In the past, many persons were automatically exempt or excused for occupational reasons. Public employees, professionals, veterans, and police officers were among those who were not required to serve on jury duty. Occupation is no longer a reason for exemption. The United States Constitution guarantees the right of trial to any person accused of a crime. In addition, citizens rely upon jurors for the protection of life, liberty, and property.
Jurors aid in the maintenance of law and order.
Your presence as a juror is invaluable. On occasion, you may be required to wait for what seems a long time, but your attendance makes possible the operation of many important phases of trial procedure. Your absence would cause all these proceedings to be delayed. Those who serve as jurors are participating in one of the fundamental institutions of democracy. An employer may not deprive an employee of his or her employment, or threaten or otherwise coerce a person because the employee received a subpoena, responded, and served as a juror.