A Citizen's Role in the Courts Citizen participation in the judicial system can take many forms. As a juror, witness, or crime victim, you have certain responsibilities to the court. Understanding your role can help ease any apprehension and lead to a constructive experience.
Jury duty is a common obligation of citizens.
When a notice arrives in the mail, read the instructions carefully and check the dates. The court expects every citizen to honor a jury duty summons and appear on the scheduled day. If you do have a scheduling conflict, contact the clerk and ask if the court will postpone your jury duty or excuse you. However, there is no guarantee that you will be excused from duty whatever the reason. Participation in jury duty usually lasts a week, but that does not guarantee you will be selected to serve on a jury.