District Court Jury
You've been selected as a potential juror! 
What is jury duty and why do we have it? Jury duty is when ordinary people called jurors listen to a case and decide the facts in accordance with the principles of law. Jurors are public servants who protect our Constitutional right to be tried by impartial peers. Serving as a juror is one of the highest honors our country bestows on its citizens.
A person is competent to serve on a jury if that person is a citizen of the United States; at least 18 years old; has been a resident of the city, town, or county in which that person has been summoned for at least 30 days; and hasn’t been convicted of malfeasance in office or any felony or other high crime.
If you’ve been summoned to report for jury duty, there are some important expectations to keep in mind. First, Court is a place that demands respect. A business casual dress code is necessary. Shorts, tank-tops, flip-flops, and shirts with offensive slogans are barred. Individuals dressed in stained or torn clothing will not be permitted to enter. Accessories such as hats and sunglasses shall not be worn in the Courtroom. Weapons are prohibited. Those who violate these rules will be prosecuted as permitted by law.
When you arrive for jury duty, you will check in at the front table with the Law Clerk. Checking in requires you show your jury summons, sign where the Law Clerk directs you to, confirm your mileage, and update your address if needed.
After checking in, you will go through security at the direction of law enforcement and/or the Bailiff. This includes emptying your pockets and submitting to a body scan via metal detector.
Once through security, you will enter the Courtroom and take a seat in the Gallery until all the summoned jurors have arrived. Cell phones must be silent and put away. You are permitted a non-alcoholic drink as long as it has a lid, but food and gum are prohibited unless given express permission by the Judge prior to reporting. You may not approach the lawyers or Court staff. If you have a question, ask the Law Clerk or Bailiff. If you have a condition that requires access to a refrigerator, let the Law Clerk know.
Once all the summoned jurors have arrived, jury selection will begin. The Judge will go over rules and expectations then the Clerk of Court will call a random selection of individuals to sit in the jury box and available chairs at the front of the Courtroom. This does not mean these individuals have been chosen as the final jury or that you are free to leave if you have not been called. The judge and the lawyers will ask questions that the chosen individuals will answer out loud or privately in chambers. Even if you have not been initially chosen, you should pay attention to the questions as you may be called later to answer them. Depending on the answers to these questions, the jury members will be selected.
During this time, you are not permitted to be on your phone or otherwise ignore the proceedings. This process may take several hours. The Judge will take breaks to allow individuals to stretch and use the restroom. Potential jurors are not permitted to leave the Courtroom without permission, even those who are seated in the Gallery.
Once a final jury has been selected, the remaining summoned jurors are free to go at the direction of the Judge.