However, as a general rule of thumb, it is always best to err on the side of caution and dress conservatively for jury duty. When you are called for jury duty, you will likely have to spend several hours or even days in the courtroom. The policy prohibits the wearing of casual attire such as T-shirts, shorts, jeans, and flip flops. To make the experience more bearable, you should bring some snacks with you to eat while you wait. To stay comfortable and durable, look for an outfit that can be worn for extended periods of time. Please contact the Jury Coordination Office, 301 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301, (850) 606-4204, within two (2) working days of your receipt of your jury . If a juror willfully and without reasonable excuse fails to appear for jury duty, they may face contempt charges. Contact your local jury office for more information. 2023 Curated Taste. All people who are summoned to serve as jurors must attend unless they have been excused by the court. Prospective jurors are screened for certain characteristics by lawyers before being allowed to sit on a jury. However, newspapers are not permitted in the jury assembly room. Because dark colors are more formal than lighter colors, you should go with something that is appropriate for a court setting. If you are unable to complete your duties because of illness, another juror may be assigned to your place of employment. Listen to music while sitting down to a book, magazine, or earbud. Practicing attorney or physician (at discretion of court). When wearing to court, it is best to wear a sweater or jacket because courts can be extremely cold. So, make sure you leave these items at home before heading to the courthouse. Jurors must be a U.S. citizen at least 18 years of age, a resident of the State of Florida, and Manatee County, and possess a driver's license or identification card issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Finally, be sure to turn off all electronic devices before entering the courtroom. If your name is randomly selected for the jury pool through the process described above, you receive a jury summons in the mail instructing you to appear for jury selection on a pre-set day. To be exempt, depending on local laws and specific court policies, exemptions MAY include persons over age 70, and those having recently served on a jury (usually within 1-3 years depending on county policy). Employers in Florida are also forbidden from penalizing employees who miss work for jury duty. Dressing properly for jury service is essential because jury service is serious business. You may be exempt from jury duty if the distance between your home and the court is greater than a certain number of miles. This way, you can stay hydrated and fed throughout the day without leaving the courthouse. The right to trial by jury is among the principles guaranteed by the Constitution and is a crucial part of our justice system. The right to jury trial is one of the fundamental features of the criminal justice system. If you have a disability and need an accommodation in order to participate in a County program, service or public meeting, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 352-374-5275 at least 2 business days prior to the event. Grand jurors receive $20 per day. Courtroom dress code typically does not allow open-toed shoes, so avoid sandals that leave your toes exposed. What items are not allowed in the Justice Center? If released for lunch, restaurant information is available. You dont want to be too cold or hot during the day. If any of these apply to you, contact the court to verify they observe the exemption. Carrying your glasses or hearing devices will also help to ensure that you have a relaxingday. The first stage in jury selection is summoning a pool of potential jurors from the list of local citizens eligible to serve on a jury in Florida, as described above. The Texas Attorney General has made a motion to remove jurors who violate the states dress code, according to the Dallas Morning News. This information pertains to jury duty in the United States District Court (Federal Court). I love pancakes, New York City, thrifting, and bulldogs. All courthouses will allow jurors and parties to lawsuits and others who may be required to stay in the courthouse for an extended period of time to bring food and snacks into the building in appropriate containers as stated in the rules below. In England, things may happen differently. You may, however, be ordered to pay a fine if you are found guilty of a crime. Youll need to be able to see and hear well during court proceedings. Make certain that you choose a comfortable ensemble while maintaining your sense of style. Make sure to cover up your back, shoulders, and stomach. Full time law enforcement or investigative personnel. You can eat your snacks in the hallway the jury room the parking lot the grass lawn in front of the building the room with the vending machines or pretty much anywhere in the courthouse with one exception. 2023 Jury Duty 101. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Get-Power-of-Attorney-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Power-of-Attorney-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Get-Power-of-Attorney-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid6942901-v4-728px-Get-Power-of-Attorney-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"