New Yorkers receive letters in the mail every few years from their local commissioner of jurors summoning them to state court for jury duty. The notice can evoke a sense of dread for some people, followed by a series of questions: Will I get in trouble for missing work? Do I need to call a babysitter? What if I don’t feel capable of serving on a jury?
Gothamist has the answers to some of the most common questions about state jury service.
What is jury duty?
Jury duty is a central tenet of American democracy, with roots in the country’s founding documents. The U.S. Constitution guarantees anyone accused of a crime “the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury” in the place where the crime occurred. In criminal cases, a jury’s job is to listen to all the evidence and decide whether prosecutors proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of a crime. In civil trials, jurors decide whether someone who has been sued is liable — in other words, whether they are responsible for harming another person or entity — based on a preponderance of the evidence.
If the jury can’t reach a verdict, the case may be tried again.
What should I expect if I’m summoned to court?
While the process is fairly standardized in New York state courts, the logistics vary somewhat from county to county, so you should refer to the information on your summons or check in with your local commissioner of jurors. In Queens, for instance, potential jurors who receive a summons are asked to call the court over the weekend and find out whether they’ll be needed on Monday. If not, then they’re supposed to keep calling every night for one week. If they still haven’t been called by Friday, then they’re off the hook.
If you are actually called into court, your summons should provide contact information for an official who will tell you where to go and what time you should be there. Make sure you check the address of the courthouse, as each borough has…
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