Staten Island, New York – Jury duty is an essential civic obligation for Americans, but it is often met with reluctance. Prospective jurors in Staten Island have been known to resort to all sorts of unconventional excuses, such as claiming their skin spontaneously combusts every month or insisting they are unable to multitask due to being in a relationship. To ease the burden of jury service and address common questions, Gothamist, an online publication, has provided answers to some of the most pressing inquiries regarding jury service in the city.
The first question many people have upon receiving a summons in the mail is, “What now?” The answer varies depending on the county of residence. In some areas, individuals must contact the court the night before their scheduled service to determine if they are required to appear. In other jurisdictions, they simply need to show up. Once at the courthouse, after passing through security and checking in, prospective jurors are typically shown informational videos about jury service and the court system. Afterward, they may be called into a courtroom, where lawyers and a judge engage in a process known as “voir dire,” assessing the potential jurors’ ability to impartially consider the facts of the case. Questions may revolve around the jurors’ familiarity with the defendant, any connection to law enforcement, or even their previous employment of a nanny.
While attorneys have the right to exclude certain individuals from serving on a jury if they believe those individuals cannot be impartial, they are prohibited from discriminatory practices based on race, gender, religion, or other protected attributes. Audrey Pheffer, Queens County Commissioner of Jurors, emphasizes the goal of ensuring that individuals spend only one day in court if they are not chosen to serve on a jury. If selected, they serve for the duration of one trial.
Eligibility to serve on a jury is determined by several factors. Generally, individuals are eligible every six years for both state and federal courts. Additionally, they must be 18 years or older, U.S. citizens, and residents of the county in which they receive the jury summons. Fluency in English is also a requirement. However, New York prohibits individuals with felony convictions from serving on a jury unless they possess a certificate of good conduct. The New York Civil Liberties Union has filed a class-action lawsuit challenging this ban, asserting that it disproportionately affects Black residents and violates the Constitution.
Regarding what jurors can bring to court, guns and large bags of groceries are, unsurprisingly, prohibited. However, cellphones or tablets are allowed for use in the waiting area. In the courtroom, they must be silenced and stowed away. Snacks are also permitted in moderation, and jurors may take a lunch break. When entering the court building, security measures include removing jackets and belts and emptying pockets. It is advisable to allocate extra time for these procedures, as lines can be long.
Jury duty has acquired a reputation for being tedious, but efforts have been made to ameliorate the experience. Stephen Fiala, commissioner of jurors in Richmond County, recalls the days of sitting in a dingy basement with limited seating, watching talk shows on flimsy televisions. However, since 1994, changes have been implemented to shorten jury stints, improve courthouse conditions, and enhance the demeanor of court employees. According to Pheffer, many people summoned for jury duty in current times find the experience surprisingly positive once they understand their role and the purpose behind it.
For those who are unable to fulfill their jury duty obligation on the assigned date, there are options available. They can use an online form or call a designated number to request a postponement. Failure to appear initially grants individuals a second chance without legal consequences; however, repeated noncompliance can result in fines or being held in contempt of court. Some individuals successfully demonstrate their inability to serve due to medical or financial reasons. Yet, creativity sometimes takes center stage when individuals come up with unique excuses, such as claiming a neighbor who steals their mail prevents them from receiving notices to serve.
Concerns about missing work for jury duty are addressed by the law. Employers are prohibited from punishing or firing employees who must be absent for this civic duty, as long as they provide advance notice. In New York, individuals on jury duty receive remuneration. Payment varies based on the job type and pay structure, with some employers continuing regular payments and others receiving $40 per day from the state. A proposed measure in the state Legislature aims to increase the daily pay for jurors to $72.
New York’s jury pool draws from five public databases to ensure diversity in potential jurors. By using names randomly selected from these sources, officials determine eligibility for jury duty and form jury panels. The state’s extensive reach in its selection process seeks to assemble juries with a wide range of perspectives, ensuring a more informed decision-making process during deliberations.
For more information on jury duty, individuals can visit the official website of New York state’s juror services department. The website, nyjuror.gov, offers detailed guidance and resources for prospective jurors.