Submitted by hyperseamonkey t3_1240hzw in baltimore
Got a random question about Jury Duty. I got a jury summons for the city and am able to attend on the day that I got called. However, I have a work trip that I cannot reschedule the next day. Is it better that I just reschedule my Jury Duty day or is there an opportunity to explain my situation if they are selecting jurors for a trial that goes longer than the day of?
Thanks all in advance!
munchnerk t1_jdx9r78 wrote
Is this your first time through? I had my first jury duty call last year and it was fascinating. I went through the selection process for three separate trials on my jury duty day. Each time, during the voir dire process, the judge asked jurors to come forward and explain any extenuating circumstance that would result in jury duty being a hardship.
I explained that I was involved in an active emergency response and was irreplaceable on my team, and that because I'm a contractor, I would also suffer financial hardship from jury assignment. All of which was true! As a result they didn't pick me. If something would stress you out enough that you'd be distracted from the trial, they don't want you on the jury. You could definitely go through the selection process, say "I have a work trip that I cannot reschedule tomorrow," and they'll almost certainly let you go.