The first time I was summoned for jury duty in my adopted state of Florida, a lawyer in the jury pool told me that they would not pick either of us. He was right: when the lawyer asked me my profession it looked like both lawyers crossed out my name on their sheets and I was not picked. This kept happening until my last summons on November 12, 2024. At last, I was selected for a jury. It did turn out that I was the alternate, which might have some connection with my being a philosophy professor. The outcome of the trial made the local newspaper. I thought I would provide some useful information about jury duty and share some of what I learned.
Since I live in Leon County in Florida, my state summons brings me to the courthouse in Leon County. If you happen to live here, the same would happen to you. While the specific details vary, most courts operate in similar ways. In my case, it began with the distinctive summons via the mail. As there can be a fine and even jail time for not responding, be sure to respond even if you believe it is not your duty to do so.
In Leon County, you can respond online via the e-Response system. If you are familiar with government websites, you know what to expect; it is like a trip back to the late 1990s or early 2000s. But the software is serviceable. I recommend signing up for the text and email alerts, otherwise you will need to call the night before to learn whether you need to report or not. Because most cases do not go to trial, there is a decent chance you will not even need to report. You can also request a delay or even be excused. If you have a reasonable request, they will work with you. For example, a few years ago I had non-refundable plane tickets, and they rescheduled me for another time for service.
If you do have to report, do so. As noted above, there can be consequences for failing to report. Here in Leon County there is a juror parking lot at 123 North Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. and other courts probably have similar arrangements. There is a shuttle that goes from the lot to the courthouse. Be sure to bring your summons with you.
When you arrive, you’ll go through a process like that at the airport: your stuff will be x-rayed and you’ll walk through a metal detector. Obviously, leave any weapons at home. While courts vary, you can usually bring electronics, drinks and food to the jury selection. Once you are in the jury courtroom, you’ll get a short talk or video on jury duty and then a judge will administer an oath. After that, you’ll wait to be taken to another courtroom. My day was a busy day, with juries needed for three trials. My group consisted of 40 people, selected at random. We were then split into two groups, one of 21 people (including me) and another 19 people. The number is likely to vary with the nature of the trial.
The group of 21 was put in the juror box, while the other 19 sat in the spectator seats. Each of the 21 answered a set of questions, such as our age, marital status, profession, and whether we knew anyone involved in the trial. Next, the prosecutor and defense attorney asked us questions.
In my group, only three people were clear they did not want to be there, two said they had medical reasons, and one was a new mother. Those who were taking an unpaid day off from work also did not want to be there, since the state only pays jurors about $15 a day, something that makes jury service a real burden for some people, especially for long trials. The judge was clear that the court did not want to burden people, and he acted upon this, excusing the three people who expressed reasons why serving would be burdensome. These three were replaced from the second group, and the additions were questioned.
After this, I and six other people were selected. We were told when to report (8:30 am) and where to park (validated parking). While courts vary, we had to provide our own lunch (we could leave for lunch or stay) although snacks and drinks were provided. We could bring electronics, although we had to leave bags and such in the jury room and keep our phones off.
The prosecutor and public defender were both professional, competent and serious. The state presented a carefully considered and well evidenced case, while the defense attorney worked hard to provide the best defense possible for his client. The judge ran the courtroom with skill and compassion. My fellow jurors took their duty seriously, taking detailed notes, paying careful attention and abiding by the rules. Seeing all this helped restore some of my faith in people, despite the obvious fact that I was in a criminal trial. While there are courts that are indeed awful, my experience with Leon County courts (albeit only as a juror) has shown that we are fortunate here.
After both sides rested their cases, court adjourned and then we returned the next day. After the closing arguments, I was revealed as the alternate and had to wait outside the jury room while the bailiff retrieved my stuff. I was then escorted out of the building and returned home.
As an ethicist, I have often been critical of the bad aspects of our legal system, but this trial was conducted in a just and fair manner. This, of course, contrasts with some other aspects of our legal system. In general, it seems that across the United States marginalized people who lack power and resources suffer in the legal system as they are often targeted by the police, exploited for income, and lack the money to hire the best defense. As such, they are often the victims of the legal system. The upper classes tend to get premium justice as they are usually protected by the law and police rather than targeted and can, of course, buy the best lawyers. The folks in the middle seem to get the fairest justice, since they are not targeted and have enough resources to get a decent defense. But they lack the privileges of the upper classes and hence are subject to the law. Which is how it should be for everyone.
This is superfluous now. I was empanneled to give testimony In a civil rights charge, brought by a black female, against state government.
So, this matter came because of an employer action, actionable under state civil rights law, but not brought before state or federal court as allegation of the violation, per se, of either State or Federal law…state procedures are bandaids for folks who believe they were wronged, but do not believe that they have that “snowball’s chance” of winning. Ninety-nine percent won’t. And, don’t. Anyway, when the organizers(?) of this administrative facade decided they did not wish to hear what I might say, they released me…sent me home—I was not required to go back to work that day, and would not be called again. I knew my co-worker could not win her case…fewer than three percent do. Here is the ‘rub’: erasing her further opened the door for another employee, same race, gender and age group, to advance—which was the plan, in the first place. Fencing and Kung Fu… It is cyclical, Professor. Tbanks for your blog.
Interesting experience(s). Here are several ideas/opinions that came to mind, in no particular order and, with no priority assigned. If I understand it aright, there are two kinds of state in these United States: red states and blue states. Both of the states you and I inhabit are red ones. That translated says, of course, red states are controlled by conservative folks; blue states are liberal minded—mostly. Conservative citizens don’t care much for people who think too much. Academics and philosophers are not favored when it comes to legal matters. During the recent presidential campaign, I saw yard signs that contained one word: Kamala, with an exclamation point. Those signs were RED. Someone was confused, But, was it confusion, or, was it engineering? I have never been called to sit on a jury. Why? I think it is because a. I’m not a red voter, b. I have background in administrative law, and, c. I think too much. (I voted blue in the case of Harris, because I was not confused. I am older, but, I am not yet so confused.) There are other things I could write here; allegations I might fling. A philosopher friend summed it pretty well when he echoed the now worn phrase about the dumming down of America. I fear that is only the beginning.