A lot changes when you turn 18 in the United States of America. Legally, you’re considered an adult, and that status comes with a list of new rights and responsibilities: You can vote, get married without parental consent, enlist in the military, and buy a lottery ticket in most states. But that’s not all: If you’re an American citizen, jury duty is officially on the table, too.
While jury duty is an important part of the American justice system, some states allow certain citizens to opt out of the process. Most recently, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law that will let elderly men and women who are 80 or older bow out of jury service for health reasons. Florida and Texas also allow jury duty exemptions for elderly citizens over the age of 70 and 75, respectively. But if some folks can simply opt out, is jury duty really that important?
What Exactly is Jury Duty?
Under the Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution, anyone accused of a crime is guaranteed “the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State…” This means the American people get a direct say in how justice is carried out in the US — it’s not only up to the government. But who makes up that jury? Ordinary American citizens 18 and older do. Americans can be called to court to hear a criminal case, review the evidence, and help decide the verdict. This process is called jury duty.
Not everyone who is called for jury duty ultimately serves as a juror — some people are dismissed during the jury selection process. One reason a potential juror might be dismissed is if they know someone involved in the case, which could make it difficult to remain impartial during the trial.
Jurors are typically paid for their time, though the amount depends on the state. In Washington, for instance, jurors may receive $10 to $25 a day. Employers in the state must also give workers enough time off to serve on a jury. People called for jury duty can sometimes ask the court for special accommodations if a disability or personal responsibility, such as caring for children, makes serving difficult.
‘The Heart and Lungs of Liberty’
The Founding Fathers believed jury trials were important because they protected individual freedom and helped keep the government’s power in check. In a 1788 letter to his fellow patriot Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which government can be held to the principles of its constitution.”
More than a decade earlier in 1774, John Adams called representative government and trial by jury “the heart and lungs of liberty.” “Without them we have no other fortification against being ridden like horses, fleeced like sheep, worked like cattle and fed and clothed like swine and hounds,” Adams added.
Why This Matters
Jury duty matters because it upholds the people’s role in the justice system and helps ensure that legal decisions are not decided by the government alone. Jury duty serves as a reminder that the United States was created by the people and for the people. It’s important to remember that ordinary Americans are not just governed by the system — they are also an important part of making it work.
4 Questions
The story, in brief
What is jury duty in the United States?
Jury duty is the process in which American citizens age 18 and older can be called to court to hear a criminal case, review the evidence, and help decide the verdict. It is part of the constitutional right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury.
Why did the Founding Fathers think jury trials were important?
The Founding Fathers believed jury trials protected individual freedom and helped keep government power in check. Thomas Jefferson said trial by jury was an anchor that could hold government to constitutional principles, and John Adams called representative government and trial by jury the heart and lungs of liberty.
Who can be excused from jury duty in some states?
Some states allow certain citizens to opt out of jury service. California now lets people age 80 or older bow out for health reasons, while Florida and Texas allow exemptions for elderly citizens over age 70 and 75, respectively.
What happens if someone is called for jury duty but cannot serve?
Not everyone who is called for jury duty ends up serving as a juror. Some people are dismissed during jury selection, such as when they know someone involved in the case, and others can ask the court for special accommodations if a disability or personal responsibility makes serving difficult.
