Jury Duty In Bismarck/Mandan – Do YOU Try And Get Out Of It?

It's almost inevitable that at one point in your adult age, living here in North Dakota, coming home from work one day you'll see a notice informing you that you have been selected for jury duty! This is one of those topics at the so-called water cooler that always comes up in conversation - most people that I have come across ALWAYS say right away that "they hope to get out of it".

Jury duty should be a privilege

Few exceptions like our very own Kori B from Hot 97.5 welcome the chance to serve, and I am the same way. Eyes across the nation were all glued to the fairly recent RJR murder, as Court TV carried it. When you are on a jury, you should feel privileged. On the other hand, unfortunately, many hope never to serve.

 So, is it easy to "get out of it"?

The average person hasn't a clue how serious it is and how you just can't blow it off.

 Ndcourts has all the info you'll need in case it's your turn to be selected. If you are over the age of 18, you are eligible, and if you do receive a notice Ndcourts say "State law requires all qualified North Dakotans to serve as jurors. The court very reluctantly excuses persons from jury duty" - some may say that it is a personal hardship if they were to serve, and they absolutely can't miss work.

Will your job be protected if you miss too much work?

"State law protects your job. Your employer can't fire you, demote you, threaten you or otherwise hassle you because of jury service" reports Ndcourts - Hey good to know, but if it's a long trial, your employer probably will only pay you for so long, AND jurors are compensated for time spent, and for the mileage used from your home to the trial - but it's hardly any money at all. That is one of the biggest reasons WHY people don't want to serve - and listen if I were you, I wouldn't take the risk of just not showing up. Juryduty101 says "Prospective juror who fails to appear may be found in contempt of court, have fines imposed, and even receive a jail sentence"

I find the whole system fascinating, I was on a trial for three weeks in San Diego years ago, but I am of the minority - Do you try and get out of jury duty or do you just go along with the process and keep your fingers crossed that you won't find yourself sitting in juror seat number two - as I did.