BCD

In the three states where I practice law, it is VERY difficult to get out of jury duty. In fact, a lot of judges get p.o.'d when they listen to potential jurors argue why they should get out of it. We're all busy and it is an inconvenience to serve - but it is a civic duty.

When I was called to serve and when I've had clients who can't serve w/o major inconvenience, I've asked (and been granted) the right to serve on grand jury as opposed to the regular jury duty (petit jury). At least in the states where I practice, the grand jury meets on a regular basis at regular times (e.g., every Thursday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.) for a few months. With this sort of schedule, you can at least plan for it so it isn't as disruptive to your schedule. This is unlike the traditional jury pool where you show up one day and - like InTransition's teacher - could be told with no advance warning that you are sitting on a trial every day for the next two months. I've also had the court agree to push the jury duty service back until the next time they empanel a jury pool (typically every three or four months), if the client was particularly busy (e.g., in the middle of a large transaction, having surgery).

Most people find jury duty really interesting and I think it is something everyone should do. When I served, they gave everyone a tour of the court and jail facilities. You also get to hear some wild stuff and see some talented and no-so-talented attorneys in action.