In New Jersey, the law requires employers to provide unpaid time off for employees summoned to serve on a jury. While this leave is not compensated, employers are prohibited from penalizing or otherwise disadvantaging employees for fulfilling their civic duty.
Pros and cons of trial by jury Pro: ensures representation. Con: jurors can be biased. Pro: boosts public confidence. Con: hung verdicts. Pro: checks on power. Con: expensive and time consuming.
They have the opportunity to learn a great deal about the legal system and about the particular subject matter of the trial. They also may make some good friends during the course of their service. Court officials are careful to treat jurors courteously and professionally.
If you have been convicted of a felony when the conviction has not been set aside or a pardon issued. If you are a judge, clerk of a district court, a sheriff, or a jailer. If your spouse has been summoned for the same jury panel. If you or your spouse have a pending jury trial in any court.
By law, the courts will excuse from jury duty anyone with a mental or physical condition that would keep them from serving as a juror. There is not an exemption based on age, but you may request to be excused if you have a hardship that would make it difficult to serve.
However, most jurors find that the experience is positive. They have the opportunity to learn a great deal about the legal system and about the particular subject matter of the trial. They also may make some good friends during the course of their service.