The jury is out: Prospective panelists weigh in on service in Queens

Jurors on their lunch break at Queens Civil Court spoke with the Eagle about their experience. Eagle file photo by Phineas Rueckert.

By Rachel Vick

Citizen participation is a cornerstone of American democracy, but jury duty is an oft-dreaded occasion for people worried about how service will affect their work, education or vacation plans. 

But like death and taxes, eventually all citizens get the call to come to court — and many find that they even enjoy it.

In Queens, prospective jurors and selected panelists spend their lunch break in the square outside of the Civil Courthouse in Jamaica, taking in a breath of fresh air before continuing the long process.

Jury service is mandatory to ensure that defendants are tried by their peers, and all citizens over age 18 are required to serve — or at least provide a good excuse as to why they cannot. Individuals selected for jury duty may wait for hours in a room before being called for further questioning to determine whether or not they are a good fit for a jury. Though they are required to report early in the morning, participants might be subject to an all-day ordeal — longer if they’re chosen for a jury.

One juror said Monday that even though she didn’t mind serving, she thought it was unfair that people are expected to drop everything and come to court. 

Another 31-year-old juror from Flushing said that jury duty is a fair obligation that citizens should fulfill to their greatest ability, but she has reservations about the expectations the system has for participants.

“I wish there was more notice — we have lives,” she said. “New Yorkers are busy. I flew back from another country for [jury duty].” 

There are regulations in place that allow for jurors to postpone service, but not everyone is aware of what they entail or understand that postponement is an option: they just know they have to serve.

For some, the biggest issue with the process is insufficient compensation. Many businesses have stipulations that allow employees to receive their standard salary, but many others do not. 

“I don’t know what [everyone who serves] lives are like, but if they’re only paying $40 that’s too low — you’re taking time off work,” the juror from Flushing said.

Those who work at small businesses or whose pay is dependent on work completed might have to deal with lost wages, but judge’s are typically understanding and cut people lose if service interferes with their livelihood. 

Many jurors said they were unsure of what compensation for their service would even look like.

“My job pays me, so I guess I’m lucky,” said a Jackson Heights resident called to serve Monday. “I don’t know the specifics on compensation, but if companies don’t [pay], that’s a shame because you have no choice

A 60-year-old woman from Rochdale Village said that serving on a jury should be voluntary. She compared the requirement to a mother making her children eat vegetables. For her, the legal obligation of jury duty becomes associated with dread rather than as positive democratic participation. 

“When someone is forced to do something they have negative associations with it affects their performance,” she said. “You grew up and understood why you had to eat [vegetables] but that doesn’t always change how you feel about them.”

At the end of the day, however, serving is a legal obligation and so some jurors just try to make the best of it. 

One juror from Forest Hills said that her opinions of the process were formed by her father’s passion for participating.

“It can be scary it can be annoying, but it’s important,” she said.