There may be very limited places to get lunch during your break. If you’re a picky eater or have special dietary concerns, bring enough food to get you through the day. There probably won’t be a refrigerator or microwave available to you, so pack things that don’t require those things, such as crackers, protein bars, or fruit. Bring healthy foods that are high in protein to keep your energy level up.
If you plan to listen to music or watch a movie, make sure to bring headphones so that only you can hear it. Many courts provide wireless internet for free or for a fee. This can be great for getting work done or catching up on emails and social media. However, the Wi-Fi may not accommodate streaming, so download anything you wish to watch ahead of time.
Some courts will give you cash to cover the expense of lunch (approximately $10). If you’re driving, you should also bring cash to cover the cost of parking meters or a garage. The court may reimburse you for this, but not all do.
Bring a light jacket, even in the summer. The courthouse may be air conditioned and could be cool. Remember that you’ll probably be sitting for long periods of time. Wear something relatively comfortable.
You may be exempt from jury duty if the distance between your home and the court is greater than a certain number of miles. Check with your local court if you think you may live too far to have to serve.
There may be places to eat in the neighborhood that you haven’t heard of. There may be a nice park or plaza where you can eat your lunch if the weather is nice. After sitting in the courtroom all day, you’ll likely be ready to stretch your legs a bit.
If the case goes to trial, or if it’s a grand jury, you could be spending quite a bit of time with these people. Be friendly and get to know them. Your fellow jurors are the only people you’ll be able to talk to much. The lawyers, witnesses, plaintiff and defendant are not allowed to socialize with you or to talk to you about the case.
The lounge will sometimes have vending machines, coffee, or even a movie playing.
If jury duty would truly cause you financial hardship, be honest about that. Just remember that other people may be in the same boat. If you’re unemployed or underemployed, you may actually be making more money by serving on a jury.
During breaks, go outside and stretch your legs. Take a short walk, if you can. Drink water. It will help keep you alert and awake. If you have time in the morning exercise before heading to court. It will give you more energy for the day.
Listen carefully to all instructions given to you by the judge. Always ask questions if you don’t understand something. Pay close attention to any educational videos they show you. Even if they’re boring, they’re meant to be informative.
If the circumstances of a case are personally triggering to you, make sure the judge or the attorneys know that. You may be excused. Learn grounding and meditation techniques to use after each day, or after the trial is over. Some districts offer counseling services for jurors after the trial is over.
