If you receive a jury summons and report to the courthouse on the date and time indicated, there are a number of things you should know:

1. You are protected against employer harassment or from being fired for responding to jury service; however, you must notify your employer in advance that you received the summons. In addition, an employer cannot require a night shift worker, for example, to work during the day to replace an employee who is doing jury duty in the daytime.
2. While there is no formal dress code, prospective jurors should observe courtroom decorum and dress as they would for an office job. It is advisable to wear layers of clothing since the courtroom may be too warm or cool for some people. You should bring enough money to pay for snacks during the day, which are typically available in vending machines.
3. Some courthouses have restrictions on bringing in certain items such as cellular phones, cameras, laptop computers or other electronic equipment. If you have questions, check in advance with court personnel.
4. You will be asked to take an oath in which you promise to answer all questions truthfully. Then judges and the attorneys on both sides of the case may ask you questions. Once all jurors have responded, the judge will make the final decision about who will serve as jurors. Attorneys, however, are allowed a certain number of peremptory challenges, meaning that they can, without giving a reason, ask that certain prospective jurors be "excused" or eliminated as a juror.

If you are not accepted as a juror, you should not take the rejection as an attack on your integrity. There are many reasons why you may not have been selected, which have nothing to do with your qualifications or character.

Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations.