What would you wear for Jury Duty?

@reinydawn (11643)
United States
July 2, 2009 9:21pm CST
As some of you know, I was summonsed for jury duty this past week. I was really shocked when people showed up in jeans, t-shirts, tank top, and things like that. First of all, in our instruction form we got it SPECIFICALLY said NOT to wear those items. But people did anyways... I also think it's a bit disrespectful to go to the courthouse like that when you are supposed to be representing the legal system (in a sense). I was just really shocked by this and was wondering if you have had the same experiences.
5 people like this
13 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Jul 09
Well I've never been involved with being on jury duty but yes I would think one should "dress" up a bit, at least with women maybe wear nice dress slacks rather than jeans and a nice blouse. I was involved with a court case in 2006 and uh, yup did wear jeans but would make sure they were freshly washed, and a nice blouse. The only posted rules they had posted outside each jury room was to NOT wear shorts, tank tops and hats--most people hanging around the court area waiting their turn for their session were in jeans though---If you want to hear something funny...there was one time I appeared in a nice pair of collates but then wondered if they could be viewed as shorts even though they were sort of a skirt--I tried to keep my legs together the whole time to make them look more like a skirt.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I don't think it matters as much when you're in the trial, although when my kids appeared in court I made sure they looked nice - no t-shirt, with clean jeans that weren't TOOO baggy... It would also depend on what you were there for... One of the witnesses was a subcontractor and he had on jeans and polo shirt, which is way dressed up from what I'm sure he would normally wear to work. But when you're on the jury, you're representing the court system and I think you should dress appropriately. Especially when you're already given notice on how to dress. And I'm sure you looked fine in court :)
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
3 Jul 09
It is definitely disrespectful to wear such casual clothing to court! Even if jurors weren't told specifically not to wear these things, no one should show up in court like that. I was called for jury duty five times in my life but I only served on a jury once. When I was getting ready to go, I dressed as I would if I worked in an office. (I worked from home so I actually dressed nicer than I usually did.) Appearance should not make any difference but grooming definitely makes a difference. It's a sad world we live in if all those who wore jeans and t-shirts had nothing better to wear. I think everyone should have at least one set of good clothing. Both of my sons each have a nice suit, a couple of button-down shirts and a good pair of shoes. You just never know when they'll be needed or simply appropriate. Good grooming shows respect, not only to the court, but to the accused. It shows professionalism. It says "I'm not just another dumb idiot off the streets." I would also be very shocked to see someone on a jury wearing a tank top! That is absolutely out of the question! I think they should have been sent home, rescheduled for another trial and told that they had better not show up in another tank top! But, that's just my opinion.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I totally agree. I was just really shocked to see it, and they acted like they weren't doing anything wrong. I know jury duty is a pain in the behind and nobody really wants to do it. But, it's part of living in this country and I think we should respect that. Not many people do, all they do is complain...
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
8 Jul 09
If I am going to be seen in public, I wear slacks or now that it is hot I wear capris, and I wear a nice top. Sturdy shoes. I would wear what I also wear to work. That is me. And if the preliminary paperwork said not to wear something, well of course I would not wear it.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
10 Jul 09
It's amazing how many people didn't read the info provided...
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
7 Jul 09
I guess I'd have to show up naked then because my wardrobe consists of jeans, T-shirts, and tank tops. I'm not a dressy kind of gal and I can't see spending good money on an outfit that would only be for that purpose. Fortunately I can't go to jury duty for a few reasons, so I guess the courts don't have anything to worry about. I have to add that I don't see anything wrong with wearing jeans and T-shirts to a courthouse so long as they aren't ripped, holey, have inappropriate sayings, etc.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
7 Jul 09
Hmmm.... I'm trying to think if I know anyone that would also have to wear jeans... I HAVE to dress up for my job or I'd probably only own one pair of slacks, although I'd have summer dresses still... My sister doesn't dress for work - she works in a warehouse - but she does have some khakis... Even my friend who cleans people's houses has a pair of dress pants for weddings and stuff... This is a first though, and you're right, there's no way you'd want to spend money on clothes for one day... Hey!!! Wear your "bikini"!!!!
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
8 Jul 09
I don't think I threw out my paper yet, I'm going to have to check that one out!!!!
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
8 Jul 09
Now there's a thought! LOL But aren't bathing suits on the list of what not to wear? Or did they forget to put it on there?
1 person likes this
@khayshenz (1384)
• United States
3 Jul 09
Ahhh - very interesting discussion. When i was summoned last - I wore a dark-wash trouser-type jeans with heels and a top/blouse that I would wear to professional meetings. I didn't want to appear too dressed up nor too dressed down either. I think that one should look presentable (tank tops are NOT presentable) when one appears in court. And I agree with you. However, some people just don't care how they look in the outside. They don't think that it first impression doesn't matter. *shrugs*
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
3 Jul 09
The second day I was tempted to wear shorts because I knew I wasn't going back to work afterwards. But I knew it wasn't the right thing to do so I wore the same clothes I'd wear to work.
1 person likes this
@FFFrocks (306)
• Canada
3 Jul 09
pvc skirt, hooker heels, and my spiked collar. k, just kidding. casual work dress, pants or a skirt with a blouse.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
3 Jul 09
HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! I LOVE IT!!!! Actually, that would be really funny to see, because I guess for some people that is their "work" clothes!!!
1 person likes this
@royal52gens (5488)
• United States
3 Jul 09
What would I wear?? I would first put on a pair of clean underwear. LOL Then I would put on a clean bra. Ummmm, deodorant. Then a respectable outfit. Ohhhh, oops. I forgot my shoes. LOL
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
4 Jul 09
Actually, I wore dirty clothes on Thursday because I didn't want to wear a skirt. I only wear my clothes to work usually then take them off as soon as I get home. All I'm doing at work is sitting behind a desk so my clothes weren't really dirty, just already worn.
@dreamr802 (985)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I wouldn't wear jeans and t-shirts. I'd probably wear a nice pair of khaki capris and a cute shirt or something like that. Something dressy casual. That is how people where I use to work dressed.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
4 Jul 09
If I hadn't been gaining so much weight I would have been able to wear something like that too, but I had to stick with my normal work clothes - business-style. A lot of people had the khakis and dress tops, I wish I coulda been one of them!
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I would wear something neat and clean and probably something that would be acceptable in an office. I would not think of wearing a tank top or jeans. You would think people would not even have to be told how to dress for something like this but the fact that they were told and chose to ignore it is completely disrespectful. Was anything said to them about their appearance? I don't know. It really shouldn't matter what people wear but it just seems that for something like this you'd be a bit more concious of what you are wearing.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
4 Jul 09
I don't know if they were told anything when they arrived, but I do know that this one guy was at least on his second day because he was already on a jury. He should have known better, but what are they going to do when they need him on the jury, they can't kick him off. They coulda delayed the court until he went home and changed though - that would have been a mess!
@sameroad (3179)
• United States
4 Jul 09
I would wear something nice but I don't have any dress clothes really and I wouldn't borrow any. I would just wear a nice pair of shorts and a nice t-shirt. I would hope not to get picked anyway. lol I was summonsed for jury duty recently but i didn't go because I have social anxiety. I was summonsed last year too but didn't go for the same reason... my dad was summonsed at the same time as me recently. he went dressed in his work clothes and had a case.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
4 Jul 09
It is kinda interesting to be on a trial, even to be there while they're picking the jury is kinda neat. Although it is a hassle sometimes.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I haven't been called for Jury Duty Yet, but when I do, I'll be wearing slacks or something like that, something comfortable and SOMETHING THAT IS FOR THE RULES. I don't know how the jury duty system works. I don't live in a highly populated county so I don't know that I'll ever get called for Jury Duty. Can they call you if you've lived in another county, can that county call you? Can you refuse under pretense that you don't live there no more? lol.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
4 Jul 09
They're supposed to use a combination of your drivers license and voter registration information. If you have updated them both, they'll get you in the right county. If you've moved, one of the first questions they ask is if you still like in that county. I think you can only serve for the county you live in - not sure about a grand jury though...
@katsmeow1213 (28719)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I've been summoned for Jury Duty twice... and I'm only 29... some people go their whole lives... how lucky am I?? LOL Anyways, the first time I was summoned, I was pregnant at the time, I think about 5 months or so. I've never had a whole lot of money to go buying a really nice wardrobe, even when I'm not pregnant, so I showed up in whatever I had, which was probably a t-shirt and maternity jeans. The second time I was summoned was when I'd just had a baby (obviously different baby, it was 4 years later). I called and told them my son was only 2 weeks old and I couldn't leave him with a sitter, so they let me off Jury Duty for the next 4 years. That child is 3 now.. how much do you want to bet I'll get another summons in about a year?
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
4 Jul 09
Oh sure, I can see if you are pregnant or have had like leg surgery or something that would cause your wardrobe to be limited. That would make sense... It was actually mostly guys that were wearing jeans...
@suzzy3 (8342)
6 Jul 09
I have never done jury service and hope never to have to.If I did smart would be my choice after all it is a serious matter deciding someones future,if you send them to prison or have the worry of letting a guilty person walk free.Maybe a few of them were hoping not to be picked.A smart suit or a skirt and jacket and a nice blouse.Smart shoes as well.They say you should dress for the occasion and this occasion calls for smart not casual,deciding someones guilt should not be casual it is serious business.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
7 Jul 09
You are so right - this is serious business, so you should dress seriously...