By Michael T. Meehan
“Jury duty.” The mere phrase often conjures up thoughts of inconvenience, long hours and endless courtroom drama. For many, it feels more like a chore than an opportunity. But serving on a jury is far more significant than most people realize. It’s not just a civic responsibility. It’s a cornerstone of democracy, a rare opportunity to directly participate in the justice system and an experience that offers both personal and societal rewards.
Democracy in action: Your role in justice
When you serve on a jury, you’re stepping into a role that is fundamental to democracy in the United States. In a criminal case, the juror is our safeguard to provide a check on government actors. Think about it: You’re not just observing the legal process, you’re actively shaping it.
As a juror, you become the voice of the people—ensuring fairness, accountability and the rule of law but also as a safeguard against illegal prosecutions and convictions. As a juror, you are ensuring fairness because without jurors, the system wouldn’t function, and justice wouldn’t truly reflect the values of the community.
Why does jury duty matter?
Protecting the right to a fair trial. The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by jury. Without everyday citizens stepping up to serve, that promise would be meaningless. By participating, you ensure that someone—whether they’re accused of a crime or involved in a court process—gets a fair and impartial trial. It’s a profound way to uphold justice and protect individual rights.
Representing your community. Juries are supposed to reflect the diversity and values of the community they serve. By sitting on a jury, you bring your unique perspective to the table. Imagine the injustice if juries were composed only of people who couldn’t find an excuse to opt out. Your voice matters, and your perspective could make all the difference in reaching a fair verdict.
A jury of my peers. As an American, you are entitled to a jury of your peers. But if your peers are the people who do everything they can to avoid serving on a jury, then you do not have a jury of your peers determining how the facts apply to the law in the particular case. If you were accused of a crime or had a civil action pending, wouldn’t you want a person with your knowledge, experience and understanding on the jury weighing the evidence?
What’s in it for me? Surprising benefits of jury duty
While jury duty is often viewed as a burden, it’s worth considering the surprising benefits it can offer—some of which you might not expect.
Gain insight into the legal system. Let’s face it: Most of us know the justice system only from TV shows. Serving on a jury offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how the legal process actually works. You’ll learn how evidence is presented, how attorneys craft their arguments and how judges oversee proceedings. It’s a crash course in civics, legal reasoning and critical thinking.
Be part of history. Every trial is a unique moment in time. Whether it’s a high-profile case or a smaller civil dispute, your participation is part of a legal story that might be talked about for years to come. There’s a sense of pride and legacy in knowing you played a role in something larger than yourself.
Improve your decision-making skills. As a juror, you’re tasked with evaluating evidence, listening to testimony and deliberating with your peers to reach a verdict. You may find yourself discussing an issue where your view differs from others on a particular issue in a trial, and you will have to listen to others and how they view it. Ultimately, as the judge will instruct, you have to reach a verdict you think is correct based on your view of how the law applied to the evidence that was presented in the trial. This requires critical thinking, active listening, collaborative problem-solving and decision-making—skills that are invaluable in every aspect of life. Jury duty sharpens these abilities in ways you might not expect.
Connect with fellow citizens. Jury duty brings together people from all walks of life to reach a conclusion on an important issue unrelated to your day-to-day life. In an increasingly polarized world, sitting down with strangers to discuss complex issues can be a refreshing reminder of our shared humanity. You may even forge new friendships or gain perspectives you’d never considered before.
A break from routine. Let’s admit it: Life can sometimes feel monotonous. Jury duty, for all its challenges, offers a change of pace. It’s a chance to step outside your daily grind and engage in something meaningful and intellectually stimulating. You are also so focused on your duties as a juror that you may be able to forget about the other stressors in your life.
Common concerns about jury duty—and why they’re overblown
Many people worry that jury duty will be a waste of time, a financial burden or that they’re not qualified. But these concerns are often overblown. Trials are usually more interesting than expected, and judges prioritize jurors’ time with efficient scheduling.
Most employers must legally allow time off for jury duty, and some even offer paid leave. If needed, deferrals are possible. As for qualifications, no legal background is required—the system is designed for everyday people with common sense and fairness to apply the facts to the law and deliver justice.
How to make the most of your experience
Be open-minded: Approach your role with curiosity and humility. Remember, the goal is to be fair and impartial.
Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to seek clarification if you don’t understand something. Judges and attorneys are there to help. Some judges will allow jurors to ask witnesses questions during the trial if you need clarification of something.
Engage in deliberations: Your perspective matters. Don’t hesitate to voice your thoughts during deliberations, but also listen carefully to your fellow jurors. The goal of deliberations is for everyone to be heard and to reach a verdict that each juror can stand behind (even if the verdict is not unanimous).
Embrace the opportunity: Instead of dreading jury duty, view it as a unique chance to contribute to your community and grow as a person. Know that after serving jury duty, you will have plenty of stories to tell about your experience.
The bigger picture: Why your service matters
Serving on a jury is more than a duty—it’s a chance to support fairness, accountability and justice. It’s an opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself and to make a real impact in your community.
So the next time you receive a jury summons see it not as a burden but as a chance to contribute to the justice system and stand up for what’s right. It’s not just a responsibility—it’s an honor.
Michael T. Meehan is a former sheriff, a prosecutor and the founder of the Meehan Law Firm in California. He has over 25 years of criminal defense experience. Outside the courtroom, he is a devoted father to quadruplets, balancing family life with his passion for delivering justice and protecting his clients’ rights.
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This column reflects the opinions of the author and not necessarily the views of the ABA Journal—or the American Bar Association.
