Q&A for How to Dress for Jury Duty

It's better to choose something a little dressier. For guys, dress shoes or boots will do just fine; for women, some flats or low heels are okay.

You might be able to get away with wearing jeans if you live in a more rural area—just make sure that they're nice and paired with a dressier shirt or blazer.

I have worn nice, plain, dark, pressed jeans, a nice shirt and a jacket/cardigan to make an outfit.

If it would mean that the defendant could not receive a fair trial, then you would not be selected.

Federally, FLSA does not require your employer to pay you for jury duty. Many companies do, though, and local authorities may have specific requirements as well.

Yes, but try to avoid flashy colors. I wore black sneakers a couple weeks back.

Not necessarily. It really depends if you want to get selected or not. If you want to get selected, dress professionally. If not, dressing casually might reduce your chances of getting selected.

Something to entertain yourself. You may wait a long time. A book, a small hobby, or electronics (and their chargers) are all fairly common. Just be aware that you will need to turn electronic devices off when entering the courtroom.

As part of a layer, perhaps. You should be consulting your court's guidelines on the matter regardless.

In most cases, probably not. Review your court's dress code.

It is likely. However, bring your tickets to show the judge in case you are asked to verify this as true.

That depends on your court's guidelines. In most cases it would be better to err on the side of more formal attire, especially if you intend on being selected.

No.

Inside court, no. But you probably can for jury selection. You may be able to pack a lunch and leave it in a back room designated for jurors.

Jeans, yes. But I'd suggest wearing a button-up shirt instead of a t-shirt so you look a little more professional.

It could be short or long depending on whether they need you in a particular court and whether you get struck (singled out not to serve by the Judge, prosecutor, or the defense in a criminal case) in voir dire (a preliminary examination of a witness or a juror by a judge or counsel).

As long as it has a collar. Pullover shirts are not something you'd want to wear unless you really don't want to be there in the first place.

Yes they are dress shoes. Just make sure you can actually walk in them comfortably and they are comfortable while sitting. It is inadvisable if they are open toe.

If you're 75 or older, you should get excused upon request. So, yes. But if you still want to be in jury duty, go for it!

Likely, no. Generally jurors are selected if they dress modestly and appropriately for the occasion, but i doubt that an inflatable dinosaur costume would be appropriate, unless the defendant happened to be a dinosaur, but in that case it may be seen that you have a bias toward dinosaurs.

No, you should not wear casual shoes in court, they are often prohibited in courtroom dress codes. Instead, wear dress shoes.

Courts don't look at shoes but you will look more respectful if you avoid wearing casual shoes and instead wear dress shoes.

Blouses are appropriate to wear for jury duty as long as they are neutral colored, like white, gray, navy blue. Flashy colors are often prohibited in court dress codes.

Athletic shoes are prohibited in some court dress codes. You should opt for formal, closed-toed dress shoes.

As long as the shirt is a neutral colour, you can wear it under a neutral-coloured suit jacket.

As long as they are clean and not too flashy, then you may be able to pull it off. It really depends on the Court.

Only if the person you are the primary caretaker of is unable to care for themselves.

You don't get "passed over". However, in Texas, if you served 6 days in County Court in the preceding three months or in District Court in the last 6 months prior to being summoned, you are ineligible to serve for the term summoned.

As long as they are business casual, you're probably okay. Neat pressed new blue jeans would certainly be better than old faded ones with holes.

Yes, in some states, such as in Texas, if you are 70 years of age or older you are exempt from jury service. If you have health issues or disabilities, you may also be excused; talk to the Court Registrar about it.