Q&A for How to Dress for Jury Duty

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  • Question
    Are sneakers okay for jury duty?
    Elle Monus
    Image Consultant
    Elle Monus is an Image Consultant and the Co-Founder of True Image Group. With over 11 years of fashion industry experience, she specializes in holistic approaches to branding, size-inclusive image consulting, and personal styling. Additionally, Elle has had the opportunity to work on several New York Fashion Week shows and has been featured in multiple media outlets, such as Racked.
    Image Consultant
    Expert Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I wear jeans to jury duty?
    Elle Monus
    Image Consultant
    Elle Monus is an Image Consultant and the Co-Founder of True Image Group. With over 11 years of fashion industry experience, she specializes in holistic approaches to branding, size-inclusive image consulting, and personal styling. Additionally, Elle has had the opportunity to work on several New York Fashion Week shows and has been featured in multiple media outlets, such as Racked.
    Image Consultant
    Expert Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I wear jeans and a nice shirt?
    Community Answer
    I have worn nice, plain, dark, pressed jeans, a nice shirt and a jacket/cardigan to make an outfit.
  • Question
    Can I be excused if I am racially biased?
    Peter C
    Community Answer
    If it would mean that the defendant could not receive a fair trial, then you would not be selected.
  • Question
    Is it required for your employer to pay you for jury duty?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I wear athletic shoes?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but try to avoid flashy colors. I wore black sneakers a couple weeks back.
  • Question
    Am I required to dress up?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    What should I bring with me if I have jury duty?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Are leggings appropriate for jury duty?
    Community Answer
    As part of a layer, perhaps. You should be consulting your court's guidelines on the matter regardless.
  • Question
    Are jeans appropriate?
    Community Answer
    In most cases, probably not. Review your court's dress code.
  • Question
    I have a planned and paid for vacation out of country with family, can I be excused by the judge?
    Community Answer
    It is likely. However, bring your tickets to show the judge in case you are asked to verify this as true.
  • Question
    Will a work uniform be acceptable?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I be excused if i currently get a high wage?
    Community Answer
    No.
  • Question
    Can I bring lunch inside court?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I wear jeans and a t-shirt for jury duty?
    Community Answer
    Jeans, yes. But I'd suggest wearing a button-up shirt instead of a t-shirt so you look a little more professional.
  • Question
    Can you wear tennis shoes?
    Spaceship
    Community Answer
    Athletic shoes are prohibited in some court dress codes. You should opt for formal, closed-toed dress shoes.
  • Question
    Can I wear a tee-shirt under a suit jacket?
    Spaceship
    Community Answer
    As long as the shirt is a neutral colour, you can wear it under a neutral-coloured suit jacket.
  • Question
    Can I wear tracksuits to jury selection?
    Spaceship
    Community Answer
    If you are trying to avoid being selected as a jury member, dress casually. However, if you are trying to get selected, dress formally.
  • Question
    Can you wear joggers / sweats?
    Spaceship
    Community Answer
    Athletic wear is typically prohibited in court dress codes. Dress more formally if you have to appear in court.
  • Question
    Are blouses appropriate for jury duty?
    Spaceship
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Do the courts look at your shoes when picked for jury duty?
    Spaceship
    Community Answer
    Courts don't look at shoes but you will look more respectful if you avoid wearing casual shoes and instead wear dress shoes.
  • Question
    Can you wear sneakers?
    Spaceship
    Community Answer
    No, you should not wear casual shoes in court, they are often prohibited in courtroom dress codes. Instead, wear dress shoes.
  • Question
    Can I wear a inflatable dinosaur costume?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    I'm 78 years old. Am I too old for jury duty?
    Community Answer
    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!
  • Question
    Can I wear black heels to jury duty?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I wear a polo shirt for jury duty?
    David Smith
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How long is the day during jury duty?
    David Smith
    Community Answer
    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).
  • Question
    Can I wear high top tennis shoes for jury duty?
    David Smith
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I be excused from jury duty if I'm the sole provider?
    David Smith
    Community Answer
    Only if the person you are the primary caretaker of is unable to care for themselves.
  • Question
    Does serving on a jury previously help me get passed over?
    David Smith
    Community Answer
    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.
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