Yesterday I took part in jury duty. Jury duty is an obligation of citizens of the United States who are over the age of eighteen, a resident of the specific county in which you are called for duty, and able to speak and communicate in English. When you are called for jury duty you are expected to go. This responsibility should be taken seriously and if you do not attend then you will be fined by the state.
Many people think that jury duty is a real pain in the neck because you have to miss work for at least a day if not more. Other people can’t bear to go to jury duty because they feel that it is a waste of valuable time. When you go to jury duty you are placed in a large room with many other people from all walks of life. In this room you wait, and wait, and wait and WAIT! It feels like an eternity! Finally they begin calling people’s names. If your name gets called then you are now a prospective juror for a case. (A juror is someone who, along with other citizens, is called to listen to and decide on a legal case.) The next part of the process is to be questioned by the judge and the lawyers for both the defendant and the plaintiff in the case. These questions can range from very personal questions about your family to impersonal questions regarding the law. After the questioning session the lawyers and judge decide who they would like on the jury. If you are chosen then you are expected to show up at court until the case is closed. If you are not chosen then you are usually free to go. Although many people think that jury duty is a waste of time it is actually a very important responsibility of a United States citizen. It is our civic duty to take part in the government of our country as well as our state.
Vocabulary
1. Citizen- (noun)- an inhabitant of a city, state, or country.
2. Jury- (noun)- group of people whose goal is to determine a verdict in a court case.
3. Communicate-(verb)- to give or interchange thoughts
4. “pain in the neck”- (adj)-to be annoying or troublesome
5. Prospective- (adj)- likely or potential
6. Plaintiff- (noun)- person who brings suit in court
Exercises
1. There are usually twelve people on a _______________.
2. The _____________ sued the defendant in court for five thousand dollars.
3. Some people feel that wasting their day at court is a real _________________.
4. The ____________ jury candidates were questioned by the lawyers.
5. ____________ of the United States who are over eighteen are expected to take part in jury duty.
6. How would you like to ___________ your message?
Many people think that jury duty is a real pain in the neck because you have to miss work for at least a day if not more. Other people can’t bear to go to jury duty because they feel that it is a waste of valuable time. When you go to jury duty you are placed in a large room with many other people from all walks of life. In this room you wait, and wait, and wait and WAIT! It feels like an eternity! Finally they begin calling people’s names. If your name gets called then you are now a prospective juror for a case. (A juror is someone who, along with other citizens, is called to listen to and decide on a legal case.) The next part of the process is to be questioned by the judge and the lawyers for both the defendant and the plaintiff in the case. These questions can range from very personal questions about your family to impersonal questions regarding the law. After the questioning session the lawyers and judge decide who they would like on the jury. If you are chosen then you are expected to show up at court until the case is closed. If you are not chosen then you are usually free to go. Although many people think that jury duty is a waste of time it is actually a very important responsibility of a United States citizen. It is our civic duty to take part in the government of our country as well as our state.
Vocabulary
1. Citizen- (noun)- an inhabitant of a city, state, or country.
2. Jury- (noun)- group of people whose goal is to determine a verdict in a court case.
3. Communicate-(verb)- to give or interchange thoughts
4. “pain in the neck”- (adj)-to be annoying or troublesome
5. Prospective- (adj)- likely or potential
6. Plaintiff- (noun)- person who brings suit in court
Exercises
1. There are usually twelve people on a _______________.
2. The _____________ sued the defendant in court for five thousand dollars.
3. Some people feel that wasting their day at court is a real _________________.
4. The ____________ jury candidates were questioned by the lawyers.
5. ____________ of the United States who are over eighteen are expected to take part in jury duty.
6. How would you like to ___________ your message?
Grammar
I discussed how jury duty is one civic duty of a United States citizen. There are also many other civic duties. Please research another civic duty of a United States citizen and write a paragraph. The paragraph should include what the civic duty is and why it is important to fulfill this obligation.
Great topic! I like your explanation of it as a civic duty.
ReplyDelete"it is actually a very important responsibility of a United States citizen. It is our civic duty to take part in the government of our country as well as our state."
ReplyDeleteI agree with Prof. Nenchin! Recognizing that this is one small way we can actively participate in a civic role is very important.
Of course, I am the guy who desperately wanted to get on a jury to do my part, but they threw me out because they thought I was biased. :(
Great Job! I also think that jury duty is a important job to help our society but I don't look forward to being part it.
ReplyDelete