Jury Duty

[JRB]

Consider this; when I had jury duty last year I wasn't even selected as one of the jurors yet I had to sit for approximately 4 hours before I was dismissed. In fact, sitting was all I did. Personally I would not want to sit for that long wearing my kilt. First of all there is a good chance that I'd mess up my pleats. Secondly, sitting atop 8+ yards of pleated wool can feel kind of lumpy after a while. I love my tank and find it more comfy than trousers in a lot of situations, but sitting in a hard chair for extended periods of time isn't one of them (I don't own a casual non-wool kilt so I don't know how they are for sitting). Just for practical reasons I would avise against it.

[Braveheart88]

It depends entirely on the judge & the context.

What level of court is this? City, federal, what? You should have some written instructions beforehand. Usually that includes hints about dress and decorum. I would recommend asking beforehand.

Tell us more, but your best info probably comes from the courthouse directly. Best wishes.

- Ken

The only thing they said in the summons about clothing was that I should bring a jacket or sweater because the court room was usually cool :P

Consider this; when I had jury duty last year I wasn't even selected as one of the jurors yet I had to sit for approximately 4 hours before I was dismissed. In fact, sitting was all I did. Personally I would not want to sit for that long wearing my kilt. First of all there is a good chance that I'd mess up my pleats. Secondly, sitting atop 8+ yards of pleated wool can feel kind of lumpy after a while. I love my tank and find it more comfy than trousers in a lot of situations, but sitting in a hard chair for extended periods of time isn't one of them (I don't own a casual non-wool kilt so I don't know how they are for sitting). Just for practical reasons I would avise against it.

Both the kilts I own are non-wool and their fine for sitting in.

[Hamish]

I think you will find that, over the years, several of our kilted brethren here have actually done their July service whilst kilted. Personally, I would wear the kilt (because I do not own trousers at all, I am not going out to buy a pair especially, now am I?!) but I would make sure I was smartly - not formally but business-like - dressed for the occasion. Here in the UK I would certainly wear a jacket and tie - I think it would be expected - but maybe in Florida these things are treated differently.

I have done Jury Service twice, once about 30 years ago at Chelmsford in Essex, and once at Chichester here in Sussex about 12 years ago. Both were in the days before I thought about kilt wearing on a daily basis. Now, at almost 71, I am too old to be called. Pity, it was fascinating and educational and I'd love to do it again.

If you have any doubts, seek advice from the Court beforehand.

[ncof300d]

Two years ago I was on a Grand Jury for four months. In selection process the judge and prosecuting attorney have to review candidates before and during the selection process. There can be questions about your past as far a any possible criminal record, does your or your spouses' employment cause a conflict of interest, do you have close friends and/or relatives in legal system. These types of things are what make or break jury selection. And sometimes these types of things are mentioned just to make the public aware during the selection process to be sure that the prosecuting attorney does not leave something unexposed that someone might try and latter use against a case. For example at the time I was selected my wife worked as a legal secretary for a well known law office in the county. This law office does nothing but estate and real estate work. During the selection process the prosecuting attorney asked where my wife worked. I told him where she worked and the type of work that she did. The prosecuting attorney also mention to all those there that it was a law office which did not work on criminal cases. He did this just to show that there was no conflict of interest.

I say all of this just to say that if those involved in selecting a jury have a problem with a kilt, then they are not focusing on what is at hand and someone else needs to be doing their job.

[cessna152towser]

I wear a black kilt regularly when sitting as a District Court Assessor here in Scotland.

[pipesndrumsnun]

As kilts are formal wear, I personally see no problem with it (but, hey, I'm Church - not state...what do I know?!)

[McClef]

I would certainly wear a kilt for jury duty but I have never been asked and probably won't be.

[kallen]

They let a woman in Arkansas serve on the Whitewater trial and she wore her Feddie uniform EVERYDAY to trial. She also wears her "pajamas" to work everyday too (see Trekkies & Trekkies 2).

So, a kilt should be no problem. Now, if you want to get out of it...and who doesn't...wear the complete Mel Gibson "Braveheart" outfit w/ blue facepaint.

[Riverkilt]

In my little town we only get about three jury trials a year. A couple months ago I got called for one. I've been to court before kilted as a witness and as an expert of sorts.

Decided to wear pants for this one, just to avoid having the kilt be a focus of anything. Wound up getting selected for the final draw but didn't get drawn so was no never mind.

Pretty much your own decision about how appropriate it is for the court venue that called you and how comfy you are being kilted in such a situation.

Ron

[McMurdo]

As I am a daily kilt wearer I would wear one, so I say wear it. I would however have to echo what Hamish has said about looking smart, go in as you would for a business type affair and I would hope that you would be fine. Taking into account the climate in Florida, I would say at least wear an ironed dress shirt, matching hose with flashes, a semi dress sporran, and a dress belt and buckle.
If that was your wardrobe it would at least be very smart indeed and you would to my mind fit into any jury.