Does being a veteran keep you from serving on a jury?

Being a vet doesn't keep you from serving on a Jury but don't be surprised if you don't make selection regardless of service record as only a small percentage of people who they call for jury duty will fit the profile that both the prosecution and defense will be looking for.

In California there is a box you can check on the back of the notice form indicating that you are on active duty and cannot serve. You can also call a number as well. Here is a link for the those serving in Monterey, CA, but it shows the statutes.

It doesn't make you exempt from being called up for jury duty, but it may make the prosecuting and/or defense lawyer think twice about you being on the jury.

I've been called up for jury duty twice now, but I was never selected as a potential juror.

Have not been on a jury since the 1980s... That said, within a year or so after getting off active duty, I was called for jury duty on a criminal case. When asked if I'd ever been on a jury I mentioned my "additional duty" as a Court Martial Panel Member for about a dozen cases in a 12-month period. "Can you distinguish between military law and civil law?" the prosecutor asked... "Yes, I passed Government in high school with an A..." And I was on...

up to the attoorneys during jury selection

I have been call a dozen times in the last 16 years since I retired from the Army and have always been dismissed because of being a vet. This means taking off from being a Special Ed. teacher at a High School and finding a sub and sometimes there is not enough of them who will take a Special ed. Science and Math classroom (we also have to use one of our 6 days a year or use a local 1/2 day meaning we lose a 1/2 days pay). So I finally made and appointment to see the Judge and after taking about it and the fact I had been a article 32 judge he moved me to a special list where I will only waste my time in the summer and not during the school year, we did not get to the fact that I carry a permanent Law Enforcement License and have been a Reserve Deputy in my county the other thing the defense does not want on the jury. A Reserve Army Officer who is a defense lawyer told me that most defense lawyers don't want Military Officers on a jury because !. we follow rules to the letter, 2. we are trained to think on our feet, 3. we are better at seeing through BS and Dog and pony shows than most of the Population and there fore stick to the main point and not to the misdirection to miner or none important points they try , 4. as leaders we might wind up leading the jury to a out come they don't want.

I had a similar experience. When they found out that I was a former Military Policeman, I was ejected so fast my head was spinning.
Walt "Butch" Deal
SFC, US Army Rtd

Being retired military didn't prevent me from serving on jury duty. I served on an age discrimination case. When I was interviewed for a criminal murder case a few years later, I informed the lawyers had I been present at the scene of the crime that there would not be need for a trial because I would take out the murderer at that time. Needles to say I was excused.

I had a prosecutor say he would love me on a jury. Having administered my fair share of article 15's understanding due process, reasonable doubt etc I think I can weigh the evidence and the case on its merits....that being a said...never been selected for a Jury in 65 years.

I was called for jury duty, when I told them I was an army veteran, MP/CID they released me. I think it's hurt the case and your views on that case.