Civic Responsibilities and Jury Duty

Mr. Crocker introduces fourth graders to the concept of civic duty, focusing on the importance of voting and jury duty as key responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. He explains how jury duty works, using a personal narrative to illustrate the process from receiving a jury summons to deliberating and reaching a verdict. The video also includes a demonstration of using ReadWorks to learn more about jury duty. Throughout, Mr. Crocker emphasizes the role of citizens in ensuring fair trials and participating in government processes.

What is one of the key responsibilities of citizens in a democracy?

• Paying taxes

• Voting in elections

• Attending town meetings

• Serving in the military

How are jurors selected for a trial?

• They volunteer

• They are selected based on their profession

• They are chosen by the judge

• They are randomly selected from the public

Why is it important for jurors to be unbiased?

• To speed up the trial process

• To agree with the defense

• To support the prosecution

• To ensure a fair trial

What must jurors avoid during a trial?

• Discussing the case with family

• Reading about the case in the news

• All of the above

• Talking to the judge

What is the term for when jurors are kept isolated to avoid outside influence?

• Sequestered

• Isolated

• Restricted

• Confined

What is required for a jury to reach a verdict?

• A unanimous decision

• A decision by the prosecution

• A majority vote

• A decision by the judge

What happens if a jury cannot reach a unanimous decision?

• The case is retried immediately

• A hung jury is declared

• The judge decides the verdict

• The trial is dismissed

What is the main idea of the text?

• The responsibilities of citizens in a democracy

• The role of lawyers in a trial

• How jurors are selected

• The process of a trial

What is an example of exercising civic responsibility?

• Running for office

• Paying taxes

• Serving on a jury

• Attending a protest

Why is jury duty considered an important civic duty?

• It allows citizens to meet new people

• It ensures fair trials and citizen participation

• It is a way to avoid other responsibilities

• It helps the government save money