Orientation 
Prior to the first day you report for service, a representative of the Court will provide you with basic information to aid and ensure your compliance with the rules of the Court and to enhance your understanding of the role of jurors.

The Court always makes an effort to start on time and to avoid waiting periods by jurors. Sometimes, however, jurors must wait while the Court confers with parties to a case. It is not always possible to do this in the courtroom where the jurors are seated. 

If a case is settled on the day a jury is to be selected or on the day of trial, you may wonder whether your time was used profitably. Your presence in Court may have been a significant factor in bringing the case to a resolution. Even if you do not sit on a case, your availability is extremely important to the Court and to the selection process.

Juror Attire
Although juror attire may be casual, wearing apparel such as tee-shirts, sleeveless tops, slippers, and shorts are prohibited. It is recommended that jurors wear clothing that would be worn when conducting formal business, including a sweater or a light jacket.

Compensation
The Court believes that your highest compensation for jury service is the satisfaction that you have contributed to the fair administration of justice. The Court is aware, however, that jury service interrupts the normal course of your life and takes you away from important activities. Therefore, the Court will pay you a fee for each day of service and reimburse you for transportation expense. 

A fee of Forty Dollars ($40.00) is paid for a full day of service (anytime beyond 12:00 noon) and a fee of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) is paid for half day service or less (any time before 12:00 noon). A transportation allowance is also provided. Residents of Water Island and St. John receive an allowance of Ten Dollars ($10.00); and, residents of St. Croix and St. Thomas receive an allowance of Five Dollars ($5.00) per day.

The Trial 
There are two basic types of trials: criminal and civil. In a criminal trial, a person (defendant) is charged by the People with breaking the laws governing permissible conduct. In order to convict, the People must prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. A juror who harbors a reasonable doubt must not vote to convict. 

In a civil trial a person or party (the plaintiff) brings a lawsuit against another person or party (the defendant), usually to recover monetary damages. A civil suit can have more than two parties, and the jury may be called on to answer several questions. 

The burden of proof is not the same for civil cases as for criminal cases. In civil cases, the plaintiff must prove his case by a preponderance of evidence or by clear and convincing evidence. Always listen carefully when the judge explains the burden of proof. 

The judge and the lawyers will explain the trial process to you. You should listen to them carefully, because it is your responsibility to deliberate according to the law. 
Occasionally, the lawyers will make remarks, or testimony will be given, which the judge strikes from the record. You must disregard all such information as if you had never heard it. You may not take notes on testimony or write at all during the trial. Also, you may not question the witnesses.

Deliberation
The jury will deliberate in a closed jury room to which no other person has access. You should feel free to express your thoughts, but these should relate to the evidence and not to any preconception about the parties involved or the type of case.

When you are in the Jury Deliberation room, the Marshals are available in case the Jury chooses to call upon them for appropriate requests.  The Marshals will not interrupt the Jury in any instance, as no one may intrude upon the Jury during its deliberations.