Crossdressing and Jury Duty.

[Patience]

Hey, ladies.

So I got my habitual Jury duty summons for the beginning of the new year and I'm seriously considering going enfemme on my first day at least. I have served in a jury once, but that was a long time ago.

Right now, I'm in the middle of weighing pros and cons, especially if I get selected. I can certainly put appropriate outfits together, but then there's other questions, like the issue of the restrooms, whether I will be required to use my legal name throughout, seeing as it will be a legal procedure or if I may ask to be called a certain name? It's a serious procedure and I want to mind my P's and Q's, no pun intended,

Does anyone have any pointers? Thanks!

[nancy58]

As far as dealing with courts and such, I'd suggest sticking with what's on your legal documentation. Thinking about it, if I were going to show up in court for a summons for "Bob", I would give that name to the clerk of court representative checking me in and answer to it when called. The one time I was seated on a jury, I don't remember anyone calling anyone else by name, but I would use Nancy in communications in the jury room. As far as restrooms go, check your state's laws about bathrooms. Whatever applies in the state laws will probably apply in your courthouse. If it's a U.S. federal court, there is probably no issue. (I am not a lawyer.)

[Laura912]

Jury duty is really a serious responsibility in our system of government despite what movies and political pundits suggest. Play it safe.

[Stephanie47]

Do you think you would be a distraction?

[Patience]

I should hope not. My presentation definitely will hopefully show that's not the effect I am after.

Jury duty is really a serious responsibility in our system of government despite what movies and political pundits suggest. Play it safe.

I am. Hence this thread.

Thank you for your replies.

[chelyann]

i would go as male ( unfortunately ) but lean toward girl, you dont want to you get a total jerk of a judge or lawyer and be called out in front of everybody,

[valerie anne]

I have done jury service. It's an ordeal which you need to get through with minimum aggravation.

You will need to prove your identity, you will be searched for weapons, and subjected to continuous petty discipline like a high school student.

So absolutely no cross-dressing, no heels, no makeup, no bras, no panties, no stockings.

It's a myth that defense lawyers will object to "doubtful" jurors: just don't try it.

Merely sit in the jury box, don't look at the accused, and just follow the direction of the judge when it comes to a verdict.

The vast majority of cases are sordid & repulsive. Don't expect Jimmy Stuart or Perry Mason, it's not Hollywood.

[GretchenM]

Here in Colorado if the judge were to make an issue of how you dress the judge would likely find themselves at odds with higher judges. That said, I would not want to push the envelope as it is a distraction from what you are there for. On the other hand, if you have transitioned and you are legally recognized as a woman nothing is likely to be said because it is likely that your summons would have been mailed to you with a female name. In that case the expectation is that you will show up as a woman.

[BobbiKay]

If you *don't* want to serve on a jury, go en femme. You are more likely to be peremptorily challenged by one or more of the lawyers.

[Jean 103]

I would go with however you dress most of the time.

If you're full time like me then I would say yes. When I present my identification I'm in full makeup so I would look the same.

[docrobbysherry]

This is a easy one, Patience.

Want to experience jury to the max? Go as Bob.

Rather have a root canal than sit around for hours and probably accomplish nothing? Just throw on a dress before u go out the door! They'll send u home rite away!

[mbmeen12]

Full speed a head and dam the torpedoes ...It is what this country, usa is about....Just don't mock the Court....head high, tits up!

[Krisi]

This being a crossdressing group, I am assuming the OP is asking as a crossdresser, not someone who is transitioning.

It occurs to me that asking people in a crossdressing forum if it's OK to perform jury duty crossdressed is not likely to get the best, most reliable answers. Perhaps calling the clerk of the court or another court official would provide a more reliable answer.

[Helen_Highwater]

Is it possible to contact the clerk of the court beforehand and ask what the situation/rules are? That way you should avoid any risk of crossing a line that might see you fall foul of a judge.

[Vickie_CDTV]

They probably have a dress code, and it probably does not allow people who are legally male to wear skirts or dresses (that might have changed in some places, replacing it with a non-gendered dress code that allows skirts or dresses, but I would definitely check if you opt to come dressed.) Even if you wore pants, they may not like it if you wear makeup or a wig (if you wear one) or prosthetic breasts (if you wear them).

If there is a dress code you break and/or you ask to be referred to as a woman when you are legally still male the judge, in theory, could hold you in contempt if he wanted to. That is not something I would ever, ever risk! It might be more bearable if you are dressed, and as far as I am concerned you should be able to dress however you like given they are literally forcing you be there against your will, but I still wouldn't risk any potential legal consequences.

[alwayshave]

Patience, I am going to put my lawyer hat on here and say, don't crossdress. Judges courtrooms are their fiefdom. If you offend them personally, and not everyone accepts CDing, they will tear you up. I have seen judges rip jurors and lawyers a new one over what they have worn to court and I practice in a pretty liberal states. That being said, Helen's advice is on point. Before, arguing before a judge for the first time, I'd ask his/her clerk, where I should stand, how they like to be addressed, how they like to hear objections, etc... and would get advice I would use. So ask the clerk.

[Krisi]

I would go to jury duty as a male. Don't mess with a judge.

[Aunt Kelly]

In a "less enlightened" jurisdiction, it's conceivable that showing up cross-dressed could earn a contempt of court judgement. If you want to make a statement, by all means, go dressed. Just be prepared for the consequences.

[Cheryl T]

Unless you are full time and have ID I wouldn't dress for jury duty. Just my opinion.

[Maid_Marion]

Connecticut bans discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in public and private employment.
Seems pretty clear cut to me that dressing appropriately for the office should work for the court room.

[crobeson96]

It is an interesting question and in formulating a response I thought that answer might lie in the eternal "Why do you (or 'I' or 'we') crossdress?"
The answers, other than 'I don't know' lie in a range between "It's fun" and "I am a woman in a male body".

I see the question of jury duty as aligning with your personal feelings. If you are at a point in your life where you must express yourself as female to the outside world then jury duty would simply be another challenge that life presents to you.

If you are more of a 'hobby and special occasions' person then the risk of real legal consequences wouldn't be worth the admittedly intriguing experience that would be possible.

Of course you could be very, very serious about your public presentation but just not ready for the risks involved...

[CrossKimmy]

This might get you eliminated rather quickly 🤭

[OrdinaryAverageGuy]

Gotta agree with Doc and CrossKimmy. If you wear a dress you'll likely be perceived as making fun of the process and sent home. Which might be your goal, to which I won't judge.

(See what I did there?)

[TheHiddenMe]

As long as you are properly dressed, go how you want to go.

I live (thankfully) in a progressive state, where LGBT rights are protected. You still have an ID, regardless of how you present. The Supreme Court even ruled in 1989 that sex stereotyping (women have to dress a certain way) was illegal.

If you show up in leggings and a top--like 90% of the women are going to in the potential jury pool--do you think the court is going to object? On what basis?

You are required to show for jury duty. However, you have no legal requirement to dress in accordance with the gender on your ID.

Dress how you wish to dress, as long as it meets the court standards.

[Geena75]

Hopefully a judge wouldn't think you were mocking the court and hold you in contempt!