I got summoned last year for the first time. The only was to get out of it was as what Willow said - own your own business, previously booked travel plans or a medical exemption. Those were what I can remember. I travelled a lot for work and hadnt checked my mail for ages - I literally read the notice 2 days before I was due to go in.... I worked for a company and no way I could get exemption, but went along curious. Downing Centre in Sydney.
Basically went like this...
When arriving, had to register. the option I did get was to select the length of time I was available. I'd randomly been allocated a hearing of up to 3 months, but was allowed to apply for one up to 2 weeks. And given a number - asked to wait until called. Id estimate there were about 200-250 people in the waiting room.
They did a quick overview to the group, watched an into video, then went about calling up random numbers in groups - to be jury members on whatever cases were commencing an any given time throughout the morning and into the afternoon.
After about 4 hours I was literally one of the last 12 in the room - and we were there for about an hour or so on our own before the co-ordinator came out and said the case we were meant to join had been postponed due to something or other to do with recent evidence. Thus we weren't required and free to leave. We got paid for the full day (cant remember but think it was $120 or so, its a flat rate for all).
I was actually really disappointed as I was real keen to see what being on a jury was like.
