What is the difference between serving on a Magistrates’ Courts jury and a Common Pleas or General Sessions jury?

Jury panels for Magistrate’s Court are comprised of six members; Circuit courts are 12 members. Circuit courts usually require their jurors to return to the court each day for service. Magistrate’s Court selects jurors and notifies them of dates and times to return. If not selected to serve on a case, jurors do not have to return. Jurors in Magistrate’s Court hear criminal misdemeanors, traffic cases, small claims and minor civil disputes.

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1. Do I really have to serve jury duty?
2. What is the difference between serving on a Magistrates’ Courts jury and a Common Pleas or General Sessions jury?
3. What happens when I appear for jury duty?