Congratulations! You just received a jury summons. Now what?

First, embrace this opportunity to participate in a critical component of our democracy.

Promptly read all documents carefully. Complete and submit the questionnaire. Detailed instructions and the jury office phone number are included with your summons.

Notify your employer and make family arrangements prior to the start of your service. You may request "call-in" status, which means you must be available to report to the jury office each day, but you only need to report in person if so instructed. Service is typically for two weeks or less, but always until discharged by your judge.

Jury service is not optional. Minnesota statute 593.42 makes it a misdemeanor to fail to appear for jury service, absent a showing of good cause for noncompliance with a summons. Your employer must allow you time off to serve, but the law does not require your employer to pay you. Be on time when you report for service. If you are running late, call the jury office. If you are selected to serve on a jury, your judge will advise you of the daily schedule. Be aware that a trial cannot take place unless all jurors are present.

Be courteous. It is well understood that jury service can be a hardship and everyone is busy. Courts work hard to ensure that jurors complete their service as expeditiously as possible. Foul language or other bad behaviors will not be tolerated. Do not complain to court personnel about parking, missing work or the $10 per diem; they cannot remedy these things. District courts do not set the juror per diem; the Legislature does.

Reimbursement of certain expenses is available. Jurors are reimbursed for mileage. It is automatically calculated and paid, and no forms are required. If guidelines are met, you may be entitled to reimbursement for child care expenses; those forms are available when you report for service.

Do not confuse jury service with vacation, happy hour or selfie ops. Do not schedule important business, like a home closing or a medical appointment, as your personal schedule cannot be accommodated. Skip the three-martini lunch. You cannot bring alcohol into the courthouse or show up under the influence. Do not post comments or photographs relating to your service on social media sites and, yes, people will find out if you do. Jurors must pass through a security checkpoint every day, so skip the weapons, ammo and the WWF belt buckle.

Let the jury office know before reporting if you require any special accommodations or need a postponement. Dress in layers and bring something to eat, drink, read or do. Electronics, like laptops, are permitted.

Waiting is a normal part of jury service, yet "too much waiting" is a very common juror complaint. Plan to wait. Waiting is a necessary part of the judicial process and important things are actually happening while you are waiting. Again, waiting is normal and there are many reasons why jurors must wait. Often, staff members will inform jurors regarding the nature or duration of a delay, but that is not always possible. Keep the mind-set that you are serving your community during your entire service period, whether you are waiting outside a courtroom or are in trial. Did I mention the waiting?

Serve rather than attempt to avoid your jury service. Be advised that judges and staff members have heard every excuse and seen every maneuver from those who simply do not want to serve, so do not bother. It is not our first rodeo. In addition to being ineffective, attempts to avoid jury service will make you look bad in front of your fellow jurors. As inconvenient as it may be, it is your duty to serve and you would want your fellow citizens to step up and serve as jurors for you.

Consider how good you will feel about yourself for having done your civic duty. Many a juror who bemoaned getting that summons has said after serving that it was an interesting, important and powerful experience, and one definitely worth the inconvenience. And the waiting.

Tamara Garcia is a Hennepin County district judge.