I work at the courthouses and am in and out all day long. they hired a new security person so I went through- she wanted my cell phone. I said no- I use it for business and told her I was there all the time. She said I could have it this time but not next time. I told her I was going through as a courtesy and to introduce myself- I work as a title searcher and we don't give up our phones.
every other time I blow by whoever is in line and just wave hi.
Taking things in- don't do it. It's better to take a book and relax. I love jury duty- I still sneak out to search and come back when I have to. When I get picked for a jury, I get excused as I know the judges and attys. Now, I have to be excused as I own my company and I can't be away- financial hardship.
Enjoy your civic duty- its also neat to see how the legal process works and be a part of history in the making.