Financial Hardship Hits Samuel L. Jackson? This Is How Celebrities Get Out of Jury Duty

Samuel L. Jackson was reportedly dismissed from jury service in a Los Angeles court on Tuesday after he explained to the judge that he couldn't serve due to his commitment to shoot a film this month and in October.

 Americans around the country are called for and serve jury duty even when it’s inconvenient for their work schedules. Why not Jackson"s?

Sharon Arkin is one of the lawyers for the plaintiff in the case for which Jackson was called. Although she was not present for jury selection, she said she is not surprised Jackson got dismissed.

"About half the number of people called for jury duty are expected to get dismissed due to hardship, especially for a trial expected to last three weeks," she says, adding Jackson's claim his work would be impacted was a valid reason for asking to be dismissed.

Robert Dugdale, a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles for more than 18 years, says he never has had a celebrity on a jury, but he has seen several serve as jurors in federal criminal trials.