As I see it, we can't have it both ways... If we want to be judged by a jury of our peers (should the need ever arise), we have to agree to serve in the same capacity for others (our peers).
I have been "called" for jury duty four times in the last 33 years... and none have been at what would be considered "convenient" times:
The first, I got called to serve in San Francisco, 6 months after moving to Salt Lake City. Obviously, I was excused from that call.
For the second, I was summoned for district court in SLC near the end of the semester (a few weeks before finals) in a term I was teaching four days a week. Despite pleading hardship for my students (and getting a letter from my Dept chair), I was NOT excused. I had to call every day after 5 to find out if I had to appear or not. So in each class each day, I would have to tell my students to look for an announcement or e-mail to find out if class was canceled the next day. They never reached my "number," so never had to appear...
The third time, I was summoned to appear for SLC municipal justice court Wednesday the week before 4th of July, and we already had non-refundable plane tickets to fly home for a family reunion for the 4th on Friday. I was not excused... but was told that, if selected, it was unlikely that the trial would last more than a day. Well, I was selected, and the trial lasted 2 days (one full day for the trial, and then another for jury deliberations). I DID make the flight, but almost missed my youngest daughter's theater performance in "Annie" Thursday night. Two more anecdotes re: this service below...
My last time... about 5 years ago (can't remember which court) was, again, in a semester when I was teaching. I called the clerk and explained my situation, and she said "Well, I can work with you... when would it be convenient for you to serve?" and we agreed on spring break. I was summoned to appear, but was NOT selected.
Three anecdotes about the summons in which I did serve on a jury:
First, when I arrived to fill out my questionaires before jury selection began, I recognized one of my students from the semester before was also in the jury pool. When they brought us in to the court and asked questions verbally, we were asked if we knew the defendants, lawyers, judge, or any of the other jury candidates. Of course, my student and I had to acknowledge our relationship, and the judge asked my student if, as her professor, she would place any additional weight to my opinions? With a straight face she answered, "only if it is a question about cell biology!" That got a chuckle from the court.
Second, the case was a DUI... and I am a teetotaler. Not by religion (tho' I live in UT), and not by philosophy... I just don't like the taste of alcohol or its effect on my thinking. I expected that would immediately disqualify me... and I did, indeed, get called to the judges chambers for additional questioning. I was quite surprised when I was selected to serve on the 4 member jury (after four hours deliberation, we acquitted the defendant... it took that long because one of the jurors, not me, held the philosophy that the police were ALWAYS right. So, if the defendant was arrested, she was guilty).
Lastly, one of the prospective jurors showed up for jury selection in t-shirt and shorts (instructions suggested casual business attire), talked as the judge was giving instructions and questioning others, and was basically disrespectful. He got a stern talking to from the judge, and was threatened with a contempt citation before being dismissed.
One last note: earlier this year, a trial in Summit City Utah had to be delayed because too few people answered their jury summons, making it impossible to empanel a jury. Each of the jurors that didn't show were summoned to court to explain their reasons. It is my recollection that few were excused, but many were cited for contempt, and some had to perform community service as a result.
So, as I see it, if a jury trial is our right as citizens, serving on a jury is our responsibility to preserve that right. I'll get off my high horse now...