It used to be that being self-employed was good enough, but that's no longer the case. In L.A. you have to show EXTREME financial hardship to get out of jury duty - and "EXTREME" is actually capitalized in the instructions. Just because you're self-employed or your employer does not pay for jury duty is not good enough. I personally don't know how far they push this but I do know self-employed people who couldn't get excused.

That being said, clearly a trial lasting 6 months would impose a great burden, both financial and psychological, on people and the courts will no doubt take that into consideration.