Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
Sun Jan 1, 2012, 07:29 AM Jan 2012

Finally, after well over 6 years of being registered in Washington, I got my first Jury Summons.

Now, you might think this is a thread complaining about having to to jury duty. Nope.

You might think it's a complaint about losing time and money at work, but you see, I'm one of those rare birds who is unionized and my contract requires that they pay me my regular pay for time away from work for jury duty. Yay, unions!

I do have one little complaint, maybe two. The first is that I work night shift so showing up at Court right after 12 hours of work will be tough. I'm going find out if the union will pay for me to have the night before off, but if not I'll take some PTO. My length of service is one trial or two days if I haven't been selected for a jury panel.

And that's my other beef. When I lived in Texas, my number for Jury Service came up frequently and I got to sit on a number of panels but was always dismissed. Why? Because they were all drug cases and I believe all drugs should be legalized and available and all the drug war money should be spent on educating people about the safe use of all drugs (prescription, non-presciption, licit and illicit). Really. It isn't a ploy. So, I've been thrown off a lot of jury panels. I'm hoping I don't get seated on a drug trial.

On the upside, I'm really psyched to start out my new year being on Jury Duty. It feels like right action, patriotic, good citizen type stuff. It's the same thing that psychs me about jury duty here. I'm part of the community and jury duty is part of my citizenship.

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Finally, after well over 6 years of being registered in Washington, I got my first Jury Summons. (Original Post) tavalon Jan 2012 OP
You were dismssed? So much for a jury of you peers. nt DCKit Jan 2012 #1
Well, the lawyers have the right to question the panel and they can throw out a certain number tavalon Jan 2012 #2

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
2. Well, the lawyers have the right to question the panel and they can throw out a certain number
Sun Jan 1, 2012, 07:55 AM
Jan 2012

I don't remember how many, but when they got to me,they always asked about my beliefs around drugs and while most of them summarily dismissed me, one actually argued with me as though he thought he was going to change my mind or he might just have thought I was bullshitting him, who knows, but yeah, the jury of your peers has a few loopholes.

So, I'm hoping I neither get a drug trial nor a potential death penalty trial, because I have just as strong opinions against the death penalty.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Finally, after well over ...