Jury Duty - something to get out of, intersting or just duty of citizens?

[Kali]

How do you feel? I take it seriously - beyond serving in the military or actually running for an office, it's one of the few ways to contribute as a citizen - beyond taxes and voting, of course. But I also found in fascinating. I was on Charles Keatings civil trial in Tucson back in the 90's and I learned a ton of stuff about that corporate and accounting world I never thought would be interesting. I was also on a small drug case locally - where I learned you can only purchase a small amount of allergy meds (meth case) and that what makes something "drug paraphernalia" is its context with either drugs or other items. I mean a straw is a straw right? but in a purse with a baggie and a mirror it becomes paraphernalia.

So, something to get out of - a hassle, an interesting way to spend time - I want to do it, or duty one has to do - don't try to get out but don't really wand to do it?

[Nutmegger]

1. I use to have this "get out of it" attitude

but after hearing my mother relay her experience, I've decided that it is what we as citizens are called to do and is just as important as voting. I never been called to duty but I actually look forward to the day...really.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. All three...

just hope you don't get picked for a month-long murder trial or boring accident case.

[tjwmason]

3. As the name suggests - it's a duty.

Certainly, it may be boring - certainly it may be a hassle &c.&c. but if everybody got out of doing it we'd be in a pretty bad place.

The notion of duty is one which seems to be lost for many in the modern world, we seem to think that our duty to society ends with paying our taxes, voting and obeying the major laws. But beyond that, we're more than happy to live atomised lives ignoring our fellow citizens - and the society of which we are members.

Whether it will be interesting or not really depends on what trial (if any) one gets. I'm sure that some would be incredibly interesting, and others mind-numbingly boring - but that's not the point. If one has a genuine excuse (e.g. a small business owner who literally can't take time off; illness; &c.) then certainly one should get off, but otherwise even if it's a drag one should attend and help the justice system on which we all rely.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Like waiting for a plane that never arrives.

That is what it felt like for me. There were 250 of us. The judges reviewed their dockets and requested an amount of jurors for each trial. The clerks came in and called numbers out by lottery. I wasn't called the first or the second time...so, I spent 8 hours reading, studying, and watching television in an airport gate type setting. It got claustrophobic after awhile, because you cannot leave except for the approved break times. It wasn't horrid, but I sat their thinking about the money I was losing by not setting appointments. :hi:

[B Calm]

5. I get picked every time. I've been a juror on three jury trials..

The last one still haunts me..

[RebelOne]

6. I have been on jury duty 3 times.

The first two times I was enthusiastic about it. That was in Miami. But the third time was in Atlanta and I tried to weasel out of it, but wasn't able to. The main reason was that if I was picked, I didn't want to be driving to and from downtown Atlanta every day. The traffic is horrendous. But I was lucky and was let off the hook after only one day.

[supernova]

7. I'm on a jury now

It's fine. I don't know enough about the case yet to say if it's interesting or not. We were just seated yesterday.

But it's in our historic colonial courthouse, not the modern one. So for the history alone it's a good experience so far.

[Clintmax]

8. I think it's our duty to go.

I've only sat on one jury and it was a very interesting experience! I will NOT go into it thinking to myself of ways to get out of it.

[meegbear]

9. It's your duty as a citizen ...

one should always serve if capable.

[Loonman]

10. Civic duty

That's all there is to it.

[regularguy]

11. I've been on two Juries, one civil and one criminal.

Of course it's not convenient, but it's important. It also can be fascinating. For some the hardship of serving is too much. But someone who would outright lie to get out of it is a shitty citizen.

[hyphenate]

12. I went once but didn't get picked

but it was definitely fascinating to be there, if even for a short while. It's a process that I think everyone should go through at least once if they can afford it--most companies don't pay you your wages if you go on jury duty--another way that those who earn hourly wages are prejudiced against.

[Kali]

13. Isn't that illegal - I thought they had to pay you?

Not sure though. On the Keeting trial I made money - it was a federal trial and they paid more per day (I forget how much) but I was jsut outside the limit to get perdiem too - so I stayed at my in-laws place in town and got a few bucks (more than I make ranching that's for sure). I would have done it anyway but that made it nice on top of interesting.

[GOPisEvil]

14. No. Companies are only required to save your position while you serve.

More progressive companies will offer leave for jury duty, but it's not required.

[hyphenate]

20. Most companies don't have to pay

you when you go on jury duty if you're an hourly wage earner. It's illegal to fire you, though, if you get put on a jury, or replace you with a permanent employee.

On the other hand, the state "paid" me a whopping $15 for my day spent in the courthouse.

[realisticphish]

15. I really want to

I think it would be interesting

[MissMillie]

16. I like getting summoned for jury duty

In the 5 times I have had to show up, I have only been picked for a jury once, and that lasted only a few hours.

So, whenever I get summoned to go, I just look at it as a day off from work. I feel especially happy if it's a beautiful spring day.

[CottonBear]

17. Civic duty.

In my experience (I been interviewed but not chosen for Traverse Jury three times and chosen for Grand Jury), the majority of people who try to weasel out of jury duty are white, male Republican types.

[RevCheesehead]

18. I've only been called once...

About 6 months after moving away from California, I got a letter telling me I *had* to show up in LA federal(or was it district?) court. I called them, then they told me they had to have *written proof* that I no longer lived in CA. It took a good month to convince them.

So I wrote them a letter, saying "if you will reimburse my travel expenses, I'll be glad to come back and visit."

[bertha katzenengel]

19. DUTY. It is a civic duty, like voting, obeying the law, etc.

To shirk it is to be unworthy of the title "U.S. Citizen."

[Missy Vixen]

21. Interesting and just duty

I've been called a lot over the past 10 years and have actually been a juror once. I usually end up being disinvited at the voir dire because of family members involved in law enforcement and friends involved in the legal profession.

Julie

[Ariana Celeste]

22. I would find it interesting.

I think, anyways. One of the very few classes in high school that had me excited and really interested was business law.

[sendero]

23. I've never been empaneled..

.... though I get called up about every 2 years.

I don't think the lawyers for the prosecution or the defense like to have opinionated know-it-alls on the jury, so the prospect of me actually serving seems distant :)

[Kali]

27. hey they let me on!

[sendero]

28. You must be..

.... better at hiding it than I am :)

[philosophie_en_rose]

24. It's a duty, but it's not helpful to have surly jurors.

I think it's an obligation to participate fully and honestly, unless there's a good reason against participation. (Ex: Jurors are paid almost nothing. If an employer doesn't make up the difference, then the economic damage should be considered). Maybe there should be some sort of refundable tax credit for serving on a jury.

However, it's not productive to have twelve people who don't want to be there as the arbiters of someone's fate. If someone just hates the legal system or is just doesn't care that much, it's not helpful to anyone. Excused.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

25. Duty

I've been called 4 times (2 in FL 2 in TX), but never picked (the cases got cancelled or something). One thing you might want to do, if your area has it - we have a website or phone number to check the night before to see if your panel is still being called. They often call more people to report than they need. If you're cancelled you don't need to report.

[Paladin]

26. I Live In A Houston Suburb......

...in the midst of an old, rural, East Texas county. If you turn up for jury duty here wearing business clothing, even business casual (as I did), chances are you're going to get nailed (as I did)---both the prosecutors and defense attorneys seem to feel that your employment status and education are plusses for their respective sides.

Years ago, I read an interesting newspaper article on how juries are picked, how each side looks for certain characteristics in accepting or rejecting people. The one individual that both defense and prosecution spokesmen identified as an automatic rejection: a guy wearing a hairpiece......

[Kali]

30. heh - isn't that a universal truth?

Guys with a hairpiece will be rejected?





No offense, personally to any guys on DU who may feel better wearing one, but at least this female would prefer the natural you to a wig.

[Pied Piper]

29. I'm on the short list here in Boston

In Massachusetts we have a one-day-one-trial policy. If you aren't empaneled on the first day, you are free to go, often before lunch. We can only be summonsed once every three years. Well, for some reason, I usually get the notice after about 2 years and a month or so, so I have to prove that my last summons was less that three years ago. I've been summonsed 5 times since I moved to Boston 15 years ago, and I would love to be on a trial. Last time, I actually made it into the court room, but they filled the jury before they got to me... sigh.

I have several friends who are lawyers, so I've had some discussions about jury selection, etc. I would love to serve on a jury - my company provides compensation - I realize this isn't the case for everyone.

For those whose employers provide compensation, what's the big deal? I enjoy hanging out in the jury pool room chatting up folks, I mean, really, thank God I'm not in my office listening to the standard whining. If I ever get empaneled, I will get an up-close view on how the justice system actually works! Who wouldn't want such and experience? Well, yes, I know...

Here's hoping for next time!