Jury Duty

[Passport1]

Yesterday I had jury duty. Was not selected, they never tell you why. I only moved to this county last October but got snagged already. Third time in my life I was handpicked by a computer. Once I actually was put on a jury. Became the foreman and eleven others and me were sequestered for two days during the trial. Criminal case, attempted murder. It was one of the most unpleasant experiences of my life. Being in the constant company of some maybe semi-psychotic people for 48 hours was torture. Anybody else ever had jury 'service'? Forgot to add that I was a member of a courts martial jury once also.

 

[ctechbob]

Only been called twice, never actually served, and likely never will. Defendants don't want me on their jury since I've most likely looked after them during their pre-trial stay.

 

[Wylie6G72]

Hate to admit it, but I do everything possible to get out of it when I'm summoned. Thankfully my last two were both drunk driving cases, and I've had two relatives killed by drunk drivers, so that was easy. If there's anything about me that might make me an undesirable juror, I spill it.

 

[Dave Hess]

I toss my JD notice in the trash.

 

[That_Spine_Guy]

Fortunately, as a small business owner that is a medical care provider - I have a solid "hardship" as I don't have income when I am not working and the $15 / day reimbursement does not even cover the cost of parking at the courthouse. Going to the courthouse is lower on my list of things that I want to do than a colonoscopy and I'd rather get kicked in the groin than serve on a jury.

 

[LDB]

Went to my jury duty a few weeks ago, third time county plus one time federal in my life so far. Glad to do it. Part of citizenship and I don't shirk. I'm better than that.

 

[Krieg]

Guilty! next....

 

[Wolf359]

Been on two juries so far. One was a drunk driving case and the other was a gun violation. I seem to get called every 3 years. Other times I managed to not get picked. Maybe Friday is a good day for service as they don't like to start juries at the end of the week. Was on jury duty once where the judge didn't let us go til 1pm. It was snowing that day and work let out early at 11am. Worse than working.

 

[ctechbob]

Went to my jury duty a few weeks ago, third time county plus one time federal in my life so far. Glad to do it. Part of citizenship and I don't shirk. I'm better than that.

Yup, if I had to serve, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Not outside the realm of possibility, I'd be sitting at the defendant's table, in which case I'd really want people that are not just 'too stupid to get out of jury duty'.

 

[mattwithcats]

Me
“Do I get to be on the firing squad too?”

Defense Attorney
”Juror candidate dismissed…”

 

[mattwithcats]

 

[charbaby]

I’ve been called several times and have been selected & served twice. On GJ for a month and TJ for a week. Both times were great experiences and quite an education.

 

[Chris142]

I live in the largest county in the state. I have had to drive 4+ hrs 1 way to attend jury duty and was not picked. My mom had to drive 3 hrs or so and had to serve 3 days before something happened and the case got finished without the jury.

I have not been picked recently thankfully as the cost to drive 400 miles a day for $15 won't cut it.

 

[blupupher]

Went to my jury duty a few weeks ago, third time county plus one time federal in my life so far. Glad to do it. Part of citizenship and I don't shirk. I'm better than that.

Yup, if I had to serve, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Not outside the realm of possibility, I'd be sitting at the defendant's table, in which case I'd really want people that are not just 'too stupid to get out of jury duty'.

I agree 100%.
Jury duty is one of the few direct ways you play a part in your community.

If you were going to trial, would you want someone like you on your jury?
I have heard a few lawyers say that only people too stupid to know how to get out of jury duty serve on jury's.
I have been many times, and selected several times, but only actually finished a trial once (a 5 day murder trial).
I am lucky that I work for a place that does pay me when I go in for jury duty though, and can see how it would be a hardship if you are self employed.

 

[The_Jeff]

I was on a jury for an OUI case and would have let the guy walk. But I was the alternate and dismissed right before deliberations.

This was back when cops had VHS camcorders in their cars but the officer on this case "forgot" to load the tape before his shift. I pay my taxes for his equipment for him to use the stuff.

There were about 30-40 OUI cases marching through that courtroom-- if you hate drunk drivers now, just wait until you see them in court.

The most aggravating part was that each case, during voir dire, asked the same juror pool the same questions if they were close friends with the police. And the meatheads would answer, oh, yeah, I knew Johnny Law back in third grade, we always send Xmas cards, but it won't change my feelings towards the accused.

 

[SC Maintenance]

The $15 is taxable income, so take away your top line progressive rate for both state and federal. This is the part that disgusts me so much - I am supposed to "do my civic duty", am not given enough to cover my gas to get there, and govco bends me over for their share of the 15 bucks. Leaches.

I have been called twice. Once I showed up but the jury was not needed at the last minute apparently. The other time I got a notice forwarded in the mail and I had literally just moved out of state a month before, so dodged the bullet twice.

 

[Wolf359]

The $15 is taxable income, so take away your top line progressive rate for both state and federal. This is the part that disgusts me so much - I am supposed to "do my civic duty", am not given enough to cover my gas to get there, and govco bends me over for their share of the 15 bucks. Leaches.

You gotta move to a better state. Massachusetts pays you $50 a day after 3 days. That rate hasn't changed in years.

 

[nomas]

I live in the largest county in the state. I have had to drive 4+ hrs 1 way to attend jury duty and was not picked. My mom had to drive 3 hrs or so and had to serve 3 days before something happened and the case got finished without the jury.

I have not been picked recently thankfully as the cost to drive 400 miles a day for $15 won't cut it.

They pay mileage as well .

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

My Dr. gives me a medical note to give to the judge. Yes, all excuses to get out of jury duty MUST go through the judge.
Before my accident I served twice when I lived in Tampa, FL.

 

[Revving2Redline]

Just recite the Arlo Guthrie Alice's Restaurant in four part harmony. It got him out of going to war so I am sure it will do wonders during jury selection.