Must report. My number is high this time.

In March I got a postponement due to illness. Now I have to serve or at least report until my number is called - or not.

Anyone else had to go through this civic duty ?

I don't mind, really I don't. But I am going on vacation next week so I'm really hoping I don't get called and that my number is so high that it drops off into the ozone or whatever happens to the higher counts. ... I didn't plan my life around jury duty when I planned my vacation because I hadn't been called yet.

And as for getting another postponement, they only allow once.

Ay yay yay.

If you do not want to be on a jury just let the court know that you are a fully informed juror. You will be dropped like a hot potato.

Well I'm not a know-it-all nihilist like yourself. That would make for an opinionated biased juror right from the start.

So you are now claiming that I am a nihilist ? Who is the know-it-all ?
Instead of pontificating, why don't you google "fully informed jury amendment". You are making yourself look stupid.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2019 01:27AM by Dave the Atheist.

Maybe it is unwise for you to do your own thinking. So far it has not worked out well.

Well tie me up but don't tie me down!

I can see how and why announcing yourself as a Fully Informed juror would put the prosecutor in criminal cases totally off his feed! There are a lot of cases where he or she would not want you on a jury! But there are many run-of-the-mill criminal cases where it is unlikely being Fully Informed would make a difference.

And it doesn't do anything to keep you off a civil jury.

I would start a discussion with my fellow jurors about the merits of jury nullification. That should speed things along.

Your laws are different than mine, so my advice is probably of no use to you.

Where I am, there is an introductory speech by the prosecutor which welcomes you to jury duty, and thanks you for your [prospective] service, and then briefly introduces the case you might wind up being a juror on. ("This is a case about domestic violence. It is estimated that it will take [five, or whatever] days to try this case.")

As you are called on, you are (as a single individual) asked questions by both the prosecutor and the defense attorney. They will ask you questions like: "Have you, or has anyone close to you, ever been a victim of domestic violence?" After your answer, they will ask appropriate follow-up questions, such as: "Do you, despite the fact that you have yourself been a victim of domestic violence, think you can be unbiased in this case?" Needless to say, if you are concerned about your vacation, if you know ANYONE personally who has been a victim of domestic violence then you say something along the lines of: "No, I just cannot be unbiased because of what happened to me [or your relative, or your friend], and the lifelong damage which occurred." [Add true details as appropriate.]

Chances are, you will be excused from jury duty.

Otherwise, you may be stuck.

Good luck, Amyjo!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2019 02:12AM by Tevai.

Thanks Tevai. Good points, all taken.

I was looking at my number last night as I called the jury desk. It is so high that I'm not going to be called this morning. Still will need to check in until I'm "relieved" from being called to report later this week.

When I was called in March my number was really low like #44. I would've been in the first cut of people called.

Now it's #506. This morning they only want #'s 1-81 to report. After the first week, I'll no longer be needed. So with fingers crossed I wait with breath abated.

I also work in the legal field. 20 years ago or so in New York attorneys and paralegals were not required to serve on juries because of the conflict for interest it raised. Since that was done away with legal professionals get called like everyone else. But like others, if conflicts exist, as you noted may be excused from serving.

My vacation includes an airline ticket to the west and back to visit with one of my children next week. So come hell or high waters I will be there lol. I'm not putting too much faith that my high number will get called. That would take a stroke of divine intervention were that to happen at this point. If up to #81 is called today. And I'm #506. I don't think they're going to reach me by this Friday. Noting that 5 times 81 only equals 405, not 506. Unless the county uses a different formula toward the end of the week than it starts out from at the beginning lol.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2019 11:59AM by Amyjo.

I suggest U serve unless it's a real hardship...

Approach it on a low-drama standpoint, Facts First.

Chances are it will be pretty boring.

I'm hoping I won't be called at all. My number is so high that it's giving me hope I won't need to go in to the cattle shed.

Four years ago, I had to report for possible selection to a case involving drunk driving. We waited in the room while the defense and prosecuting attorneys asked everyone some questions and you would answer yes or no by raise of hand. No one had been injured or killed by the drunk driver. One of the questions was if anyone there had never been around a drunk person. My mind drew a blank; I couldn’t think of anyone, so I raised my hand. I was the only one with their hand raised. I wished I could’ve crawled under the seat! No surprise, I was one of several not chosen to be on the jury. Afterwards, I recalled several experiences, but it was so weird that I drew a blank at the time. I think you’ll have a relatively smooth time; whether or not you’re selected to be a juror. Just don’t follow my lead! :)

That does seem strange. But they were looking for a certain criteria and you met it.

That's how juries are selected, by the process of elimination known as voir dire. It may favor either side, but each side only gets so many votes at selection before they have to choose jurors.

Just tell the court that you're a graduate of a top tier law school. They don't like overly knowledgable jurors.

Amyjo, I suspect you would be a very conscientious juror. I would want you to be on the jury whether I was the perp or the victim.

Thanks. I wouldn't mind serving on a criminal case. But some of them are long and drawn out.

At least I'd get out of work for the duration tee hee. It would be a break from that tedium. And I'd be doing my 'civic duty.'

I'm surprised that I've only been called twice in my lifetime. Once when I lived in California. And now.

I'm in a similar spot. I postponed once already. Now I'm set for mid-July. The trouble is, I'm smack-dab in the middle of a career switch and an internal job hunt, which also must be completed by mid-July. Good luck to us both!

Perhaps your number will come up higher this time around, like mine did. I was a #44 in March. Now I'm #506. The odds of my being called are next to nil I'm learning since I called late last night to report. But I'm still keeping my fingers crossed, just in case.

Best wishes on your job career change.

I'm nearing one myself in the coming two years, possibly. I can take early retirement in 2021 when I'm 62. I'm still undecided only because for me to move back west where I really want to go would be more costly than to stay where I'm at. And I want to stretch my budget more, not less (especially in retirement.) So I may stay put for now. Big decisions. Whoever said life was easy didn't know what they were talking about lol. There is always some new challenge and goal setting it seems.

My position at my current school was eliminated due to population fluctuations and other factors. Normally I would find another position internally. But at this stage of my career, I'm over it. I have no desire to take a classroom position at another school. Adjusting to (what would likely be) a new grade as well as a new school is more than I care to cope with.

So I've put into action something that I've been thinking about doing anyway. This was the push I needed to get it going. I recently obtained an additional certification in a specialty area that would take me out of the regular classroom. I would be working with students individually or in small groups. I had my general interview for this position this past week, so I'm waiting to hear. If all goes well, I will start interviewing with hiring principals.

I'm hoping that this will refresh my career at this late stage. But jury duty is the last thing I want to be thinking about right now.

Oh goodness, that does require a lot of concentration on your part.

Sending good vibes and positive energy your way that things are going to work out for the best.

That is a major career transition for you!

At least it seems so to me. Though you're still in your field ie, teaching and all.

Thanks, Amyjo! Yes, it will be an adjustment, but it will come with some rewards as well. I hope that everything works out.

summer, for a moment there I thought you might be tempted to get that "chauffer" job. ;-)

I hope you get the job you want. The hiring principals would be lucky to have you. Tell them RfM can vouch for you. ;-D

Aww, thanks, Dagny! :)

I passed my general interview, so I'm good to go for hiring!

summer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I passed my general interview, so I'm good to go
> for hiring!

Congratulations, Summer !!!!

Mazel Tov !!!!

((((Happy Dance!!))))

Great! If you speak like you write, they would be crazy not to snag you. I believe you have several qualities almost any employer would prioritize.

You come across here as level headed, open minded and not self-absorbed - at least that is my impression. Good luck!

My advice is to take a good book to read (must be a physical book, some places don't allow electronic devices in jury rooms, or at least don't like them). I did jury duty a few years ago and this was a lifesaver.

I didn't get picked in the end, because I knew one of the people in the case, but it was still two days I won't get back!

When I say, I knew one of the people, it was a very slight acquaintance from many years before, and it took me a while to remember that. He looked a bit different after a space of twenty years. The man was not my friend or anything like that. But that was enough to disqualify me.

I must agree with Dave the Atheist above though - some jurors are clearly more "informed" than others, much like he is. :)))

Thanks for the tips.

I like the idea of bringing a book. Especially given any long wait times.

:)

Amyjo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for the tips.
>
> I like the idea of bringing a book. Especially
> given any long wait times.
>
> :)

Well, they kept me sitting around for very long periods doing nothing. If you're lucky, you'll meet someone who makes good conversation, but that's not guaranteed unfortunately. :) I saw one poor woman who spent forty minutes picking her teeth!

That is pretty funny, but not for the poor people who had to watch her for 40 minutes lol.

I am a court reporter. I have watched many a jury selection process.


If you do not want to be on a jury, chances are the attys don't want you.

They will ask you LOTS of questions. Speak up. One of the questions they will ask you is if there is anything on your mind that will prevent you from giving ALL your attention to the matter at hand.

Tell them truthfully, that your vacation is on your mind, and you really can't think of anything else.

Speak up whenever you can. The more you voice concerns the more likely it is you will be stricken from their list.

There are people who rather enjoy jury duty. Under the right set of circumstances that could be you.

But not this time. Speak up.

I was once called for jury duty but they didn't want me.

Can you imagine?

Lois Lane
Mild Mannered Court Reporter

Thanks Lois. That is helpful to know.

:)

They’ll give you enough information about the case that you can share an anecdote about a relative who went through something similar and one side will send you home.

Oh I see what you're saying.

It will be a "gotcha" moment.

:)

I've gotten that notice about ten times, the last one about five years ago. As been said before, they ask questions like do you know any lawyers, judges, police. Have you ever been convicted of such and such. For five questions, I raised my hand each time. The last time the judge looked at the list and said "Mr. Gentile, you seem to get around alot."

The last question was about knowing anyone currently in the system. When I raised my hand, I told the court about someone in jail currently charged with such-and-such. She asked if I could be impartial. I said no and that I am a bit pissy on prosecutors right now. I was dismissed.

Ha ha, that had to help.

So far, so good. My number is high enough I shouldn't get called I'm finding out.

(((sighing relief!!)))

Last week over 1,000 jurors were called to report. Only 204 actually had to report in physically numbered 1-204.

By my number alone, I should be in the clear and free to travel next week.

Plus, I was told by the Commissioner of Jurors when I called in this morning for info that if I'm not selected to report that I won't be summoned again for at least another eight years. (And am automatically released so I don't have to sign my summons and mail it back to them!)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2019 11:53AM by Amyjo.

Amyjo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Plus, I was told by the Commissioner of Jurors
> when I called in this morning for info that if I'm
> not selected to report that I won't be summoned
> again for at least another eight years. (And am
> automatically released so I don't have to sign my
> summons and mail it back to them!)


Eight years?! Here in Utah it is just two years. And I have received a couple only two years apart. The first one I just described and the one two years later I didn't have to go in.

Oh wow, that is close in time.

We have a denser population here. Maybe that's why it's spaced further apart than in Utah.

Two years barely gives you time to catch your breath. I don't think I'd like that. (Thinking of retiring there.)

I served on a Federal Grand jury for 13 months. We met every month, sometimes twice a month. With a good foreman, we were able to review and vote on cases within a five hour period. We had two instances, where the DoJ presented cases and evidence that went until 9pm.

The upside to serving is that the chances of being called to state jury system is next to nil. We were told that we know too much. It's been a little over 5 years now and I have not been summoned since serving at the federal level.

This is the first time I have ever read about the federal Grand Jury experience.

Thank you for this, messygoop!

messygoop Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I served on a Federal Grand jury for 13 months. We
> met every month, sometimes twice a month. With a
> good foreman, we were able to review and vote on
> cases within a five hour period.

M.G, do you REALLY think the ham sandwich committed that crime?

It was really Colonel Mustard in the dinning room.

Every month the Federal Govt submitted evidence against individuals and companies that were accused of committing serious crimes. That's why we met as a panel every month or sometimes twice a month. We had to decide if there was ample evidence to indict the accused on the charges that were levied by the govt.

There were a few instances where the evidence was insufficient to merit indictments. We were not simply a rubber stamp for what the prosecution wanted.

Very strict security to enter the federal building: metal detectors, body scans. I always was on the side taking off my shoes and belt. I only took an photo ID (and a juror badge) because phones were confiscated. We were escorted to and from the restroom. We were sequestered within the room. You couldn't leave the building and no outside food or drink was permitted to be taken inside. It was quite an experience.

They supplied us with coffee and bottled water and morning donuts. When we stayed later, they treated us to take out Chinese and Mexican food. Anyone with food allergies or concerns were accommodated.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2019 02:13PM by messygoop.

Lot's Wife Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It was really Colonel Mustard in the dinning room.

With what, a butter knife?

No, you Silly! It was Colonel Mustard, in the dining room, with the ham sandwich!

Before or after the act (of indigestion)? I'm so glad they indicted it--it was a ham AND CHEESE sandwich!

Perhaps it should have been indicted twice!

I have always resisted serving on a jury. Years ago in California I was summoned once. I was determined not to serve. But I also did not want to get cited for contempt. So I put on my shabbiest clothes, stuffed a plastic bag full of lunch and old clothes, splashed a little eau de bourbon on my face and went to the courthouse. I carefully sat in the back when they swore the panel in, and nobody noticed that I did not take the oath to tell the truth. When the judge asked if anybody was unable to serve, I raised my hand and in my best imitation of a slightly inebriated homeless bum I asserted that I felt it was morally wrong to pass judgement on anybody. I cited the Bible where it says "Judge not," and said I didn't feel right in doing it. He excused me.

I was called once here in Oregon. This time I wrote the judge a letter and explained that I considered jury duty to be a form of involuntary servitude. I said that I would take the juror's oath only under duress, and that morally and legally an oath extracted under duress (the threat of a contempt citation) is not binding, and I would therefore feel free to decide on a case by whim or even the toss of a mental coin, and, since nobody can know what is really in my mind, nobody would know. I suggested that such a juror was not the kind he wanted. He did not excuse me, but no trial lawyer wants another attorney on his jury, so I got sent home anyway.

I'm a little surprised at this.

If jury duty is a form of involuntary servitude (can't say I disagree), what is the alternative? Do we think there are enough fair people who want to volunteer for jury duty instead?

I've had concerns that jurors are not necessarily peers and how they are selected based on what the lawyers "want" for the case.

I've been on a grand jury. I can't say it was something I would want to do again but it was interesting.

I too dread the inconvenience of getting called. I've heard of judges making the decisions in some places instead of juries. I am curious what would work better, but that is probably too big a topic and tangent for this thread.

In rare cases where the judge hears the case & decides that the Facts & Law pertaining to the case are 'overwhelming', judge can dismiss the jury in saying that the 'danger' of a wrongful decision over-rides a possible jury mistake.

Very Rare. In highly technical cases, it's possible to confuse a jury unless they're experts in the field. The judge can refer to technical data, the 'state of the facts/art' of any matter while jurors Can't.

Scientific & Medical cases are most frequent, Ultra-rarely for criminal cases.

Example: When I was a (short-time) trooper, we used to do a Skid Test when there was a serious car accident to determine the co-efficient of friction tires/roadway. This was used to determine the stopping distance when a car's brakes locked up. Until layers tore it apart, that is...

IDK if they're still doing this or not...

Interesting. Thanks.

If you have a shrink, he or she can sign your form to get you out.

From anxiety disorders to suicidal ideations etc, any psych dx will usually be accepted.
You just fill out the summons with your therapists signature & mail it to them.

At least that's how it works here in California

I rather enjoyed my jury experience. I brought a book to bind my time, and I was fortunate enough to be seated for a civil suit that was presented and decided on the same day. I missed by a couple places being seated for a murder case that lasted almost a month.

I served jury duty back in the 70s, while a 9 to 5 worker bee, so that was like a week's vacation. I was on 2 juries. On the criminal case of a felon in possession of a firearm, we decided not to believe the cop. In a tort case, I told the plaintiff attorney that I was in the insurance claims business, with what I thought was an impressive title. After I helped guide the jury to a defense verdict, I chastised the plaintiff attorney for letting me stay on. He said that he'd hoped my ethnicity would overcome my insurance training. He judged a book by its cover, the dummy.

The last time was I was called, I reported as directed. This was about eight years ago. At the security checkpoint, when I emptied my pockets, the 40-something completely out of shape guard told me that I would have to toss my black Sharpie pen into the trashcan, which he pointed to. I asked why. He said it was because minorities would use Sharpies to graffiti the bathrooms. I explained that I was there to do jury duty, sort of trying to get across the concept that not all minorities did that sort of thing. He took back the minorities label and said that no one was allowed to bring in a Sharpie, chief judge's orders. I told him I wasn't throwing it away. He told me that I wasn't getting in then. So I left.

I wrote a letter to the jury commission in the county seat and got a letter back telling me that my jury duty was completed and they'd get back to me when my number came up again.

Citizenship can be silly sometimes. Remember the Draft?

Been called twice. First time was waiting in the courtroom for the selection process to begin when a court officer told us the matter had been settled and we were dismissed. People who'd booked off work were pissed. 2nd time I got called after my 65th birthday so I checked the appropriate box on the form and sent it back. Exempt now for the rest of my life. BTW they pay C$50/day plus some expenses up here. What's it pay in your jurisdiction?

Back in the 70s, we got $5/day, but free parking, which in Downtown LA was a real perk.

Where I live, it’s $15/day.

I've only been called twice. The last time, everybody had to wait for hours until the cases cleared. Nobody called called even for a trial pool. The other time, I was in an alternate trial pool, and had to tell the judge that I worked for a law firm for a year. The firm did international trade cases, so I can't imagine my being super insider influential in a civil tort or aggravated assault case. I was not chosen. Whoopee! Lots o' waiting, but no trial both times.