Jury Duty ... anybody had the honor?

[TiddyBaby]

I've 12 hours before I report for jury summons.

I've not had a summons in a decade. Back then, I'd already many years under belt as starving blues musician and pretty much fit the profile of "undesirable" and never had to serve.

Since then, i've had a steady job... and don't have the wild look...

Anybody ever have to serve?

[Cheyenne]

i do not want to serve. even though my company pays full the entire time one serves. i always got out of it being a single mother with 3 starving children.

if you want out of it wear a t-shirt that says: "if you are accused you are guilty" they will show you the door.

[TiddyBaby]

I thought about wearing one of my 1% biker t-shirts from the Devils Deciples


I'd get jury pay from my employer.... its just that I hate that whole munciple building and people atmosphere. Or church... I got nothing against enlighting sermons... its just sitting and waiting and trying to keep awake that sucks.

[xoxoxoBruce]

When they notify me I tell them, because of my past treatment by that court, I'd be glad to help out any defendant that is suffering a similar fate.

[busterb]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

When they notify me I tell them, because of my past treatment by that court, I'd be glad to help out any defendant that is suffering a similar fate.

Last time I got called was a case about a worker getting hurt on job. So I heard the judge say that if you couldn't read or write you could go. So I raised my hand. And got my donkey out of there!

[SteveDallas]

The only time I went not a single person was called to be considered for the whole day.

[TiddyBaby]

lol, i'd like that.

Back in the day, (i think i was called about 4 different times) my backup was that the Public Defenders and Criminal Defense lawyers usually partied at the downtown bar/resturants we gigged .. (and many partied on the band bus).... So, when asked if ya know the defendant or plaintiff or their lawyers, etc... I got to play that card.
The prosecuting attorneys would ask "and do you think you could give a fair and impartial hearing under these circumstances?"

(i don't know why they even asked the question.. i was already written off)

Now, I been out of the Downtown Loop, so I don't know any current legal players.

A co-worker said I should just tell them I am a raciest.

[smoothmoniker]

I served on a jury for a guy arrested for breaking and entering and grand theft. We found him guilty, based on tons of physical and circumstantial evidence, then as soon as we returned the verdict, we were in formed that this was a 3 strikes case, and that the man would be going to jail ofr 25 years to life.

It kind of took my breath away to know that I had sent a guy to jail for that long. I know my role wasn't to think about the consequences; it was to give an impartial review of the evidence, but still. damn.

[Pie]

Originally Posted by smoothmoniker

I served on a jury for a guy arrested for breaking and entering and grand theft. ...we were in formed that this was a 3 strikes case, and that the man would be going to jail ofr 25 years to life.

At least it wasn't shoplifting or jaywalking!

[glatt]

I've served once. Also a gun charge. Just before we were about to deliberate, the guy did a plea bargain, because I think he realized that he had incriminated himself on a technicality during his testimony.

Up until that happened, we had had a couple breaks. I was amazed during those breaks by my fellow jurors. Some of them didn't follow simple instructions, they discussed the case before they were supposed to. I'm not a bossy/confrontational type, so I didn't tell them to stop discussing the case. As I listened to what they had to say, I was a little dismayed by their cluelessness. They latched on to trivial aspects of the case and ignored the "smoking gun," and they assessed the credibility of witnesses bases on their clothing. Granted, it was just the few jurors who were the same ones that didn't know enough to not deliberate until it was time that were also the ones who were so clueless, but I left with some concern about the state of the jurors in Arlington county, VA. It's probably the same or worse elsewhere.

You hear a lot of people complain about those crazy juries out there that will award someone $8 million when they get burned by hot coffee. We need level headed citizens to serve on the juries. Everyone should do their part.

[Undertoad]

I would like to serve, as part of my duty as a citizen.

[dar512]

Applause for UT. Think about what kind of people you would want if you're ever in a pickle. The kind of intelligent educated folks you meet on the cellar, or the kind of people they usually get.

Do your duty. It's only a few days.

[Happy Monkey]

If you want to serve, move down to DC. We have two court systems, each of which can call youevery three years, and if you show up once, they keep calling. I don't know how many times I've had to go, but I've been on two juries. Both gun charges, one of each verdict.

[Cheyenne]

Even though it is our duty as a citizen...some of us may be cut out for it, some aren't. I am not. I am fully capable of making the correct decisions one would need to make in the jury room and everything else entailed. but...i.e. putting a guy away for life even though the law says he deserves it. I would lose sleep a I tell ya.

I am not a fan of the 3 strikes law to begin with. I am less of a fan of the courts. I am even a lesser fan of lawyers and judges.

[Messy_Babe]

Just over 10 years ago I recieved a notice to appear .. I didn't, due to drug issues .. second notice .. I didn't do anything. The third notice was threatening, I still didn't do anything. Haven't heard back from them .. The FBI could be breaking down my door any minute :P