Jury Duty

[PeteyPirate]

I have it tomorrow morning. I have to show up. Is there any chance I won't be there long? I've got a lot of work to do and this is very bad timing. Advice?

 

[RossLT]

I was told by a professor in college that the easiest way to get out of jury duty is to tell them you are educated.

 

[Write-brained]

My wife was recently tagged for a federal grand jury. About a half-dozen questions were related to whether she or her husband worked for the media. We haven't heard back yet, but I'd be surprised if she isn't excused, considering I cover news.

My beef is this is at least the second time she's been called for jury duty and I've never been called. I would love to serve on a jury.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I've been called three times...

Memorize this sentence...


"I think most people who are arrested are usually guilty."

I'm 3 for 3 with that line.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Your honor, I think I would be PERFECT for this jury. I can tell a criminal just like that! It's all in the distance between the eyes.

 

[PeteyPirate]

So if they don't like you as a juror, they just let you go?

 

[Write-brained]

So if they don't like you as a juror, they just let you go?

It all depends on who doesn't like you as a juror. If you have a valid excuse as to why you can't serve on jury duty - try to make this known with documentation before the actual day - you'll likely be excused.

If one of the attorneys strike you, there's a chance you could return to the jury pool for another trial on another day of the week.

 

[User 1019]

I'd love to get called for jury duty. Mrs. tbf has had it twice in the almost 10 years we've been married, but I never have.

I think it might be too late for me, though. IIRC, active duty servicemembers are exempt from serving on federal cases, but not state and local juries. However, most states exempt them.

 

[I Digress]

I started last week.. but I forgot until I saw this headline.. luckily, there's nothing going on and I'm simply on call through this week... so I'm writing this from my home and not jail.....damn, i need to go buy some powerball tickets.

 

[Pete]

You probably don't want my advice. The last time I showed up for jury duty, I was placed on a trial that lasted six months. It ended when the judge called a mistrial on our 12th day of deliberations because of "outside influence" on a juror, just as we were about to deliver a verdict. Ouch.

On a more preachy vein, though, I do genuinely believe that performing jury service is an important part of being an American citizen. It frustrates me that many people feel free to deride jurors in apparently bungled, high-profile cases/messes like Michael Jackson and Robert Blake as "dopes," yet on the other hand brag about how they always get out of jury. The attitude seems to be that only a sap would "allow" themselves to be stuck on a jury. But really, almost everyone is busy, and it never seems to be a convenient time to serve. Does that mean that juries should only consist of those without jobs and retirees?

Good luck with whatever happens.

 

[BYH]

Just say you hate every race. Bingo, home for Price is Right.

 

[mike311gd]

Just say you hate every race. Bingo, home for Price is Right.

And religion. That's a good one, too.

Oh, and frozen yogurt. You know, because it blows.

 

[Flying Headbutt]

I have it tomorrow morning. I have to show up. Is there any chance I won't be there long? I've got a lot of work to do and this is very bad timing. Advice?

Have fun with the trip up the pike. My number got passed over a few weeks ago.

 

[kingcreole]

Just make sure you show up.

If you want out of it, shout out: HANG THE *******!

I had jury duty in June of last year. Showed up, waited 90 minutes before they brought us in the courtroom. Took roll call, waited another 15 minutes. Judge comes out, talks to us about how trial works, how payment works, babbles for 30 minutes when I'm sure all of us had seen "My Cousin Vinny."

Then the judge tells us that at 9 a.m., the case we were to sit on was delayed because of a family illness for one of the lawyers.

They kept us 2 1/2 hours longer for nothing. I was pissed. Missed the Price is Right and everything.

 

[Football_Bat]

I've been summoned for jury duty five times in the last six years. In fact, I'm due to get another summons.

I've gotten out of three of them because you're exempted if you've been called in the last two years.

And nope, being a media member is not an exemption here. ADD: Although the chances are good you'll be politely excused during voir dire.

 

[Bud_Bundy]

I was on a local jury a while back on a 30-day term. The first day they herded about 50 of us into the jury room and gave us a slip of paper with 5 or 6 dates on it. We had to call a number after 6 p.m. the night before to see if we needed to report the next day.

I had to go in three times and was on one jury on a very minor case. Still, it was interesting to see the attorneys play to the jury. The one thing I remember as we filed back in for the verdict was someone saying "nobody smile and nobody look at anybody."

What was interesting was we were paid $50 a day, so when my term was done, I got a check for $250 for the first day, the two-day trial and the two days I was called in, but didn't wind up on a jury. I don't know the way it works now, but I got paid my regular salary and got to keep the $250.

 

[Batman]

Stride into the courtroom confidently, and let the judge know you've already seen this orientation video.

 

[forever_town]

My beef is this is at least the second time she's been called for jury duty and I've never been called. I would love to serve on a jury.

Dad ******* because the court keeps sending him notices about jury duty. They haven't put him on a jury yet, but his partner's never gotten one and I've only gotten one and haven't been called in after the one notice.

The thing he said worked for him was saying "it depends" when it comes to whether or not to convict.

 

[21]

I recently got a questionnaire for Grand Jury duty...a little nervous about that. They take no excuses, altho I attached a letter alleging every possible excuse I could think of. Those juries can last a couple of years. We'll see.

 

[ColbertNation]

I got a summons the other day. I have to call them every day after 5 p.m. starting at the end of March until they tell me when to show up. The letter said to plan on staying there the entire day and to pack a lunch and bring a book.
I'd like to tell them I'd be a perfect juror because I'm psychic. Then again, it can't be any worse than work.