Jury Duty

[Swerd]

I have jury duty next Monday ! I probably shouldn't complain because it's my duty as a citizen, yada, yada…, but my very first reaction was oh cr*p.

If I don't get picked for a trial that day, my responsibility is done.

Any thoughts, ideas, or experiences?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

If you feel like you have more important things to do with your time you can just take a position (answer yes) on basically any question on jury selection (but be honest with your answer)
Staying neutral on all issues will guarantee you active duty

 

[markw]

Dunno about ow they do it there but ere's how it's done here.

Show up at the assigned time and they take your name.

They march you into a courtroom and a judge gives you a speech on how you're being a good citizen and how jury duty works.

You go to a large, crowded room with almost enoug uncofortable chairs for all of us. There are two TV's on, both on a woman's show.

On occasio, an official will call out a group of names. If you name is called, they marcm you down to a courtroom.

You sit and the judge gives a rundown of the case. e calls names your name and you take a seat in the seat number in the jury box.

Remember the number of your seat. You're now that number. Cosider yourself "Juror X"

The judge will ask you a few questions. The prosecuting attorney will as you a few questions. The defending attorney will ask you a few questions.

You may be asked to leave at a time, either during yourr questioning or when another potential juror is being questioned. The don't need to state a reason.

That's all I can say. I've always been excused. I guess I don't have the look that lawyers trust.

I will say that I believe the attornys are looking for someone they think will buy their BS and will dismiss anyone they think they can't BS. That goes for both sides.

 

[its phillip]

I've been selected twice. The first time, everybody in the first two rows of prospective jurors was chosen to sit for the case except for me

For the second time, the case was dismissed or settled after I was assigned so that took care of that.

 

[fuzz092888]

I have jury duty next Monday ! I probably shouldn't complain because it's my duty as a citizen, yada, yada…, but my very first reaction was oh cr*p.

If I don't get picked for a trial that day, my responsibility is done.

Any thoughts, ideas, or experiences?

I remember the last time I got called in it was for a child abuse/rape case. NOBODY wanted that one. I played the "I'm a teacher card", but the judge was getting extremely pissed. I would say, best to get questioned first. You never know how the judges mood will play out. A friend of mine went right after me, tried to play the I'm a teacher card as well but she wasn't so lucky. She got grilled and the judge pretty much brow beat her into admitting she could be an impartial juror.

 

[Midwesthonky]

I have jury duty next Monday ! I probably shouldn't complain because it's my duty as a citizen, yada, yada…, but my very first reaction was oh cr*p.

If I don't get picked for a trial that day, my responsibility is done.

Any thoughts, ideas, or experiences?

The one time I was summoned for service, I was working in another state. That got me out of it. My dad was honest during the question part and stated that he had dated the defendant's sister. He was DQ'd immediately.

My understanding is you will be asked questions in order to determine your beliefs. Each side will want a sympathetic jury. So if you take a more extreme position in your answers, you are less likely to be picked because one side or the other will likely cross you out.

As BSA said, being neutral will likely get you picked. Show up wearing a "Death to Liberals!" t-shirt and you will likely not get picked.

 

[lsiberian]

I haven't been called, but I would be tempted to act crazy for fun.

 

[panteragstk]

Wear one of these and you'll be just fine.

 

[Alex2507]

I've been selected twice.

I've been sentenced twice.

 

[sgtjim]

I was summoned about 10 years ago the first time and last year I was summoned again. Second time, I was not chosen but had to be on call for a month. Never called. First time is a totally different story. 12 folks selected and then 2 backups I believe. Well, due to the wine factor they went through all of those candidates and still needed another, and guess who's name was called. I attempted to "not" have to do it also because I was a teacher, however that didn't work for me and I was selected. After being selected the 12 of us were told we were going to be a special jury, a Grand jury and we would be in session for a week and then would have to return and do it for an additional week a month later. After it was over all I can say I am glad I did it. I learned the number one problem in my current county and most of the rest of the US. Drugs. I bet 99 percent of the cases were somehow drug related.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have jury duty next Monday ! I probably shouldn't complain because it's my duty as a citizen, yada, yada…, but my very first reaction was oh cr*p.

If I don't get picked for a trial that day, my responsibility is done.

Any thoughts, ideas, or experiences?

The few times I was notified the instructions said to call a number between such and such hours to see if your pool group is needed. A number of times I was not needed to even go. Once I served and once almost was picked as the layers were questioning me and then was told they had enough members.

So, you may not even need to go.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I'm afraid of your justice system where the president ,state (state attorney) and federal (DOJ) representatives go on a witch hunt for political gain where there is no probable cause for a criminal proceeding yet goes to trial, found not guilty by a jury of his peers and yet continue to bait and incite.

 

[adwilk]

I'm afraid of your justice system where the president ,state (state attorney) and federal (DOJ) representatives go on a witch hunt for political gain where there is no probable cause for a criminal proceeding yet goes to trial, found not guilty by a jury of his peers and yet continue to bait and incite.

In before lock...

 

[Adam]

If I ever get called to jury duty, I'll just defect to Canada...

 

[MinusTheBear]

If I ever get called to jury duty, I'll just defect to Canada...

...and then you will get called for Jury duty

Seriously though, I watched that trial on TV from opening to closing that was happening in Florida and it was the best example of why the jury system is the best in the world. I had all these pre conceived notions and biases based on the media and political observers prior. None of which came to light in the trial.

Yet IMO you have the president, state attorney and DOJ undermining and not respecting this very system. I find that the most concerning about this whole thing.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have jury duty next Monday ! I probably shouldn't complain because it's my duty as a citizen, yada, yada…, but my very first reaction was oh cr*p.

If I don't get picked for a trial that day, my responsibility is done.

Any thoughts, ideas, or experiences?

Don't worry, you are far too smart. The attorneys, only want people as dumb as rocks on the the jury.

I have been called twice and as soon as the attorneys found out I was a physician, I was shown the exit pronto.

Cancer research studies will get you to the exit fast.

 

[Swerd]

Don't worry, you are far too smart. The attorneys, only want people as dumb as rocks on the the jury.

I have been called twice and as soon as the attorneys found out I was a physician, I was shown the exit pronto.

Cancer research studies will get you to the exit fast.

That was also my experience the last time I was called for jury duty nearly 20 years ago.

The case was a traffic accident-whiplash-injury civil suit and was said to need 3-4 days of medical testimony. The lawyers asked everyone who had finished high school to stand up. Then they asked those who hadn't gone beyond high school to sit down. Then, if you hadn't graduated college, sit down. There were still a bunch of people standing, including myself. After counting heads and conferring a bit, they excused everyone who had gone to college.

If the "lawyers only want jurors dumb as rocks" plan fails, my plan B is to announce to the court that I know Alex and think he is a fine citizen.

I've been sentenced twice.

I'm enjoying reading all these great ideas. Keep 'em coming.

 

[Adam]

If the "lawyers only want jurors dumb as rocks" plan fails, my plan B is to announce to the court that I know Alex and think he is a fine citizen.

And then sit back and watch the defense lawyers lobby for you to be the jury foreman.

 

[its phillip]

I'll go into more detail about how the process worked for me. The first time I got my summons, I had to report to a large room with several hundred people in it. After an hour or two, my name was selected along with those of 39 others for a case that wasn't scheduled until the next day. Fortunately, the courtroom was in the same building so I was already familiar with the area when I came back the next day. Before the selection process, we were given some information about the case, then the questions began. The attorneys asked several questions to several of the candidates, and some of the answers given showed an obvious bias to me and I thought they wouldn't have been selected. They only asked me two questions - if I had any questions, and if I was ready to serve. I simply answered with a no and then a yes. I ended up being dismissed and those people who gave the answers showing their bias ended up being selected. I thought it was fairly stupid.

The second time I got my summons, I was given the option of registering online and skipping the waiting in the big room process. Ended up being selected for a criminal case, which was dismissed the day before the trial was supposed to start.

 

[j_garcia]

Last time I was selected I actually went into court and was eliminated. The guy confessed and they put me on the stand and asked if I would consider "mitigating factors" in the sentencing of said individual. I said "NO. Guilty is guilty." The defense were looking for a life sentence obviously rather than death, so I was eliminated. I've not been summoned since then, but I was actually in court for that one, so technically I fulfilled my obligation as well.