I just did this in July and now I have to go again in October?
UGH!
I know, I know... civic duty, blah blah blah.... jurors represent a cross section of the community... yadda yadda yadda.... without regard to race, gender, national origin, age or political affiliation... yeah, whatever! You know people will do anything or say anything in the hope that they're not picked for a jury.
At least I get a day away from the office!
Has anyone gotten out of being selected for a jury? What did you say that got you out of it?
Has anyone served on a jury? If so, would love to hear the story about it.
8 comments:
I went through the process and ended up in the final group of 14 potential jurors. We each had to approach the prisoner's box and look at the accused, a stunningly-handsome young man who had held up a convenience store.
As I looked at him, I thought, "If you had only listened to your mother and finished school, you wouldn't be in this situation, young man!!" I was instantly rejected by the lawyers on both sides; I think they could read the expression on my face.
My jury experience was both good and bad. It lasted six and a half days (bad). The first day was voir dire and that lasted until 7pm! The jury pool was 150 people. That large number was called just to find 7 people (6 jurors plus 1 alternate) who could sit on a jury for a trial that was expect to last over a week.
The trial started on day 2 and most of the first two days of the trial we spent in the jury room while the lawyers and the judge got their act together.
Witness testimony was cool. The medical experts the plaintiffs had were idiots.
Closing statements on day 6 lasted until 6pm, then the judge made us deliberate until 8pm with no dinner! The last day we came back for a few hours of deliberation in the morning and it all wrapped up by lunch.
Would I do it again? Yes, but would tell the judge during voir dire that it is cruel to keep jurors until late at night and not feed them.
Served once and was excused once. To get excused just tell the truth. Due to the nature of the crime I had questions whether or not I could be truly impartial. The judge called me up and we had a brief discussion and he could tell that I wasn't trying to fake it. So, by telling the truth, I was excused.
The trial I served on was a civil case in which we were charged to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to rescind the civil rights of a man and commit him to a program for sexually violent predators (he had already been convicted and served time for the sex crimes). The District Attorney's representative was not prepared and did not do a good job. It was a hung jury.
PS Best tip to get both attorneys to toss you is to show up fully suited up in Banker's Drag. They won't know what to make of you.
I sat for 2 days on a civil case about 5 years ago; our verdict was for the defendant. plaintiff's attorney was an asshole, and so was the plaintiff.
where I live (in the philly burbs), once you are summoned you cannot be summoned again for a minimum of 3 years.
Believe it or not, I would love to serve on a jury: i would be honored so.
Alas I am never picked nor will I ever. I just have to open my mouth and disclose :
I am a psychiatrist
I have experience in court with court commitment cases
And I used to work in a law firm, so I have some experience with legal procedures.
Usually I don't get any further than the 'P" word...
I've never been summoned. Yet.
In Massachusetts, it's One Day or One Trial, and then you're good for the next 3 years.
I got called about a year ago - we sat in the court room while the lawyers picked and choose, I was dismissed from that particular trial, and then our particular jury group number was dismissed for the day. W00t!
I've sat in the jury pool room at least 6 times over the years. When I was finally accepted for a trial I was stunned. It was a powerful experience and I learned a lot. It ain't like the movies, folks.
I survived. Next time they call, I plan to wear a noose. ;-)
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