Jury Duty

[legallyillegal]

Interesting how people claim that you have to be a top-level dumbass to not get out of jury duty, and then in the same breath whine about how stupid juries are.

[boarddad]

I don't mind showing up for jury duty and have been on a couple of juries - no big deal. What makes me mad is the Socialist idea that we can all afford to volunteer the time. That's BS! That just tells me that the courts really don't appreciate the sacrifice. The pittance they pay you is another. Would you ever show up for work if they only pay you for your mileage (one way only) and $50/day only after you have worked a full day for free? Seriously, put that in the want ads and see if anyone calls for the job!

The best way out of JD is to postpone to a holiday week. Getting a room full of public employees to show up long enough to seat a jury is hard enough in a normal week, damn near impossible if they all get Monday or Friday off. I answer the summons and follow the rules and haven't had to do more than call the court in 5 years doing just this. Another way is to call the week before and postpone for just one week. That puts you in the back of the line, or at least it used to.

[Pegleg]

Wow, this thread really illustrates how much Americans take their rights for granted. Most of the rest of the world would LOVE to have the opportunity to participate in a system where no matter their station in society, people are entitled to have their claim or the claims against them heard by a jury of their peers (not politically motivated panels or government prosecutors). I clerked for a federal judge who did a lot of work helping to reform the Russian judicial system, and he said that they were always astounded when he told them that decisions were, in fact, really made by juries and that in 25 years of being a federal judge, no one had ever - ever- tried to bribe or intimidate him into overturning a jury verdict or anything else. The system may not be perfect, and yes - sometimes it involves having to actually sacrifice some of your precious time to keep it running. But if you're ever in a situation where you've been wrongfully accused of a crime, or you've been severely wronged by an individual, a corporation or the government and end up having to bring a claim to make it right, then you'll suddenly find yourself very concerned about whether those twelve jurors are paying attention to what is, at that moment, the most important thing in your life.

[Pegleg]

What makes me mad is the Socialist idea that we can all afford to volunteer the time. That's BS! That just tells me that the courts really don't appreciate the sacrifice. The pittance they pay you is another. Would you ever show up for work if they only pay you for your mileage (one way only) and $50/day only after you have worked a full day for free? Seriously, put that in the want ads and see if anyone calls for the job!

Let me guess - you're a republican who is mad as hell that the damn Obama administration won't reduce spending, at the same time you're advocating here that the federal judiciary (and, presumably, the state judiciaries too) ought to pay the hundreds of thousands of jurors empaneled every year more money. Can you spot the contradiction here? Where is this money supposed to come from, exactly? Courts are already cutting costs in every way possible because the government has to reduce spending - at the last trial I did, there was no court reporter because they couldn't afford one (just a digital recorder) and the judge had no clerk.

So, should we just ditch the jury system because it means you have to spend a day sitting in a courthouse (or at worst, a couple of weeks - trials longer than that happen, but they're exceedingly rare) getting paid minimum wage to help implement a system that's the envy of the entire world for protecting American citizens' rights? Yeah, probably.

[boarddad]

^ no on just about all counts. You ignored the part where I said I did sit on a couple of juries and was fine with the way it went. You also maser the part where I started finding a way out 5 years ago, before Obama was elected. It's the attitude of, everyone can give up a day because we say so. Your time is less valuable than ours - that sort of thing. If his were true, then my strategy of postponing to a (court) holiday wouldn't work, would it? If the budget really was that tight and their time really was that valuable, why do so many public court employees feel compelled to take the whole week off? Go ahead, show up for work, and call me in - I'll take the day off work and show up as I always have. The problem is, I haven't been called in since I started doing it. If the court employees aren't going to take it seriously enough to value my time why should I?

Just a side note; why does anyone need to sit in a jury selection room all day? The court has my age, address and occupation on the summons I returned. Can't they treat that like a resume and have the lawyers go through 90% of the selection process without me being there? That's what any employer would do. That way only a couple of dozen people get called in at the most and you COULD pay them.

[Danno]

I have never been on a jury, but think it would be cool.

And this country is full of hypocritical whiners.

[Hugh Conway]

So, should we just ditch the jury system because it means you have to spend a day sitting in a courthouse (or at worst, a couple of weeks - trials longer than that happen, but they're exceedingly rare) getting paid minimum wage to help implement a system that's the envy of the entire world for protecting American citizens' rights? Yeah, probably.

Minimum wage would be a step up. I don't quite see what your problem is with having the system account for the free labor of jurors as a cost to the running of it either. I'd rather do my "civic duty" digging ditches or collecting trash than sitting in a room waiting for bloviating faggot lawyers to finish their dickering.

I have never been on a jury, but think it would be cool.

And this country is full of hypocritical whiners.

You mean all the lawyers saying it isn't that bad?

[gunit130]

Hugh Conway Posts: 8,158
cj001f Posts: 9,057

Combined Posts = 17,215

[Hugh Conway]

Hugh Conway Posts: 8,158
cj001f Posts: 9,057

Combined Posts = 17,215

gunit130s long list of aliases = ?????

[SterlingSpikeDancer]

You guys are doing it wrong. I got called once, to a federal case in Denver, while I was living in Ft. Fun. I had finished undergrad and hadn't started working or grad school yet and it worked fine for my schedule. Since I lived the maximum distance from the courthouse to NOT require a hotel room, (69.4 miles as I recall), I got mileage ROUNDTRIP each day for 4 days and the $50/day. I ended up making around $650 total for my 4 days, which was better than my hourly wages at the liquor store. I also lucked out since they were seating the jury for the Timothy McVeigh trial the next day in the same court, which I don't think I would have been so happy to be a part of, with sequestration and all.

The interesting thing was that it was a thug from Aurora, and the cops had a sting set up to nab him and also had evidence from the bust there. In no way was the jury that was seated a jury of this guys' "peers", it was 9 white people, 2 latinos, and a Chinese woman. Even with this, I felt like we were fair and only judged the verdict on whether or not the prosecutor proved that he violated the law in question (as was instructed by the judge). At least we debated all evidence and I felt like we were fair with the verdict. Anyhow, it actually made me a little bit more comfortable with the chance of having the same thing occur if, god forbid, I should get put in a situation where I am on trial.

I will go and serve again if/when I get the call, but as a self employed person, no work=no pay, no sick day, no vacation, and I won't have the travel stipend to offset the expense this time. AND I really don't think the jury is always everyone who is "too stupid to get out of it".

[ICEHOCEY77]

Got selected today for a federal civil case. $40 a day, per diem of $139 for hotel (government employee discount) and meals, free parking, and 51 cent/mile for gas. Trial is supposed to last 4-5 days. District court is definitely the way to go.

[Ted Striker]

bump...

My 12 angry men blog:

I've managed to be an adult for over 20 years and not get called, so I figured I'd fulfill my civic duty, and not weasel out.

I was supposedly one of 200 yet only 30 showed. So much for coming up with a creative excuse - just don't show up! I asked how many no-shows they get, and the answer was, "We don't know. We don't track that". commonlaw FTW.

They needed 13 out of 30. Shit! This wasn't looking good. First person scratched broke down and cried when asked their first direct question. Serious wingnut, or academy award nominee. Either way, kudos. Next person gone with, "I'm her friend". Nicely played.

Anyone here have any connection to the legal system?

"I'm a border guard" Next! (Thing is, he actually wanted to be picked)

"I'm a lawyer" What type of law? "Immigration" Not good enough, you're staying. " ...series of non sequiturs..." See ya! (funny thing here was that she was trying to make sense, but too self-involved to stay in context)

"I've appeared before this judge before, and have an issue before him currently. Additionally, I have a previous conviction, but my rights have been restored" No problem, you're on the jury. What in the fuck? Actually, I was kinda glad he made it because he was entertaining in the jury room.

Has anyone been the victim of a crime?

About half of us.

Has anyone ever witnessed a crime?

Only me. Wait, what? How is that possible?

You're not originally from this county are you?

to be continued

[PNWbrit]

You're not originally from this county are you?

Seriously, this question was asked during Jury selection? WTF!?

[Ted Striker]

Yes, by the prosecuting attorney. Since I was apparently the only person to have witnessed a crime, I "must not be from 'round these parts". Ironically, a local bank was robbed that very day.

The defense attorney had some interesting questions as well: How do you feel about poor people? Do they deserve to be poor? Should they have worked harder?
She was subtly arguing her case too: Do you think it's possible for a woman to get a protection order against a man who hasn't abused or threatened her in any way? Can the man be a victim?

She had a nice ass too.

Taking the obvious bait worked - or didn't...

Who here really wants to be on a jury?

Milton Waddams raises his hand. Civic duty, scales of justice, something in Klingon, 12-sided die, unintelligible muttering...
Thanks for playing! What's Milton's parting gift, Don?

Who thinks this is a waste of time, and really doesn't want to do this?

A few hands go up.
OK.

You have got to be kidding me! I could've had a V8?! Facepalm.


You thirteen be back after lunch. As for the rest of you, the Grand Ave Ale House is only three blocks south.

[PNWbrit]

My bad.

I misread it. Thought you'd written country.

Was going to suggest you report them to local bar association. If the judge hadn't already.

[Ted Striker]

Yeah, it was Whatcom County Superior Court, so many of the potential jurors are farmers, or don't live in town. I guess it's pretty quiet out there... except for the Russian Mafia.

[TomCrac]

Ha.... When you said it was "the Whatcom County Superior Court" the first thing that popped onto my head was wouldn't it be funny if they started selling naming rights to the courts.... Ok ... Maybe just funny to me.

I got a jury summons about a month ago, first time in about 10 years. I was traveling, got my dates mixed up and missed the week I was supposed to call the number the night before to see if I was to come in the next day. I would have just let it roll but my wife was freaked that I should call and make sure that I am not going to get arrested(geesh).... I tried to find out if I was in the clear only to be redeposited in to next months pool. What a loser.

[PNWbrit]

Last time my wife was called so few people turned up that the presiding judge sent the sheriff's department out to bring in the no shows.

[Hugh Conway]

wait, it's ok to say you aren't from this county, it's not ok to say you aren't from this country?

back on point for why Jury Duty sucks. The new "upgraded" county system asks you to call after 5pm. Every day of the week. Then after 11am on a couple days at the end of the week - when you'll be expected to show up in under an hour. Could they make it any less convenient for everyone, except the court workers?

[PNWbrit]

wait, it's ok to say you aren't from this county, it's not ok to say you aren't from this country?

No, but it's not OK for defense attorney to ask it.

[Ted Striker]

I'm on the jury, making a difference, fulfilling my civic responsibility, puttin' people in jail. Hmm, not so chuffed about that last one. Maybe he's innocent. Who am I kidding, just look at him! Ok seriously, what are the charges?

Trespassing. Meh. Stealing $40 dollars worth of electricity. Meh. Violating a no contact order... well, maybe that's worth a trial ...by text message. Seriously? SERIOUSLY? And why did this go to court?

First Witness: Detective somethingorother

Did you download some text messages from the defendant's wife's phone? Yes. How many? 156 pages worth.

The prosecuting attorney then called the defendant's wife, and asked her to read every single one! Did you receive this text? Was it from your ex-husband?

Uhhgggg. Kill me now.

Numerous objections and sidebars break up the monotony, until we're done for the day. Maybe I'll die in my sleep.

The next day they met in judge's chambers while we played cards. Someone says what we're all thinking: why are we here. Around 2 pm they reach a deal, and we're excused.

Conway had it right in the first post.

[Ted Striker]

Oh, I suppose I should mention that none of the texts were threatening or harassing in any way, and it seemed like the wife was an unwilling participant. So again, why are we here?

wait, it's ok to say you aren't from this county, it's not ok to say you aren't from this country?

No, but it's not OK for defense attorney to ask it.

It was the prosecuting attorney, and it was more of a flippant remark than a real question.

back on point for why Jury Duty sucks. The new "upgraded" county system asks you to call after 5pm. Every day of the week. Then after 11am on a couple days at the end of the week - when you'll be expected to show up in under an hour. Could they make it any less convenient for everyone, except the court workers?

Exact same system here, and I'm theoretically on call for next week too.

[booner]

My experience was terrible. interesting, but terrible. I lost A LOT of money (2 days a week for 3 months) since I was paid a good hourly rate at the time. I got out of it the first time my number came up, but was required to reschedule myself for a better time. The clerk told me I needed a note from a doctor stating that I was physically unable to be in the room in order to get out the second time around. I was on the grand jury with I think 15 other people. at least 13 of them were retarded and completely unable to keep track of facts and think clearly. One case in particular had me spun. Foreman (father of big name pro jibber coincidentally) shows up to job site in morning and fuel tank was tipped over on the ground...and empty. 250 gallon diesel tank sitting on the edge of a gulley that was about 1/4 mile above the lake. He tried to cover it up to save his company's ass and got busted. They charged him with covering it up...nothing to do with the tank falling, just the cover up. The charge was blah, blah, blah 250 gallons or more...Lesser charge applied if it was less than 250 gallons. I tried to explain to these fucks that if he had called someone the second he showed up and saw the tank on the ground they wouldn't have been able to clean up all 250 gallon...maybe 10 or whatever, but certainly less than 250 and so he should be indited on a lesser charge. They looked at me like I just spoke to them in code and carried on inditing him for all 250 gallons..keep in mind he wasn't being held responsible for the spill, just the cover up. I was the only person that voted no...I could have strangled someone. Left with with even less hope for humanity than I already had...people are fucking stooopit. Especially the older women that sat with me...sad how clueless they were about everything that had been told to them. They would have the facts completely fucked off on almost every case...so frustrating

[liv2ski]

So great to be a Green Card holder when that letter comes in the mail once a year

[Ted Striker]

So great to be a Green Card holder when that letter comes in the mail once a year

My wife says the same thing, but changes her tune around election time.