Jury Duty :(

DLI848 · #1 08-22-2011, 11:25 PM

Fellow bassists, I need your help.

So I got picked to be a juror today. I was stupid and didn't argue with the lawyers when they were asking questions, so I got picked. Lesson learned, never ever happening again.

What did you do to avoid getting picked and did it work effectively?

Also, I want to avoid coming to jury duty in the first place next time. I know you can avoid if you have to take care of a person who is disabled. Can I say that I have to take care of my grandma with muscle dystrophy? Do I have to prove that she has it?

carl h. · #2 08-22-2011, 11:27 PM

Suck it up and do your duty.

MJ5150 · #3 08-22-2011, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLI848

Can I say that I have to take care of my grandma with muscle dystrophy? Do I have to prove that she has it?

If it is true, yes. Jury duty may not be fun and exciting, but don't go lying to get out of it, especially in a court room.

-Mike

vincentpghpa · #4 08-22-2011, 11:48 PM

Do your duty. It's not only a right but it's your obligation.

**SamanthaCay** · #5 08-23-2011, 12:15 AM

I told them that as a transgender woman I didn't believe that my country had provided adequate rights and freedoms as where provided to others,
and it was because of this I didn't feel it was my duty to serve a government that wouldn't be willing to return the favor and offer a level of mutual respect and human decency to all its citizens.
Sadly this worked.

Unrepresented · #6 08-23-2011, 12:22 AM

A) Jury duty is part of maintaining the basic rights we all are entitled. That whole "jury of our peers" thing is one aspect of ensuring we're treated fairly by the judicial system.

B) It can actually be enjoyable. My girlfriend served on her first jury a couple years ago and got a lot out of the experience, enough to make me actually look forward to getting called.

You're cheating your fellow citizens and yourself by trying to weasel out of it.

Relic · #7 08-23-2011, 05:05 AM

I just finished my jury duty up last week. Even had a thread complaining about it a couple months ago because this was like my 7th time... my wife has not even been called once.

At any rate, now that you're on a jury, just go with it. It's actually a really really cool thing. As much as I hate jury duty in general I'm still really glad that I did have the chance to serve on a few really cool cases. Good luck!

hover · #8 08-23-2011, 05:37 AM

I have my duty next Tuesday. I am looking forward to serving, as I am fascinated with the process.

DWBass · #9 08-23-2011, 05:47 AM

Also just finished jury duty (got on 2 cases). I gotta tell you, I've never heard such BS from folks trying to get out of serving. My first case dismissed aprox. 12 people before I was called. I couldn't believe the judge was going along with the excuses! My second case had aprox. 6-7 dismissed! Word to the wise....eventually you're going to HAVE to serve! May as well just get it over with!!

P.S. I get to keep the money they paid me which makes it even better! Got $240 out the deal!

Big_Daddy · #10 08-23-2011, 05:59 AM

I can't wait until I get chosen!

However, my brother didn't want to go, so he handled it by calling them number and asking "are there going to be any *insert racial slur for black people* on trial?*. The lady said to not bother coming in, they've already made their decision about him.

This was four years ago. He's never had a reply since.

Webtroll · #11 08-23-2011, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLI848

What did you do to avoid getting picked and did it work effectively?

I am myself and honest with my answers. If you voice your opinions chances are one side or the other won't take you.

Relic · #12 08-23-2011, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Daddy

I can't wait until I get chosen!

However, my brother didn't want to go, so he handled it by calling them number and asking "are there going to be any *insert racial slur for black people* on trial?*. The lady said to not bother coming in, they've already made their decision about him.

This was four years ago. He's never had a reply since.

He's very lucky. A woman tried that in NY (I think it was NYC) and got into a whole lot of trouble - the judge put her on jury duty "until further notice" for using feigned racism to get out of serving. I have no idea how long she had to sit in the jury pool but I think it was for a few weeks.

To anyone who's never served - yeah it's a pain in the butt but it is actually neat in the end.

ehque · #13 08-23-2011, 06:37 AM

I wish I had the chance to ensure my country's judicial process' honesty.

Longhair · #14 08-23-2011, 06:50 AM

Wear this shirt on your first day:

duff beer · #15 08-23-2011, 07:05 AM

Suck it up, do your duty, and think long and hard what it would be like if you happened to live in a country where they don't have juries.

SoonerMatt · #16 08-23-2011, 07:07 AM

You could always bring a gun with you; I'm sure that would free you from any jury obligations, at least as a free citizen.

Just roll with it. Who knows, you might actually like it

dangnewt · #17 08-23-2011, 07:09 AM

In Massachusetts we have a system called "One Day or One Trial." The first time I was called, I was chosen for a DUI case that started on the day I arrived and finished the next day. It was actually pretty interesting.

I've been called a few more times since then, but was not chosen. Most often, because when a defendant (or two litigants) actually show up to the courthouse, they start to get serious about a plea bargain or an out-of-court settlement.

The courthouse staff including the judges make a point of letting you know how important jury duty is and how appreciative they are of your time and willingness to serve. But as nice as they are when you are willing; I have no doubt that they can be bears if you are shirking.

stratovani · #18 08-23-2011, 07:15 AM

I never have a problem getting out of jury duty. I simply write down my Alien Registration number, and poof! I'm off jury duty!

There are times, however, when I'd be curious just to see what it's like. It would in all probability result in some nasty consequences if I tried, though!

Jim Nazium · #19 08-23-2011, 07:35 AM

My one experience on a jury was rather disturbing. It was a murder case. The victim was an old woman who had been severely beaten, raped, and then strangled. I'll leave it to your imagination how the DA established that the victim had been raped, since she was dead and there were no witnesses.

While I recognize jury service is an important part of US citizenship, I hope I never have to go through that again.

Chef FourString · #20 08-23-2011, 07:40 AM

I had jury duty right after my 18th birthday. I told the judge I didn't think it was right for me help convict a man that I didn't know. He let me leave on the spot.