Jury duty?
- Thread starter DasBoot
- Start date
It does differ from state to state, or if it's federal jury duty. In most states it is mandatory that if you are called you have to appear unless you have a valid excusal that is ususlly defined in the law. In some staes, you are actually receiving a summons to appear, and it can be considered contempt of court, and there are penalties if you ignore the summons. I notice you are in Florida, like me. Here it is considered a summons.
TheBluesMan
Moderator Emeritus
I received my first summons for Jury Duty this past spring. I wasn't real happy about going either. 
I was one of the fourteen (12+2 alternates) chosen to be on the jury out of a pool of about forty. We listened to a three-day kidnapping trial and then the two alternates were dismissed. My fellow jurors saw fit to elect me foreman. After a day and a half deliberation we convicted the defendant.
I was surprised at how tired I was each night after court. It was emotionally draining more than anything else. I got to meet eleven really good people from my county and we did something good for our community. All in all it was a very rewarding experience; well worth my time.
DasBoot - If you get a chance to serve on a jury - Do It! Regardless of the law; regardless of your duty as a citizen; If it isn't a hardship, you'll likely not regret it.
-Dave
I was one of the fourteen (12+2 alternates) chosen to be on the jury out of a pool of about forty. We listened to a three-day kidnapping trial and then the two alternates were dismissed. My fellow jurors saw fit to elect me foreman. After a day and a half deliberation we convicted the defendant.
I was surprised at how tired I was each night after court. It was emotionally draining more than anything else. I got to meet eleven really good people from my county and we did something good for our community. All in all it was a very rewarding experience; well worth my time.
DasBoot - If you get a chance to serve on a jury - Do It! Regardless of the law; regardless of your duty as a citizen; If it isn't a hardship, you'll likely not regret it.
-Dave
YakandSurf
Inactive
I too served my first jury duty last fall. I went in with a less then excited feeling about being there.
I was selected as a member of 12 + 2 jury. We sat through 3 days of a murder trial, then when the trial was to go to the jury, we were told who the alternates were. I was one of the alternates. I went through alot of different emotions. Both happy that I did not have to vote guilty/not guilty but ticked that I did not get a chance to vote at all.
I did come out of it with a proud feeling of doing a service for my comunity and a little better idea of how a trial unfolds.
The Judge was very appreciative of the jury for being there and thanked us every day for showing up on time and being away for our normal every day lifes.
Robert
I was selected as a member of 12 + 2 jury. We sat through 3 days of a murder trial, then when the trial was to go to the jury, we were told who the alternates were. I was one of the alternates. I went through alot of different emotions. Both happy that I did not have to vote guilty/not guilty but ticked that I did not get a chance to vote at all.
I did come out of it with a proud feeling of doing a service for my comunity and a little better idea of how a trial unfolds.
The Judge was very appreciative of the jury for being there and thanked us every day for showing up on time and being away for our normal every day lifes.
Robert
Blues,
I hear ya!
I just don't like the idea of being FORCED to partake in ANYTHING.
Especially if it's gonna cost me money.
They should compensate each person for whatever their full days wages are.
Or is your employer obligated to pay you for the days?
I'm likely to walk in in a KKK outfit or pour bourban over my head before going in just to spite them!
I hear ya!
I just don't like the idea of being FORCED to partake in ANYTHING.
Especially if it's gonna cost me money.
They should compensate each person for whatever their full days wages are.
Or is your employer obligated to pay you for the days?
I'm likely to walk in in a KKK outfit or pour bourban over my head before going in just to spite them!
I got called for jury duty this past spring. (for the first time in my 42 years on this earth.) I showed up everyday called, and sat, read, and did as much of my work on my laptop as I could. I was called to sit through the jury choosing process, but was never placed on a jury. Kind of a waste of time. BUT, I still felt it had to be done, and was glad that I did.
It's a civic duty but if you go in with an attitude (if he's black/muslim/white/jewish...etc he's guilty) they will probably not want you around. You'll look like a jerk and they'll figure you're an a___ole and dismiss you right off. It's not cool but it will most likely get you tossed if that's what you want. OK in a big city but I wouldn't recommend that strategy in a small town.
I got called for federal jury in Denver a number of years ago. the jury clerk called attendance and the list of no shows was given to the federal marshall's. they come and get you and you appear in front of a judge to explain why you couldn't make. I noticed that federal judges don't have much of a sense of humor so I don't think it would be wise to skip out.
seven of us sat in the jury box for 5 days and it makes for long days. it was interesting though. it didn't make it any easier by having to drive to Denver 5 days in a row 100 miles rounds trip each day.
this trial didn't need to happen if a lawyer would have remembered the term "prejudgment of interest". remember that term if you ever decide to sue somebody. from the time you file papers to sue somebody , you are intitled to interest on the amount of money you are asking for or awarded. if you don't remember the "prejudgment of interest" part you don't get any interest. in this court case it amounted to $129,000 so the money does add up
seven of us sat in the jury box for 5 days and it makes for long days. it was interesting though. it didn't make it any easier by having to drive to Denver 5 days in a row 100 miles rounds trip each day.
this trial didn't need to happen if a lawyer would have remembered the term "prejudgment of interest". remember that term if you ever decide to sue somebody. from the time you file papers to sue somebody , you are intitled to interest on the amount of money you are asking for or awarded. if you don't remember the "prejudgment of interest" part you don't get any interest. in this court case it amounted to $129,000 so the money does add up
Steve,
That's precisely the kind of crap I'm talking about!
If they want you to serve, they should have the decency to make up for your lost time and wages.
I'm the sole breadwinner at our house.
I work 3 jobs, 7 days a wk so mom can stay home with the baby.
I've got a lot better things to do than sit in a jury box for several days listening to some lawyer try to get his dirtbag mugger/rapist/junkie/lowlife client back out on the streets!
I've sent in my paper with my work situation as a reason for dismissal.
If they insist, however, I will make sure they don't consider me fit for duty.
I could care less what they think of me also.
I'm sure there are many, many people that would find the experience fascinating.
Let them go!
was to appear Monday
for jury duty on the county level.My boss sent in a request to be excused since I am one of two employees and it would hurt the company if I had to serve.
P.S
Das- you could tell them you have to devote all of you limited spare time to openning that damn safe
Which by the way was the thread that sucked me into this forum
for jury duty on the county level.My boss sent in a request to be excused since I am one of two employees and it would hurt the company if I had to serve.
P.S
Das- you could tell them you have to devote all of you limited spare time to openning that damn safe
Which by the way was the thread that sucked me into this forum Me? I've been called for jury duty 4 times back home in Harris County, Tx (Houston), and have served on 2 state district court felony juries. One was an aggravated sexual assault, and the other was for sexual assault on a minor. I feel that I had the privilege of sending 2 scumbags who truly deserved it to TDC. Both times, it was a serious business, a serious issue, and it deserved my (or our, with the other jurors) best, most dilligent efforts.
IMHO, there are only 2 ways that the government gives the common citizen to directly influence what actually happens. Only 2 ways that the citizen gets to give his/her direct feedback into the system in such a way that the government has to listen: Voting and Jury Duty. I don't view it so much a duty as a right and a privilege. Even if the daily stipend they gave us jurors wouldn't even cover the downtown parking (which it didn't). I'd do it all over again, gladly -- for the chance to exercise my DIRECT INPUT INTO GOVERNMENT.
IMHO, there are only 2 ways that the government gives the common citizen to directly influence what actually happens. Only 2 ways that the citizen gets to give his/her direct feedback into the system in such a way that the government has to listen: Voting and Jury Duty. I don't view it so much a duty as a right and a privilege. Even if the daily stipend they gave us jurors wouldn't even cover the downtown parking (which it didn't). I'd do it all over again, gladly -- for the chance to exercise my DIRECT INPUT INTO GOVERNMENT.
There are a lot of things that aren't written into law that a person should do. Just because you will be uncooperative is no reason you should be excused.
That said, I have been on jury duty twice and I was paid by my employer. They did require the check from the courthouse, which does serve as proof that I was there.
I guess if I see Das Boot in trouble, I'll call 911 when its convenient.
That said, I have been on jury duty twice and I was paid by my employer. They did require the check from the courthouse, which does serve as proof that I was there.
I guess if I see Das Boot in trouble, I'll call 911 when its convenient.
As a juror you have a unique opportunity to make your voice heard through jury nullification.
My personal belief is that if no one else is injured, or harmed, then no crime has been committed.
Let's say you get picked for a jury foy someone who is carrying without a permit in their vehicle. You have a chance to at least hang the jury and not let an otherwise law abiding citizen get railroaded. You also have the opportunity to show 11 other people the legal arguments for "Shall not be infringed"
Or you can be a spineless little pussy and whine to the judge that you are sick, or some other such BS to get out of it.
My personal belief is that if no one else is injured, or harmed, then no crime has been committed.
Let's say you get picked for a jury foy someone who is carrying without a permit in their vehicle. You have a chance to at least hang the jury and not let an otherwise law abiding citizen get railroaded. You also have the opportunity to show 11 other people the legal arguments for "Shall not be infringed"
Or you can be a spineless little pussy and whine to the judge that you are sick, or some other such BS to get out of it.
DonR101395
New member
Das,
Talk to your employers, many will pay you for the days you miss during jury duty.
Talk to your employers, many will pay you for the days you miss during jury duty.
TheBluesMan
Moderator Emeritus
You might be empaneled on a Grand Jury and be presented evidence by the prosecutor to determine is some dirtbag mugger/rapist/junkie/lowlife should be indicted or not. There might be a bunch of bleedin' heart liberals that just want to let them go. Your vote might make a difference.DasBoot said:
You *could* do a service to your community, but nah... You're much too busy and important for that... I guess schlemeils like the rest of us are the only ones who should serve...
