I've Got Jury Duty Tomorrow

Nerak936 · 06-30-2004

Yup. Gonna do my patriotic civic duty and go to court tomorrow morning. Called the "standby" number three times today, and all times it told me to "appear as scheduled". Oh, well..... it's not all that busy at work right now, so timing is good. When I first got the notice in the mail (mid-April?), I had a moment of panic, because our Playa trip was booked for late May. At least it didn't screw up my vacation in Playa!!

This will be my 3rd time for jury duty. First time was about 15-20 years ago, and everyone said "oh... bring a book... you'll hang out for a few hours and then they'll let you go home". Nope. Ended up seated on jury for DUI. It was a fascinating experience, as it was my first time in a court room. Trial was one day, and we came to the verdict quickly.

Second time was about 10 years ago in Boston. Pain in the arse to have to go in there (I live and work south of Boston). Took the train into Boston and then had to ask "friendly Bostonians" (yes, there are a few here and there) where to find the courthouse. Didn't have a clue where the hell I was. My panel hung around all day. Panel after panel was called up to be seated for trials. We sat there and watched as the waiting room got emptier and emptier, all the while wondering WHEN ARE THEY GONNA LET US GO HOME???!!! Finally around 3 PM, the court clerk called us around her and informed us that yes, we could now leave. The parties that we had been waiting on had settled (plea bargained) the case only minutes before. She felt it only fair to inform us that we had all come this close to being seated on a jury for a trial for white slavery. She also said that they had anticipated that it would've been an 8-10 week trial!!!

Egad. I hope nothing like that happens to me tomorrow. Wish me luck!!!!!

So.... What jury duty stories do you all have??

Hang 'Em High Karen

TAPPY · 06-30-2004

I have never been called to jury duty !!!! I guess cause all the jurys in Louisiana are rigged by the crocked politicians

.....jussssst kidding.....mostly.

But In my line of work for a large financial institution I have had to go to trial many times.....so it makes for an interesting day.....and alot of people watching......and you get to hear a lot of sad storys....(makes you really thankfull for your own little happy life)

Rainman · 06-30-2004

Im a EX cop that has been to court one to many tmes. The last time I was in court the accused;defense lawyer;judge & jury pissed me off so I took out my gun and shot my self. Then I woke up from that dream and decided not to be a cop no more. Court sucks.

Seeking Justice(for Karen) hope your in and out quick.

Rainman

Nerak936 · 06-30-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainman

Im a EX cop that has been to court one to many tmes. The last time I was in court the accused;defense lawyer;judge & jury pissed me off so I took out my gun and shot my self. Then I woke up from that dream and decided not to be a cop no more. Court sucks.

Seeking Justice(for Karen) hope your in and out quick.

Rainman

Thanks, Rainman.... I hope it's quick too. But I'll be bringing my new book from David (it's called "A Cat is Watching" - about cat behavior, etc. - looks fun to read.... he found it at an antique store in his daily travels on the job.. what a sweetie, huh!) and a coupla catalogs to thumb through. And ... now that I think of it, I've been meaning to read "War and Peace".... maybe I can polish that one off during my wait!!

I'm glad you're not a cop any longer, Ray. And I bet Mo feels the same.

Critter · 06-30-2004

When I moved to Maryland 17 years ago I was still in the Military and my voter registration card, drivers license all where marked that way. Servicemen are exempt. I have never been called, I wonder if my stuff is still tagged?

good luck tomorrow, which ever way you want it to go.

cuffedlinks · 06-30-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainman

Im a EX cop that has been to court one to many tmes. The last time I was in court the accused;defense lawyer;judge & jury pissed me off so I took out my gun and shot my self. Then I woke up from that dream and decided not to be a cop no more.
Rainman

Definitely time for for Wapner...

**Bumper** · 06-30-2004

Jury - A group of 12 people brought together to decide who can afford the best lawyer.

How would you feel about having your fate decided by a bunch of people who aren't smart enough to figure a way out of jury duty?

One of life's little pleasures that I have so far - touch wood - managed to miss.

Seakony · 06-30-2004

Bumper is correct! They should tell you what the trial is about and how long it should go before they start selecting their panel. Then you can decide if you really want to be selected. There are ways not to get chosen...like you read all about it and already decided, act totally stupid, fall asleep, etc.
It really bugs me to spend 3 weeks on a murder trial, find guilty, and they get off with 3 years in prison.. and some of the judges are idiots. just my 2 cents worth.. I guess it is still the best system in the world. I get out of going.. there is no smoking at the courthouse and that infringes upon my rights!

Nerak936 · 07-01-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumper

How would you feel about having your fate decided by a bunch of people who aren't smart enough to figure a way out of jury duty?

..... ahem! .....

**Bumper** · 07-01-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerak936

..... ahem! .....

My mistake, Karen, I thought you liked the idea of serving. :o I understand the food is pretty good, and Henry Fonda looked like he was having a good time. Gee! You mean it's not like in the movies??

Sheryl in MI · 07-01-2004

Just had my turn last week. We sat there for 5 hours and they finally told us they had no trials scheduled for that day. Does our government know how to waste time and money!!! My fiance went yesterday and was dismissed in 30 min. because he's an ex cop. He told them that on the form he sent in but they still wanted him to show up. They had to pay him for 58 miles and 1/2 days pay.

Nerak936 · 07-01-2004

Here it is, 1:30 PM, a mere 5 hours after I reported for jury duty, and I'm back home. No, I didn't go to work. To hell with that. If I lived farther away from the office, they wouldn't expect me to show up. I told bossman "see you Friday" and got no response, well.... maybe a grunt....., so I'm considering this afternoon to be payment for being a good citizen.

Showed up at courthouse at 8:20 for 8:30 appt. Spent 3 hours hanging out in the law library with 14 other people. No one spoke one word to each other. Watched a large (very) 25ish guy snooze throughout the "Jury Duty" tape they played for us (heaven forbid if HE ended up on a trial!). Other than a 10-minute break, it was 3 hours of trying to get my Swedish ass comfortable on those awful chairs. Read my book (which was interesting - thank you, David!). The Judge Of The Day spoke to us at one point. Said there were two cases, one which would be most likely be settled without a jury, and one that would need a jury once a necessary witness showed up. Nice guy. Nice black robe. Back to waiting and wondering when I'd regain some feeling in my butt (where do they get those chairs??)

At 11:30 we were taken to the courtroom where we were sworn in (assault and battery case) and the defendant and the witness saw us and we saw them. No one left. After that, it was a matter of holding my breath every time the clerk read a name for the empanelling (they needed 7 jurors for the trial out of the 15 standbys). I made it out!! Even after three original jurors were dismissed, I beat the odds and was in my car by 11:45.

Yeah, I feel a little guilty about not going to work afterwards...... but I'll try to get over it. I got gas, got my car washed, picked up some groceries, and hit the ATM for some weekend cash. See? I've been productive!!

There's a part of me that would've liked to have been seated for the trial. Would've been interesting.

Critter · 07-01-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerak936

There's a part of me that would've liked to have been seated for the trial. Would've been interesting.

That's the part you were sitting on and it went to sleep!

Nerak936 · 07-01-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critter

That's the part you were sitting on and it went to sleep!

**Bumper** · 07-01-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critter

That's the part you were sitting on and it went to sleep!

Somebody once told me, "The mind can only absorb what the butt can endure." Mind you, he was referring to a business meeting, but I believe the principle is universal, and accurate.

06-30-2004	#1 (permalink)
Nerak936 Crazy Cat Lady =^.''.^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southeastern Massachusetts Posts: 18,339	I've Got Jury Duty Tomorrow Yup. Gonna do my patriotic civic duty and go to court tomorrow morning. Called the "standby" number three times today, and all times it told me to "appear as scheduled". Oh, well..... it's not all that busy at work right now, so timing is good. When I first got the notice in the mail (mid-April?), I had a moment of panic, because our Playa trip was booked for late May. At least it didn't screw up my vacation in Playa!! This will be my 3rd time for jury duty. First time was about 15-20 years ago, and everyone said "oh... bring a book... you'll hang out for a few hours and then they'll let you go home". Nope. Ended up seated on jury for DUI. It was a fascinating experience, as it was my first time in a court room. Trial was one day, and we came to the verdict quickly. Second time was about 10 years ago in Boston. Pain in the arse to have to go in there (I live and work south of Boston). Took the train into Boston and then had to ask "friendly Bostonians" (yes, there are a few here and there) where to find the courthouse. Didn't have a clue where the hell I was. My panel hung around all day. Panel after panel was called up to be seated for trials. We sat there and watched as the waiting room got emptier and emptier, all the while wondering WHEN ARE THEY GONNA LET US GO HOME???!!! Finally around 3 PM, the court clerk called us around her and informed us that yes, we could now leave. The parties that we had been waiting on had settled (plea bargained) the case only minutes before. She felt it only fair to inform us that we had all come this close to being seated on a jury for a trial for white slavery. She also said that they had anticipated that it would've been an 8-10 week trial!!! Egad. I hope nothing like that happens to me tomorrow. Wish me luck!!!!! So.... What jury duty stories do you all have?? Hang 'Em High Karen

07-01-2004	#11 (permalink)
Sheryl in MI way into it Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 138	Just had my turn last week. We sat there for 5 hours and they finally told us they had no trials scheduled for that day. Does our government know how to waste time and money!!! My fiance went yesterday and was dismissed in 30 min. because he's an ex cop. He told them that on the form he sent in but they still wanted him to show up. They had to pay him for 58 miles and 1/2 days pay. Last edited by Sheryl in MI : 07-01-2004 at 08:11 AM.

07-01-2004	#12 (permalink)
Nerak936 Crazy Cat Lady =^.''.^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southeastern Massachusetts Posts: 18,339	My Jury Duty Trip Report Here it is, 1:30 PM, a mere 5 hours after I reported for jury duty, and I'm back home. No, I didn't go to work. To hell with that. If I lived farther away from the office, they wouldn't expect me to show up. I told bossman "see you Friday" and got no response, well.... maybe a grunt....., so I'm considering this afternoon to be payment for being a good citizen. Showed up at courthouse at 8:20 for 8:30 appt. Spent 3 hours hanging out in the law library with 14 other people. No one spoke one word to each other. Watched a large (very) 25ish guy snooze throughout the "Jury Duty" tape they played for us (heaven forbid if HE ended up on a trial!). Other than a 10-minute break, it was 3 hours of trying to get my Swedish ass comfortable on those awful chairs. Read my book (which was interesting - thank you, David!). The Judge Of The Day spoke to us at one point. Said there were two cases, one which would be most likely be settled without a jury, and one that would need a jury once a necessary witness showed up. Nice guy. Nice black robe. Back to waiting and wondering when I'd regain some feeling in my butt (where do they get those chairs??) At 11:30 we were taken to the courtroom where we were sworn in (assault and battery case) and the defendant and the witness saw us and we saw them. No one left. After that, it was a matter of holding my breath every time the clerk read a name for the empanelling (they needed 7 jurors for the trial out of the 15 standbys). I made it out!! Even after three original jurors were dismissed, I beat the odds and was in my car by 11:45. Yeah, I feel a little guilty about not going to work afterwards...... but I'll try to get over it. I got gas, got my car washed, picked up some groceries, and hit the ATM for some weekend cash. See? I've been productive!! There's a part of me that would've liked to have been seated for the trial. Would've been interesting.

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06-30-2004	#2 (permalink)
TAPPY Weeziana peep Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 14,683	I have never been called to jury duty !!!! I guess cause all the jurys in Louisiana are rigged by the crocked politicians .....jussssst kidding.....mostly. But In my line of work for a large financial institution I have had to go to trial many times.....so it makes for an interesting day.....and alot of people watching......and you get to hear a lot of sad storys....(makes you really thankfull for your own little happy life)

06-30-2004	#3 (permalink)
Rainman life=playa Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cincinnati;OH Posts: 538	Im a EX cop that has been to court one to many tmes. The last time I was in court the accused;defense lawyer;judge & jury pissed me off so I took out my gun and shot my self. Then I woke up from that dream and decided not to be a cop no more. Court sucks. Seeking Justice(for Karen) hope your in and out quick. Rainman

06-30-2004	#5 (permalink)
Critter añejo Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cerca de Washington DC Posts: 3,343	When I moved to Maryland 17 years ago I was still in the Military and my voter registration card, drivers license all where marked that way. Servicemen are exempt. I have never been called, I wonder if my stuff is still tagged? good luck tomorrow, which ever way you want it to go.

06-30-2004	#7 (permalink)
Bumper Class Clown Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 9,243	Jury - A group of 12 people brought together to decide who can afford the best lawyer. How would you feel about having your fate decided by a bunch of people who aren't smart enough to figure a way out of jury duty? One of life's little pleasures that I have so far - touch wood - managed to miss.

06-30-2004	#8 (permalink)
Seakony añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: no longer in Mesquite with nothing to do Posts: 10,146	Bumper is correct! They should tell you what the trial is about and how long it should go before they start selecting their panel. Then you can decide if you really want to be selected. There are ways not to get chosen...like you read all about it and already decided, act totally stupid, fall asleep, etc. It really bugs me to spend 3 weeks on a murder trial, find guilty, and they get off with 3 years in prison.. and some of the judges are idiots. just my 2 cents worth.. I guess it is still the best system in the world. I get out of going.. there is no smoking at the courthouse and that infringes upon my rights!

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