Originally Posted by sandpat
I've been called twice..got off once, had to serve the next time. I was a salesperson, so no worky...no pay. I had a friend with some pull who got me off the first time, didn't even go before the judge.
The second time..we met in a huge room, the judge basically said..if you are no going to your own funeral...you will serve..no excuses..period. This was for a 2 week session. We all sat in a huge room everyday and the attorneys would come in and maybe call your name...maybe not. After a few days of sitting, I was called to serve. It was a train/car accident case. A family was sueing the RR because they didn't have the guard that drops down at this particular crossing where the accident occured. We listened for 3 days...I did listen intently to both sides of the story and wasn't sure which way to decide when they came back and said there had been a settlement.
So...I think that I can listen, however I have a very black/white personality...I just don't see too much gray...you either do right...or you have done wrong type of thing.
DH got called for federal...he had to serve for 2 years...and this has happened to him twice! A nightmare which is another whole story in itself!
Patti, please tell me, your husband didn't serve for two years on the same case? (you could birth an elephant in that time :shock: )
Wow, I guess it all depends on how much evidence, how many witnesses, professionals have to testify, such as police, doctors, psychiatrists, forensic ppl, etc.
I'd like to hear more about some of these things, and how a judge can MAKE ppl serve, short of dying. There has to be some situations with potential jurors, that are considered excusable.
Having said that, I also, believe that we need good ppl to insure that there are fair trials, etc. Would any of us, want to be a defendant, whether accused of a crime, or being sued for damages, etc. and our so-called peers, on the jury, didn't give a hoot to the outcome?
I really appreciate each and every reply and feedback. I didn't realize how interesting this all was. I am intrigued. :D