Jim's Gem

Thanks so much for posting this. I got a jury summons a couple of weeks ago and completely forgot about it until I opened your thread. I immediately went searching and found it. I am supposed to report on the 28th of September.
I have gone twice, but never got called. I spent my whole day reading a book.

I'm trying to decide if I should request a specific day. I can send my card back in and request a day that week that I will report or I can send my card back with a specific day in another time period. Work is an issue, my boss would not be happy if I had to report on a work day!

canmitch1971

Many years ago I was a juror in a murder trial. The guy went to his mother's and beat her to death with a hammer. They tried to get him off by saying he was insane when he did it. He went to a hardware store and bought some duct tape and a hammer. He got someone to take care of his pet rabbit. He took the bus to his mother's town, broke into her house and killed her. He then cleaned himself up, called a taxi and went home. It was the hardest thing I have ever done but I think I did it well. I concentrated very hard on getting all the facts etc. I am glad I did it but never again. We found him guilty and he got life without payroll. It took a lot out of me. I was drained when I got home. It took me about 3 or 4 days to recover.

Skeat

I sat on an all day jury selection that paid me for the day of $12! I was glad it was me they called and not dh for how were we to pay for the house at 12 a day? Here no one makes up the difference. I wasn't picked to go on to the trial. That went on for 2 weeks and they took a bus out of town for it. I would still do it again w/o complaint.....but, I believe 'you do the crime you do the time'....:)They prob won't call me:)LOL Skeat

Mousie

gee, without talking to you? almost like, since I have eaten before, I can't be a judge for cakes and cookies at the county fair... not quite the same, I know, but, I have a SIL, that works at one, and he is very decent and fair, figures, you know what you did to get in here...learn from it, straighten up, do your time, and get out and go on your way.
Course he doesn't work with the worst offenders, either.

BellaBoo

From what I saw of the judges I had, they were not pleasant to the jurors that tried to get off jury duty. The only ones they excused was a mom with two kids that needed special care, and a man who was very hard of hearing, and this was out of 100. The ones that said their employer couldn't do without them, the judge said let's bring your employer here and let him/her hear me tell them why you can be excused, give the info how to contact your employer to this nice gentleman right there. Next! The company I worked for gave me time off with pay, they did for all jury duty employees. Said paperwork cost more to deduct the jury pay then it was to just pay for the day. I never was asked if I was opposed to the death penalty, or if I had issues about race, religion, or other things they ask on tv. I was asked my work history and family background. If the lawyers wanted you on the jury you got picked.

sewmuch

About 3 years ago I was called for a 30 year old cold case.....his DNA popped up on the data base.....rape and murder of an 8 yr old child, left in her backyard, Mom was out partying when crime committed....he was the one, they had saved all the evidence....very interesting to me, never having been selected before, lasted about 2 1/2 mos.....didn't have to go everyday...they waste lots of time.....met a lot of nice folks too.....

He got the death penalty and is in San Quentin.....

bearisgray

I served on a jury (still don't know if I was a regular or alternate) for an asbestos case (years ago). I think we were paid about $15 a day and maybe $0.15 per mile for mileage.

The county selects us - I'm not sure what the method is.

It seemed like there was a lot of hurry up and wait. Plus it seemed so choreographed - and one couldn't ask the questions that I thought I should have been asked - (I think I fell asleep a couple of time)

It turned out that the case was settled out of court and we weren't told the results. The judge seemed pretty down to earth and considerate of the jurors.

I was surprised I was selected - maybe because it was at the end of the day and there weren't many people left to choose from - one of the questions asked was how I felt about smoking - and I told them that I thought smoking could exacerbate a condition - and I also told them that I felt that just because something was "legal", that didn't necessarily make it "right"

I think using the word "exacerbate" spoiled my hayseed country hick image. Which expression I find offensive, by the way. Why? Because people have to have "smarts" to survive in whatever environment they are in. I have no street smarts whatsoever, but I do know where the milk comes out of a cow. (Although I was pretty old before I realized a cow had to have a calf before she would produce milk)

I've often wondered how much information/facts a jury actually gets to make a really informed decision.

I found that my butt got tired, my back bothered me, my feet got antsy, and I had a hard time staying awake.

azdesertrat

My employer pays us for jury duty,and then the county or city pays gas mileage if it is over a cetain milage.I have reported several times,but was never actually picked to serve.And I have no problem telling them my opinions,they rally want to know that helps them decide wether or not to keep you

nativetexan

I think i listened with an open mind up to a point. i used to think if someone was arrested and brought to trial, they were 90% guilty. sad but true. since the O J trial (I watched it every day) I've changed my mind. i can't sit on a jury anymore. i must know!!! 100% and that's almost impossible. i can't "think" someone guilty anymore. it's too important!
O J's trial blew my mind. such is life.

Cathy M

I got escorted from the court room by the baliff when I reported for jury duty. The defense attorney asked the question " Do you think that an innocent person could be charged with a crime?" My answer was: " I don't know who in this courtroom is guilty- but someone in here is, the court system personnel, police officers, etc. are too busy to 'create' false charges. Who in their right mind would create more work for themselves by charging an innocent person with a crime?" The judge told me to stop talking and the baliff was ordered to take me out of the court room. Had the rest of the day off to goof off :) :) :) :) :)