Jury Duty...

[alissaroot]

I laughed when I checked the mail yesterday and got a summons to appear for jury duty. Murphy's Law. Of course I knew that if I started a big project -like finishing a degree-that something would go wrong. I never would have predicted jury duty, though, it was a surprise. The thing is, I have always wanted to be a juror one time. I've thought about it every time I've registered to vote. I figured it would be interesting to see my local judicial process in action. A guy at work said that if I didn't want to do it, I could just tell them how busy I am with school and everything, that I wouldn't be able to concentrate on a case, and they would excuse me. But I kinda wanna do it. Have any of you guys ever served on a jury? Would you agree to do it in the middle of studying for a big test? How was your experience?

[CLEP101]

My wife got a Jury duty notification also, but since she is in college, she was exempt from it. You should be exempt also. Check into it.

[alissaroot]

My wife got a Jury duty notification also, but since she is in college, she was exempt from it. You should be exempt also. Check into it.

Yeah, that's what one of my friends at work said, and thank you for verifying that. I think I've decided to go ahead and do it though, if the case doesn't reach a settlement and I happen to be selected. I think it would be a novel learning experience, although I know many people see it as an annoyance.

[barcotta]

Yeah, that's what one of my friends at work said, and thank you for verifying that. I think I've decided to go ahead and do it though, if the case doesn't reach a settlement and I happen to be selected. I think it would be a novel learning experience, although I know many people see it as an annoyance.

Since most people apparently do NOT feel it is their civic duty to serve on a jury--our jury pools are usually made up of government and union workers. I have served several times and never tried to get out of it. I once served for three months on a large criminal case in LA (we hung). The good news is--jury duty is a lot of waiting around--PERFECT for studying!

[dc67]

I agree that it is a civic duty. I got out of it once because although I was a resident of Ohio, I was in the middle of the Persion Gulf in the Marine Corps. The next time I was called I was able to go and it was quite an experience. I lived south of Atlanta at the time in a small town. The judge was retired but working part time because the courts were so crowded. Anyway, this guy came right out of an old movie. He was really funny, the way he talked to people. I ended up hearing one case that took a little over 2 days, got selected for a jury of a child molester that luckily plead out before trial and the other days, I showed up and was released for the day. I would recommend going to anyone if they can afford it. Although I think it is our civil duty, I understand we all have bills to pay. Just my 2 cents.

[Lindagerr]

I have never actually been on a jury, but I have a good friend that was recently and found it very interesting. I have been on the other side of it. I was hit by a car when I was a teenager and we sued the guy. This was back in the days when you were lucky if you got enough to pay your medical and lawyer bills. I won and my parents ended up owing the lawyer and I had a big $3000 put in trust for me. ( it did come in handy to pay the lawyer for my divorce). Anyway it is interesting to watch our judicial system in real life.
Also if you usually work full time it will be a shorter day and you will probably have lots of time to study.

[alissaroot]

Wow, three months and a hung jury! Whoa, I hope that doesn't happen. Just the stories themselves are interesting. I live in Indiana, though, and there is not much crime like that in my small farming/manufacturing area. It is more than likely a drunk driving or slip-and-fall type thing, according to what my coworkers have to say about it. The worst I can think of would be methamphetamine cases, but I shouldn't speculate, I'll find out Tuesday.

Almost everyone I have talked to has said it is a good learning experience, even if it is boring or frustrating when 1 juror doesn't agree with everyone else. I'm starting to look forward to it, no matter what, it certainly will be a shorter work day, I work twelve hour night shifts!

[alissaroot]

Update:
Well, it was just a petit jury being selected, only six people. They managed to pick them out of the first ten people called. I wasn't even called up there. The case was a little guy charged with public intoxication and theft. I was surprised at who they did end up picking for the jury. All six were women, aged 35-45, five caucasian women, one hispanic. I expected a little more diversity. I'll have to go get the paper this weekend to find out if the guy beat it or not.