Jury Duty ... anybody had the honor?
 

I've 12 hours before I report for jury summons.

I've not had a summons in a decade. Back then, I'd already many years under belt as starving blues musician and pretty much fit the profile of "undesirable" and never had to serve.

Since then, i've had a steady job... and don't have the wild look...

Anybody ever have to serve?

i do not want to serve. even though my company pays full the entire time one serves. i always got out of it being a single mother with 3 starving children. ;)

if you want out of it wear a t-shirt that says: "if you are accused you are guilty" they will show you the door.

I thought about wearing one of my 1% biker t-shirts from the Devils Deciples


I'd get jury pay from my employer.... its just that I hate that whole munciple building and people atmosphere. Or church... I got nothing against enlighting sermons... its just sitting and waiting and trying to keep awake that sucks.

The only time I went not a single person was called to be considered for the whole day.

When they notify me I tell them, because of my past treatment by that court, I'd be glad to help out any defendant that is suffering a similar fate. ;)

lol, i'd like that.

Back in the day, (i think i was called about 4 different times) my backup was that the Public Defenders and Criminal Defense lawyers usually partied at the downtown bar/resturants we gigged .. (and many partied on the band bus).... So, when asked if ya know the defendant or plaintiff or their lawyers, etc... I got to play that card.
The prosecuting attorneys would ask "and do you think you could give a fair and impartial hearing under these circumstances?"

(i don't know why they even asked the question.. i was already written off)

Now, I been out of the Downtown Loop, so I don't know any current legal players.

A co-worker said I should just tell them I am a raciest.

I served on a jury for a guy arrested for breaking and entering and grand theft. We found him guilty, based on tons of physical and circumstantial evidence, then as soon as we returned the verdict, we were in formed that this was a 3 strikes case, and that the man would be going to jail ofr 25 years to life.

It kind of took my breath away to know that I had sent a guy to jail for that long. I know my role wasn't to think about the consequences; it was to give an impartial review of the evidence, but still. damn.

Last time I got called was a case about a worker getting hurt on job. So I heard the judge say that if you couldn't read or write you could go. So I raised my hand. And got my donkey out of there!

I would like to serve, as part of my duty as a citizen.

:thumb2: Applause for UT. Think about what kind of people you would want if you're ever in a pickle. The kind of intelligent educated folks you meet on the cellar, or the kind of people they usually get.

Do your duty. It's only a few days.

If you want to serve, move down to DC. We have two court systems, each of which can call youevery three years, and if you show up once, they keep calling. I don't know how many times I've had to go, but I've been on two juries. Both gun charges, one of each verdict.

Even though it is our duty as a citizen...some of us may be cut out for it, some aren't. I am not. I am fully capable of making the correct decisions one would need to make in the jury room and everything else entailed. but...i.e. putting a guy away for life even though the law says he deserves it. I would lose sleep a I tell ya.

I am not a fan of the 3 strikes law to begin with. I am less of a fan of the courts. I am even a lesser fan of lawyers and judges.

Just over 10 years ago I recieved a notice to appear .. I didn't, due to drug issues .. second notice .. I didn't do anything. The third notice was threatening, I still didn't do anything. Haven't heard back from them .. The FBI could be breaking down my door any minute :P

:smashfrea
I served in Feb. of this year... it was a two day process... when it came time to enter the court room from the jury room... the defendant had pleaded guilty and we were free to go... couldn't have been easier... :cool:

I served 2 years ago in Philadelphia and 8 years ago in St. Louis. I loved it...anytime I can get out of work, shit yeah! Got picked as an alternate for the case in Philly...that was a nice 2-day break.