Did jury duty once, being half deaf I could hardly hear a thing. Got another summons a few months later. The novelty having worn off I informed them I was deaf and I haven’t done it since.
My friend told me that when he was called for duty, a prospective jurist was asked if there was anyone in the courtroom he had already informed an opinion regarding. After saying he couldn’t stand lawyers, he was quickly dismissed.
Panel two is just one reason I’ve never served on a jury, even though I would be glad to do it. My last jury summons was cancelled due to the Covid restrictions.
Got called for jury duty a couple of years ago, child sex abuse case. Selection took the better part of two days. One younger women told the lady judge that she should be excused because “I just don’t want to be here” followed by an exasperated sigh we could all hear. Judge made her wait until the very end of selection before letting her go. “Jurors u,v,w,x,y,z, you are excused with our thanks. You, miss, stay right where you are”. Repeated several times over two days. Don’t tick off the judge!
“A guy in a black muumuu showed up and recounted the plot of ‘my cousin Vinnie.’ …Ok it was a robe and the guy was a judge but it’s not nearly as entertaining to say it that way.” -Jim Butcher “Jury Duty”
I’ve served on more than one jury, and been rejected more than once in “selection”. One of those latter was because of the way I expressed my impartiality in a civil case.
The lawyer: “Are you prejudiced against Pakistanis?”
I: “Why would that matter? Both parties in this case are Pakistani.”
I was called for county grand jury once, and served. I liked that. Not picked as a juror when I had to report for the town or county court. I don’t think I would like to sit for a trial.
Served on two criminal juries, one was interesting and the other was entertaining! They lasted 3 and 4 days from selection day to verdict.
Net experience was the time spent (and wages lost) were actually worth the time invested.
Yes we all questioned if would WE want to be judged by 12 people with so little pull they could not get out of jury duty. After the trials we pretty much agreed that we did!
I’ve never actually served on a jury. One time I was seated and sworn, but then we were all hustled out, and half an hour later, brought back to be told that the case had been settled. Every other time, I’ve been excused, probably because I speak in complete sentences and make nice distinctions. (Yes, I just used “nice” in the lawyer’s sense. What can I say? I was in a production of “Iolanthe” once.)
In New Jersey, they used to automatically exclude not only lawyers, but teachers and telephone linemen.
I got jury duty notices several times, but those cases were all settled ahead of time, except for one. I didn’t even try to get out of it; it didn’t seem like that big a deal. It lasted for two days. The only bad part about it was that I worked nights and was not used to being somewhere at 8:00 in the morning, but I managed. I was grateful that my employer kindly paid my regular wages for those two days. But I was surprised when I called my supervisor to let her know I’d be on jury duty, and she actually asked if I could work in the evenings after court let out! (Uh, NO – when was I supposed to sleep?)
BE THIS GUY over 4 years ago
A jury pool in DC.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 4 years ago
" …. or have a brain in your head, or have ever read an actual book written for adults, or can walk and chew gum simultaneously, or …"
Randallw over 4 years ago
Did jury duty once, being half deaf I could hardly hear a thing. Got another summons a few months later. The novelty having worn off I informed them I was deaf and I haven’t done it since.
mourdac Premium Member over 4 years ago
My friend told me that when he was called for duty, a prospective jurist was asked if there was anyone in the courtroom he had already informed an opinion regarding. After saying he couldn’t stand lawyers, he was quickly dismissed.
HappyDog/ᵀʳʸ ᴮᵒᶻᵒ ⁴ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵒᶠ ᶦᵗ Premium Member over 4 years ago
Panel two is just one reason I’ve never served on a jury, even though I would be glad to do it. My last jury summons was cancelled due to the Covid restrictions.
bbenoit over 4 years ago
Got called for jury duty a couple of years ago, child sex abuse case. Selection took the better part of two days. One younger women told the lady judge that she should be excused because “I just don’t want to be here” followed by an exasperated sigh we could all hear. Judge made her wait until the very end of selection before letting her go. “Jurors u,v,w,x,y,z, you are excused with our thanks. You, miss, stay right where you are”. Repeated several times over two days. Don’t tick off the judge!
Wizard of Ahz-no relation over 4 years ago
“A guy in a black muumuu showed up and recounted the plot of ‘my cousin Vinnie.’ …Ok it was a robe and the guy was a judge but it’s not nearly as entertaining to say it that way.” -Jim Butcher “Jury Duty”
summerdog over 4 years ago
They actually ran out for a smoke. Those darn cravings, you know…
Droptma Styx over 4 years ago
Well, it IS D.C.
Troglodyte over 4 years ago
That’s a pretty exhaustive list right there! :D
Agapostemon over 4 years ago
I think I’ve been called four or five times by time, but only served once. It was a civil case that left the jury hating both parties.
gammaguy over 4 years ago
I’ve served on more than one jury, and been rejected more than once in “selection”. One of those latter was because of the way I expressed my impartiality in a civil case.
The lawyer: “Are you prejudiced against Pakistanis?”
I: “Why would that matter? Both parties in this case are Pakistani.”
Jimmyk939 over 4 years ago
I was called for jury duty while in the military. Was deferred every time. Just once as a civvie, but I know the defence lawyer and was not eligible
summerdog over 4 years ago
I was called for county grand jury once, and served. I liked that. Not picked as a juror when I had to report for the town or county court. I don’t think I would like to sit for a trial.
jollyjack over 4 years ago
Served on two criminal juries, one was interesting and the other was entertaining! They lasted 3 and 4 days from selection day to verdict.
Net experience was the time spent (and wages lost) were actually worth the time invested.
Yes we all questioned if would WE want to be judged by 12 people with so little pull they could not get out of jury duty. After the trials we pretty much agreed that we did!
mistercatworks over 4 years ago
Good reason to befriend a cop.
bakana over 4 years ago
Lotta Tobacco Victims in the jury pool.
John W Kennedy Premium Member over 4 years ago
I’ve never actually served on a jury. One time I was seated and sworn, but then we were all hustled out, and half an hour later, brought back to be told that the case had been settled. Every other time, I’ve been excused, probably because I speak in complete sentences and make nice distinctions. (Yes, I just used “nice” in the lawyer’s sense. What can I say? I was in a production of “Iolanthe” once.)
In New Jersey, they used to automatically exclude not only lawyers, but teachers and telephone linemen.
finnygirl Premium Member over 4 years ago
I got jury duty notices several times, but those cases were all settled ahead of time, except for one. I didn’t even try to get out of it; it didn’t seem like that big a deal. It lasted for two days. The only bad part about it was that I worked nights and was not used to being somewhere at 8:00 in the morning, but I managed. I was grateful that my employer kindly paid my regular wages for those two days. But I was surprised when I called my supervisor to let her know I’d be on jury duty, and she actually asked if I could work in the evenings after court let out! (Uh, NO – when was I supposed to sleep?)