Jury Duty

HappyDad

Has anyone ever done jury duty?

Even as a dub I thought jury duty would be a "different" experience. But of course, we were "encouraged" not to be involved for some reason or other.

Update to 2008. Since I regestered to vote a few years ago and actually voted for the first time in this presidential primary, my name is on the county hotlist and I received a summons for jury duty in the middle of July. I've already done the preliminary questionaire online and have to check (also online) the day before my scheduled appearance date to see if I must show up or if it has been cancelled. This is something I'm looking forward to in a lot of ways just for the "new experience" it will give me. The part I don't like is that they pay you $9.00 for the day and that doesn't come close to covering gas and parking expense, so I'm using public transportation rather than drive into Pittsburgh traffic. One must pay for his/her own lunch also!

If I'm part of the selection, it could be one day, a few, or many, depending on the case. So, even though I'm a little excited and looking forward to it at this time, my real opinion will come out after it is over. I will post my experience of the process.....pro or con at that time.

So, what is your experience and opinion of the judicial process if you've ever done jury duty?

HappyDad

hillbilly

never been on a jury but I have been in the standby pool for my District court.

years ago I worked in small town radio. I sat in several trials taking notes as a reporter. This I can tell you.... I'd rather get a week of assault and battery or a good crime case than some tax case that goes on for a year in Federal court.

Watching two good lawyers go after it on a good case is interesting.

Hill

Finally-Free

I've never been summoned for jury duty, but my mom was - more than a year after she died.

I wonder if the $9.00 a day is taxable income. They really should provide better compensation since people are taking time off work for that. Not every employer will pay someone who is on jury duty.

W

WTWizard

I have been through it twice. The first time, I was an active witless and dogged it during selection (I got on the bench and came up with a lame excuse to get out). The second time, I didn't even make it through voir dire--and got dismissed that day.

As for time, the first time it was a waste of two days. However, they cut it down to a waste of the morning the second time. However, I would rather spend the time on jury duty than having to go to the Grand Boasting Session.

kurtbethel

Definitely a place to be if you want to do something that has impact. When you vote in an election your vote gets diluted by thousands or millions.

Your jury vote gets diluted by 12, and in many courts a sole vote can hang a jury. What this means is if the police waste time dragging someone in for some victimless "crime" and the DA makes a case, you as a juror can call them out on this stupidity by voting for acquittal. Enough of that and they will have to re think how they use those resources, since a DA wants a high conviction rate.

You can also have a say in putting away thugs who prey on people.

A regular jury only hears what is given to them, but a grand jury is the mother lode. They can actually investigate things. I would love that duty. One thing I would do is go after these school officials who have larger budgets with fewer students and then cut teachers from the staff while claiming it is because of budget cuts. I would find out what rat hole they are pouring the money in to and then indict the rats.

BurnTheShips

Since registering to vote 2 years ago, I have been called on the pool three times and had to go in once. However, I never got to actually sit on the jury.

BTS

BurnTheShips

I've never been summoned for jury duty, but my mom was - more than a year after she died.
I wonder if the $9.00 a day is taxable income. They really should provide better compensation since people are taking time off work for that. Not every employer will pay someone who is on jury duty.

I kind of agree with you, but I think it is a matter of civic duty, and I am happy to do my part after so many years of thinking it was all evil in the JWs. Of course, if the hardship was great I guess I would be saying something else.

BTS

ShirleyW

Nine Dollars . . . what part of the country are you in ! !

New York city pays $40 per day

I'm on standby jury duty myself this week, call in and see if your number is included, as of Wednesday, haven't been called yet

babygirl75

I was summoned once. Had to ask to be dismissed because I was still undergoing Chemo treatments and didn't have the strength or energy to attend.

I would love to serve. Her in NC you only get paid I think $12/day but most employers still pay you your salary.

Big Tex

I've been summoned twice and both times our jury pool was dismissed early.

I kind of agree with you, but I think it is a matter of civic duty, and I am happy to do my part after so many years of thinking it was all evil in the JWs.

That's how I feel. It's the least I can do after all those years of uppity judgment I used to have.

Jury Duty

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