Are DH and I the only ones that get Jury Summons

[Chicago526]

I used to get called every two years like clockwork when I lived in Cook County. Even though I lived about an hour (or more in bad traffic) from Chicago, 9 times out of 10 that's where I had to go to serve. Last summer I was in the middle of selling my home, I was going to be moving to a new county. I was driving home one day and was thinking "Gee, one new benifit of moving is that I don't have to go to Chicago for jury duty!"

Guess what was in my mailbox when I got home that day? Go on, guess!

Yup, a jury summons to serve in downtown Chicago. And the date to serve was 2 weeks before I was going to move! No way out of it!

I don't mind serving, I just hated to have to go all the way to the city to do it! But not any more, I'm in Kane County now, baby!

 

[MinnyGranny62]

Ughh... I KNOW what you mean about getting a jury summons to go to Detroit.. *shudders just thinking about it*

I feel like I need a body guard with me to go from the ramshackle parking lot by the Frank Murphey Hall of Justice to into the courthouse itself. What I don't get is that why don't they send ppl like us who live so FAR a way from Detroit to the court in Romulus ? Makes me want to move to Washtenaw county even more..

Guess where we almost always have to go. I hate the Hall of Justice and that is where we go. Dh has been to our City once and so have I but the rest of the time we go to Detroit.

I make DH drive me down and he stays there and waits for me. The casino's are just around the corner.

 

[minniecarousel]

My 89 year-old has gotten 2 in recent years! (AS IF!)

 

[poohandwendy]

My 89 year-old has gotten 2 in recent years! (AS IF!)

You have an 89 yo? You seem so much younger than that! (I know it was a typo, it just sounded funny, like you were describing your child)

 

[kelleigh1]

Contrary to popular belief, your voter registration status has nothing to do with getting called for juror service. This is a very popular misconception. Selection is actually from census data, so not registering to vote will not keep you from getting called. It's really just luck of the draw.

I've been called a few times and actually served the last time. And just this past weekend, I received a new summons. Here in Massachusetts, you can only serve once every 3 years. My last time was about 6 years ago, so I'm eligible. I'm not sure why everyone dreads it so much. But I guess since it's different in every state, that may effect how you feel.

 

[Nala56]

I was just on jury duty this week, we are already done for the week. I only called called for one case, but was kicked off because I knew too many people involved. It is very interesting though, I sat in on a murder trial that Cyril Wecht was testifying in, I guess he had done autopsy. I wished I could have stayed for whole trial, but we had to report back to jury room as they picked jury for another case.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

I got called in January. They wanted me to come in once a week for a year!! Uh no, I don't think my job would be exactly happy about that. And the bank wouldn't be either since then I wouldn't be able to pay for my school loans. There was about 200 people called that day, only 30 (with bribing) wanted to serve and the lady running the ordeal told us we were horrible people. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

So I come home from work Monday and what do I have, another summons. If they try to pull the same stunt again I will not be happy. For all those who want to serve, would you like to be me for a day? Please?

 

[jekajekalynn]

I got called in January. They wanted me to come in once a week for a year!! Uh no, I don't think my job would be exactly happy about that. And the bank wouldn't be either since then I wouldn't be able to pay for my school loans. There was about 200 people called that day, only 30 (with bribing) wanted to serve and the lady running the ordeal told us we were horrible people. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

So I come home from work Monday and what do I have, another summons. If they try to pull the same stunt again I will not be happy. For all those who want to serve, would you like to be me for a day? Please?

Jeeze Louise!!! Once a week for a year??!! What do they think we all live in some sort of fantasy land where employers are thrilled to let employees do that? I wonder who's bright idea that was.

 

[Tantor]

I usuually get a letter every friggin year. I was picked in 2003 but never got on a jury. I think it is every 3 or 5 years up in Ontario.
What do i have a big "pick me" on my head?????

 

[joshsmom]

Would you like my next one?

SURE!! I've never been to Michigan--I heard it's LOVELY in the Spring/Summer!!!

 

[kelleigh1]

I got called in January. They wanted me to come in once a week for a year!! Uh no, I don't think my job would be exactly happy about that. And the bank wouldn't be either since then I wouldn't be able to pay for my school loans. There was about 200 people called that day, only 30 (with bribing) wanted to serve and the lady running the ordeal told us we were horrible people. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

So I come home from work Monday and what do I have, another summons. If they try to pull the same stunt again I will not be happy. For all those who want to serve, would you like to be me for a day? Please?

Here in Massachusetts, most people receive the usual summons for Trial Juror, which means that if you're not actually seated on a case the first day, your requirement for jury duty is fulfilled and you can't be called again for three years.

However, there is another type of service for which you could be required to appear once a week for a year. I worked with someone who received one of these summonses several years ago. By law, our employer could not keep her from serving. I am not sure if she was paid her regular salary from our employer or if the court paid her. I think our employer had to pay her regular salary.

I do not know the laws in your area, but it's very possible that you will be required by law to fulfill this obligation and your employe will be required to allow you to serve.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

Here in Massachusetts, most people receive the usual summons for Trial Juror, which means that if you're not actually seated on a case the first day, your requirement for jury duty is fulfilled and you can't be called again for three years.

However, there is another type of service for which you could be required to appear once a week for a year. I worked with someone who received one of these summonses several years ago. By law, our employer could not keep her from serving. I am not sure if she was paid her regular salary from our employer or if the court paid her. I think our employer had to pay her regular salary.

I do not know the laws in your area, but it's very possible that you will be required by law to fulfill this obligation and your employe will be required to allow you to serve.

It was for grand juror. Around here usually grand juror is called to attend once a week for 3 months. That is very do-able. This once a week for a year was a brand new thing they were trying out. My group was the first ones. Yes, if I was picked to attend my job woud have to let me, but they would not be happy. Also we were told that you might not always have a case to hear every week. But there was no calling in. You would have to drive to the courthouse and see if there was any session that day. If not, you are released for the day. So that means I would have to take the 40 minute drive there to find out there was nothing, to then take the 40 minute drive home again. It isn't even highway driving, it is all red lights and traffic the whole way. With the price of gas and the little they pay you to be a juror, I would not have been able to afford that and my student loans. It was just a horrible idea. I really hope they don't try to pull it again when I go at the end of the month.

When me and the 170 other people said that they could not be a grand juror for a year we were told that we would then be put in the pool to be a Federal juror in the middle of May for 12 days. I would gladly do that. I am not trying to get out of my jury duty. I would like to serve at least once, but I would like to serve where it is a do-able task.

 

[allison443]

I got called in January. They wanted me to come in once a week for a year!!

I think this might be for a grand jury...not serving on a trial, but hearing witnesses and evidence presented by the district attorney and deciding whether to indict people on criminal charges.

 

[Kitty 34]

My DH and I have both been summons twice in about 10 years time so I guess that isn't too much.

 

[sue1013]

I'm on a jury right now. The last time I was called was at least 6 yrs ago. Really unless you don't have child care or will not get paid (I've never worked for a company that did not pay if you were on jury duty) I think it's just something we all need to do. DH had the once a week for a year that was grand jury. His company paid him and he actually enjoyed it. It's different than a petit jury, you get to ask questions to decide if there is enough evidence to bring the case to trial. It's really not so bad.

 

[DisneyMim]

MinnyGranny62, it's so funny that I happened to come across your thread because I was just talking about this the other day. I seem to get called all the time like clock-work. I even sat on a case. I know people who have never been called. I don't think this if fair, I believe that everyone should be called at some point. I also believe that if you ever have to actually sit on a case for days you shouldn't be called again for at least 10 years, if ever again. I meet another woman on the case I sat on that felt the same way. She had been invloved in numerous cases. I feel that they have my letter all ready to mail as soon as the day comes that they can call me again. Oh well, I guess we are just doing our duty. It can be very interesting I have to say.

Good Luck.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

I get called all of the time. My DW, very seldom.

I've served on 2 Juries and 2 Grand Juries the past three years.

 

[ChristmasElf]

I have NEVER been called to Jury duty . . . I would LOVE to serve, but I've never even been called. I've been a registered voter for almost 20 years, and never once have been called. Its kind of a bummer!!!

Just go get yourself a speeding ticket! That is another way they form a jury pool.

Also, I have friend that was involved in a minor fender bender and about 4 months later, she started getting those jury notices in the mail. So they must also use accident reports as well.

 

[kelleigh1]

It was for grand juror. Around here usually grand juror is called to attend once a week for 3 months. That is very do-able. This once a week for a year was a brand new thing they were trying out. My group was the first ones. Yes, if I was picked to attend my job woud have to let me, but they would not be happy. Also we were told that you might not always have a case to hear every week. But there was no calling in. You would have to drive to the courthouse and see if there was any session that day. If not, you are released for the day. So that means I would have to take the 40 minute drive there to find out there was nothing, to then take the 40 minute drive home again. It isn't even highway driving, it is all red lights and traffic the whole way. With the price of gas and the little they pay you to be a juror, I would not have been able to afford that and my student loans. It was just a horrible idea. I really hope they don't try to pull it again when I go at the end of the month.

When me and the 170 other people said that they could not be a grand juror for a year we were told that we would then be put in the pool to be a Federal juror in the middle of May for 12 days. I would gladly do that. I am not trying to get out of my jury duty. I would like to serve at least once, but I would like to serve where it is a do-able task.

Yes, Grand Juror - same thing she was on. I think it's always been a year here in Massachusetts. 3 months seems much more reasonable, but they won't let me make the rules - as much as I try. I've also never been called for Grand Juror, that may be next. I do work in a law firm, so I'm guessing they really wouldn't have much choice or distaste if I had to go once a week.

 

[ZachnElli]

Contrary to popular belief, your voter registration status has nothing to do with getting called for juror service. This is a very popular misconception. Selection is actually from census data, so not registering to vote will not keep you from getting called. It's really just luck of the draw.

Well that's not true. It depends on the state. Different states do it differently. Maybe that's how they do it in your state. Last year, while living in Idaho, I got a summons and it said it was pulled from either voter registry or from the DMV, right on the summons it said that. Since I was new to the state, I had just done both. I had only been there 5 months when I got my summons.