Chosen for jury duty and....

[Mrs. Charming]

It just stinks when your family depends on your income and you don't get paid for your jury duty (like most jobs do) and you only get the $9/day. If that weren't the case, I'm sure it would be a lot more enjoyable.

*putting my flame suit on*

 

[cristit14]

I found it interesting too when I was on a jury. I am glad it only lasted 2 or 3 days, but it was interesting

 

[minkydog]

I think it would be really interesting to be on the jury of a high profile case, but at the same time I can see how it would be very stressful to have such a major decision in your hands.

I have never been called for jury duty, but when they do call I hope it's NOT a high profile case. A friend of mine was on the jury for a really terrible animal abuse case*not DIS-friendly at ALL* She was required for about 10 days it it was just a horror. She'll never get the graphic images that they showed out of her mind.

I wouldn't mind if I was asked to sit on a jury case involving drugs or property, but I would have a very hard time of it if it was a child or animal abuse, or murder case.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

No, not at all. I think the people that try and avoid jury service are not smart enough to enjoy the process. It is VERY interesting. I was on a murder trial once and we even got to ride the pokey bus to the scene of the crime. Now, that was pretty cool.



Oh, boy. I was dismissed from a trial three weeks ago by the prosecutor, and the defense atty wanted to keep me on...I wonder what that says about me.

Are you serious? My Dh is at near genius level but doesn't want to do his upcoming jury service mostly because he doesn't want to be in judgement of others. If he gets picked he would do it but he would rather not.

I really resent you calling him an idiot. How would you feel is someone called you that?

 

[Sparx]

I have never been called for jury duty, but when they do call I hope it's NOT a high profile case. A friend of mine was on the jury for a really terrible animal abuse case*not DIS-friendly at ALL* She was required for about 10 days it it was just a horror. She'll never get the graphic images that they showed out of her mind.

I wouldn't mind if I was asked to sit on a jury case involving drugs or property, but I would have a very hard time of it if it was a child or animal abuse, or murder case.

Thats what I mean. Being on a high profile case would really be a mixed blessing. There are so many times that we hear about cases and say, "oh this should have happened" or "they should have ruled this way" well, you would truly have the knowledge of the case, and the influence to have your opinion about guilty/not guilty heard. But if it was a graphic case like that, you may suffer flashbacks towards it. I don't think I could ever sit on an animal abuse case, but I feel like I could do something like drug trafficking or something like that.

 

[pearlieq]

I loved the jury service I got to do. I wanted so badly to be picked and I was really glad I did. I even got to be foreman (yes, I know, this means nothing, but it was enough to amuse me).

Unpopular as the opinion may be, I am also less than impressed by people who try to get out of jury service. Unless jury service would cause a legitimate hardship, I think trying to get out of it is rotten. It means you're either lazy, dumb, weak, or disrespectful of our nation.

I'm not saying it's a picnic, but part of being an adult is bearing up and doing the jobs that need doing, however unpleasant.

My FIL is one of those "gems". He freely admits that he hasn't registered to vote because he doesn't want to get called for jury duty. What a patriot, that one. A real stand-up guy.

 

[Jcricket Fan]

I had always wanted to be called for Jury Duty and finally was about a month ago. I was chosen to sit on the jury it was going to be a civil trial.

I received a phone call late in the day after I was chosen and sent home with the date to come back for the trial it was the court telling me the case was settled!

I had waited all these years and got so close and didn't get to sit for the case.

I was very disappointed. I feel very strongly about my civic duty and it would have been an honor to serve.

Peace.
Colleen

 

[CandyMandy]

I've been called twice and have never been seated.

First time around they filled the jury pool before they called my panel.

Second time around was entertaining to say the least. Criminal trial (armed robbery) where the defendant had decided to act as his own counsel. What a nightmare - during jury selection this barely literate creep just slowed everything down (Judge had to stop him every other minute).

My panel was one of the first brought up for review; the DA spent over three hours questioning twelve of us. For whatever reason he seemed to have a very difficult time understanding what I do for a living (designer for a major hospitality firm) and got more and more annoyed with me as we went along. I knew by the time he finished there was no way he wanted my on his jury - and I was right (the third person excused). The DA did keep two lawyers who were in our panel (so much for that keeping you off a jury!!)

As I was leaving with the other excused people, I heard the judge tell the remaining panels "we expect this trial to last about two to three weeks."

Five months later, my husband showed me an article from the local paper.

The trial has just ended (with -- no surprise -- a conviction).

So no, I don't regret at all not serving that time around!!!

 

[Mikes:)Mom]

I was thinking it would be cool too, and it was UNTIL we went to the jury room to decide if the guy was guilty or not. It was a DUI case. We all the to agree. All of us was really to vote guilty. It was pretty clear. BUT one guy couldn’t decide. Trail ended at 4pm. We had to come back the next day after over 2 hrs. We spend ALL of the next day in a little room. It was unbelievable. We had to go over everything over and over and over and over again. I wanted to scream!! I'm not kidding..He finally agreed to guilty. The trail was 6 hours including 1 hr lunch and 2 breaks. We were in the room for over 8 hours. I’m not sure I really want to do it again!! Good LUCK….

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

It just stinks when your family depends on your income and you don't get paid for your jury duty (like most jobs do) and you only get the $9/day. If that weren't the case, I'm sure it would be a lot more enjoyable.

*putting my flame suit on*

I don't think you need your flame suit. If your employer does not offer jury duty pay, it can really cause a financial hardship...esp if you are chosen and it takes weeks. I wish jury duty pay was more in line with reality. At the very least, they should offer minimum wage.

 

[Arenita]

I've always reported and was finally was chosen last year. The civil (not criminal, thank goodness!) trial took six weeks - the week before Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. An interesting case; great side stories; delays (incredibly and sadly, the defendant died over Thanksgiving break). Rusty Hardin was the defense attorney (not sure what his national prominence is) and the other attorney was quite entertaining himself. The jury was as diverse as could be, but we became quite a tight-knit group. Good to have a man who owns a donut shop on a jury with you! We all found ways to spread Christmas cheer as we missed our holiday gatherings at our jobs. And, oh yeah, I went in to the office some mornings and weekends. The judge, the bailiff and all the attorneys said they had never seen a jury go through so much. Just my luck! And, really, it was. Wouldn't trade it for the world! Don't want to do THAT again. But I will go when called.

BEST thing - the jury pay I earned went straight to my 2009 Disney Fund!

 

[minniecarousel]

The only jury I ever served on was probably 12 years ago. It was a drunk-driving case and I was sure I'd be dismissed by the defendant's lawyer as I admitted to being a card-carrying member of MADD. Nope - I had to stay & serve.

Since I work for a school, I always defer my JD to the summers. I didn't want to serve just a couple of years ago because my Mom depended on me to take her to doctor's appts and I didn't leave her for whole days (I work half-time). The Judge told me that my husband could take a turn and take her to her next doctor appt. But the defense dismissed me. I was glad for that.

I'd be interested in serving if called now.

 

[pearlieq]

I didn't want to serve just a couple of years ago because my Mom depended on me to take her to doctor's appts and I didn't leave her for whole days (I work half-time). The Judge told me that my husband could take a turn and take her to her next doctor appt.

That is so wrong! What a jerk!