Did my civic duty

[Sphyrna]

I had my jury duty today. OMG was it boring!!! Nothing like sitting around all day. I didn't make it in the first group the questioned. So I sat there playing on my iPhone and taking naps. I did get called for the next group. It still took forever until I got called up and asked questions. Then back to my seat for more iPhone and naps. At 4:00 they still hadn't finished questioning everyone for this trial but they already had a list of potential jurors they weren't using. So they called their names and asked them to go into the other room. My name was called, which meant no jury for me. In a way I was disappointed, as I thought it'd be an interesting trial...a homicide! But at the same time I'm glad I don't have to drive downtown for the next several days!!

 

[OrlandoMike]

First of all....thanks for doing your civic duty! Not enough people take this seriously....

I've gotten called twice in the past two years.....but look at the bright side, today we have computers and Iphones! Not too long ago you were stuck in a room with a stack of two year old People magazines!

 

[Sphyrna]

Yea, everyone always complains about having to do jury duty, but I didn't mind. I did take it seriously and was actually interested in what was going on. I just hated the sitting around. But you're right, at least we have laptops and phones and stuff now. I was surprised when I saw that we were allowed to bring laptops and stuff.

 

[turkygurl]

It's funny, but I've never been called for jury duty. My mom, who lives two counties away (albeit a much, MUCH smaller county) gets called on average of once a year. I'd do it if asked, but have never even gotten a letter. Weird.

My dad, a (now retired) 25 year veteran correctional officer for the state, gets letters, but never picked. I wonder why.... LOL

Come to think of it, JaxPiper hasn't gotten picked either. It's not like Duval County is THAT big. It's only a million people; and some of them are too young, have too long a record, or don't have a "primary" residence in the County. Wonder if my name is flagged "NO" since I used to work for the State Attorney's office and Clerk's Office?

 

[mikelan6]

I've been called a few times, but never chosen. You're right, it's very boring. Here in Miami, they show movies in the room - usually romantic comedies.

Did they have free wifi in the room???

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

DH went last summer, but they dismissed him by noon. I don't think he ever got to the point of them talking to him.

I haven't been called in FOREVER, but I always have children under age 10 who would be unattended if I went to jury duty so I can opt out. It doesn't say the children have to belong to ME. I wouldn't mind serving on a jury, but trying to take time off of work would be REALLY complicated. Plus I DESPISE driving downtown.

 

[PghLybrt]

Last time I got called I had just broke my foot and was on crutches. Not only that I do all the payroll and it was a payroll day for all stores. They did not care about either of these things. So the employees had to wait to get their checks! They told me there are 2 handicap spots I could use. They were of course both filled(not to mention that would have been a huge fine). The courthouse (in Butler) is up hill from where you park. I am not kidding it took me an hour to get up the hill in crutches. The lady when I checked in looked at me like I was crazy for showing up. I did get picked, wasn't thrilled about it. I really did not like the questions they ask of you.

 

[wallyb]

I get called all the time - they call me "Hang em Wally!"

 

[Sphyrna]

I've been called a few times, but never chosen. You're right, it's very boring. Here in Miami, they show movies in the room - usually romantic comedies.

Did they have free wifi in the room???

I'm not sure if they had free wifi or not, I don't think so. I didn't have my laptop, just my iPhone. It didn't pop up saying it found a network but I might have that turned off. Besides, I'm paying AT&T $30/mo for data, I'll use their network.

 

[Sphyrna]

I get called all the time - they call me "Hang em Wally!"

How's it hangin?

 

[PHILCT]

Congratulations on getting to fulfill your civic duty.

The process is boring.

The part I hate is where all the Lawyers arrive at court hoping for a last minute deal as they attempt to assemble a Jury Pool.

Often a court case is plea bargained at the last second before it truly starts, while about 50+ would be jurors sit bored waiting for something to happen.

I wish they would change the system so that the plea bargaining ends within 24 hours of the Jury Pool being assembled, so this "last second plea bargaining game" can stop. I have arrived on Jury Duty day when there are several cases and none of them ends up going to trial.

At least that is what it feels like in my state of Connecticut.

If I could only control the TV remote control in the Jury Pool waiting room !
But I probably would be the only one wanting to see a PIXAR film.


Phil

 

[zeitzeuge]

Good for you!

Over the past 10 years, I've probably been called at least 5 times for Jury Duty. Three times I've been picked to actually serve on the Jury. Once I was picked as head juror. Nightmare. It was a case of inappropriate firing of three constables by the city. One over the age of 55, one hispanic woman and one hispanic male. The city was already found guilty of firing them, so our job was to figure out the cash award, after two weeks of testimony.

It was an interesting time. I had to have one juror handcuffed to her chair since she threatened to leave and not participate. I was labled the ****** of the group. But we got the job done. Took a full week to figure out a dollar amount for someone who was wrongfully fired. That includes insurance lost, time and hours lost, retirement lost and even pain and suffering. Plus interest.......I felt like an accountant.

I found the whole thing fascinating and look forward to having the chance again.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

A mom I know is a jury consultant. Talk about a REALLY interesting job!

I would be one of those that one side would want and the other side would kick me off. I tend to see things in absolutes.

Mr. Z, I couldn't be out of work for 2 weeks. I am also not sure I could sort out monetary damages to people for wrongful termination.

 

[turkygurl]

I've helped out attorneys on jury selection criteria before, so it's all how you answer the questions. If you wanted to, you could skew your answers enough to get picked, and then come out of left field during deliberations. It's happened before. Very interesting process to me, so it makes me a little sad that I've never gotten to participate in that side.

 

[Sphyrna]

Congratulations on getting to fulfill your civic duty.

The process is boring.

The part I hate is where all the Lawyers arrive at court hoping for a last minute deal as they attempt to assemble a Jury Pool.

Often a court case is plea bargained at the last second before it truly starts, while about 50+ would be jurors sit bored waiting for something to happen.

I wish they would change the system so that the plea bargaining ends within 24 hours of the Jury Pool being assembled, so this "last second plea bargaining game" can stop. I have arrived on Jury Duty day when there are several cases and none of them ends up going to trial.

At least that is what it feels like in my state of Connecticut.

If I could only control the TV remote control in the Jury Pool waiting room !
But I probably would be the only one wanting to see a PIXAR film.


Phil

I know what you mean, Phil. Sometimes it's even worse. It'll be near the end of the trial and they cut a deal. It's almost like they're waiting to see how the trial goes before making a deal. My mom said the same thing, they should have a cut off of when a deal can be made.

 

[Sphyrna]

I've helped out attorneys on jury selection criteria before, so it's all how you answer the questions. If you wanted to, you could skew your answers enough to get picked, and then come out of left field during deliberations. It's happened before. Very interesting process to me, so it makes me a little sad that I've never gotten to participate in that side.

My friend said if he was ever actually selected he would go against what everyone else thought and just be a jerk about it and drag it out. When my other coworker was on a jury they had their verdict immediately when they went to deliberate but decided to wait and have them provide lunch first then submit it!

 

[hematite153]

I've never been called for jury duty either.

I'm confused by the people saying that they couldn't afford to be out of work. In Canada any full-time employment is required to continue paying you while you serve jury duty. I take it that's not the same in the US? (Shift-work part-timers can get a raw deal though.)

I do a job where I could easily opt-out (it's called something different) if called, but, I'd probably go anyway and just deal with the fact that it would mean crazy-long days for me.

I'm also surprised that you were allowed to use your iphone. I've heard of people being denied paper to write/doodle on while waiting to find out if they would be on a jury. The idea that you can access the outside world, but, not draw a picture seems ludicrous.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I've never been called for jury duty either.

I'm confused by the people saying that they couldn't afford to be out of work. In Canada any full-time employment is required to continue paying you while you serve jury duty. I take it that's not the same in the US? (Shift-work part-timers can get a raw deal though.)

I do a job where I could easily opt-out (it's called something different) if called, but, I'd probably go anyway and just deal with the fact that it would mean crazy-long days for me.

I'm also surprised that you were allowed to use your iphone. I've heard of people being denied paper to write/doodle on while waiting to find out if they would be on a jury. The idea that you can access the outside world, but, not draw a picture seems ludicrous.

I am not sure what the actual laws are. I *think* if you work for a corporation you are supposed to be given paid time off to serve on a jury. BUT I also think a lot of corporations really discourage it. I know DH said when he went that they would make him flip his days around so he was doing jury duty on his day "off" and still working 5 days.

There are different laws for small businesses that employ fewer than 10 or so employees. Since having an employee out causes a hardship they operate under different rules.

I am a nanny, so although I am employed by a family (as opposed to being self employed) I can't just go off to jury duty and expect to be paid my salary. It would either come out of my sick leave, vacation time, or my pay would be docked so they could pay a replacement.

The pay for serving on a jury is $6 per day, so obviously that doesn't offset losing a day of salary.

 

[Sphyrna]

Only $6?? Guess I hit the jackpot then, we get $9 here, plus mileage!! I was paid $13 and some change for the day. Then I gave $5 of that back at the parking garage. Had I not parked in the one garage that they give a voucher for, I would have ended up losing a couple bucks for the day if I paid regular price for parking.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Only $6?? Guess I hit the jackpot then, we get $9 here, plus mileage!! I was paid $13 and some change for the day. Then I gave $5 of that back at the parking garage. Had I not parked in the one garage that they give a voucher for, I would have ended up losing a couple bucks for the day if I paid regular price for parking.

Yep. $6. And there was some crap procedure about going to some window on a different floor or something if you wanted to request your check - I don't recall what DH said. Then he had to wait for them to MAIL his $6. I think there is a garage for jury parking but if it is full that's too bad.