Jury Duty....Again!!

[Angry Eyes]

This is budget related because I am a substitute teacher and if I don't work I don't get paid. This past spring, I served a week of jury duty for my county in Ohio. Just yesterday, I received the federal juror questionare to see if I "win" and get picked to be a federal juror. I filled out the form and asked to be excused because even though it was on the county level, I just served this same calendar year. I explained that if I don't work, I don't get paid and that this will cause financial hardship (I work nearly every day as a sub). I will complete and return the form regardless, but does anyone have experience on this topic? What are your predictions, will I be asked to serve AGAIN? TIA.

 

[lizzytizzy]

In NJ, if you did jury duty, you're off the hook for 3 years. You should find out what the rules are in your state.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Same in MA. I had one day of jury duty in Distict Court about four years ago, and we were told we were then exempt from jury duty in ANY court for three years.

I'm just waiting for the next notice...

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

I served Federal Jury Duty some years back in Washington state. I was picked for the pool but was # 14 for the trial jury. It was settle out of court. We were called back in to the court room for some reason, heck if I remember why. In the mean time we were all informed it was a drunk driving case on a Military Reservation _Fort Lewis-. Let me tell you how your Tax dollars are spent--- I was set up in a Very Nice hotel of my pick. I think I chose the Sheraton in the Tacoma area. Federal Court must have an account there as I had a beautiful room. Since I was traveling alone I had room service Dinner that night and room service Breakfast morning of the picking of jury. I did have to stick around in case there was a trail even though I was an alternate. I traveled 100 miles each way. Now for the best part I was paid some gosh awful amount per mile for driving my own car there. I was given almost double what I spend for the over night accomocations so made over 100.00 for that. My food was paid by what I paid -- I did need to keep receipts and turn it. I mad near 600. for my time and expenses ( not counting the food). Now this was maybe 15 years ago but would I serve again--- In a Federal Court Minute. Not sure if the poster works every day but maybe this time Federal Court Jury Duty is worth your time even if it is in your county. Let me know how it goes if you serve.

 

[Swimalie]

My mother-in-law keeps getting called for Federal duty. I believe she's been called once a year for the last 11 years. She tried the hardship since years ago she was caring for her elderly mom who couldn't be left alone. They didn't care and she had to report anyway. Federal judges really don't give leeway on hardship cases. The strangest part is that her son, my husband, works in a law enforcement capacity for the Feds. No criminal trial would ever pick her. But their system keeps sending her notices, for civil I guess. I don't believe she has ever been paid for driving to the court and home (about 30 miles).

 

[MaleficentRN]

I've heard of people getting off for hardship. The worst they can say is no.
If it makes you feel any better, my federal jury duty fell on my days off, so I wouldn't get reimbursed by my employer. But, I would call every night to see if they needed me in to come in the morning. So, maybe if they don't need you you can still work the next day!

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Your submission sounds reasonable. I hope that you are excused and find that out soon.

 

[scrapquitler]

This is budget related because I am a substitute teacher and if I don't work I don't get paid. This past spring, I served a week of jury duty for my county in Ohio. Just yesterday, I received the federal juror questionare to see if I "win" and get picked to be a federal juror. I filled out the form and asked to be excused because even though it was on the county level, I just served this same calendar year. I explained that if I don't work, I don't get paid and that this will cause financial hardship (I work nearly every day as a sub). I will complete and return the form regardless, but does anyone have experience on this topic? What are your predictions, will I be asked to serve AGAIN? TIA.

If you get called, it's fairly easy to get out of jury duty. Just know what to say, practice with me "All lawyers lie, Doctors are never wrong, anyone who drinks should get put away for life, I think all bankers are criminals" etc, etc. enough blanket statements that make the lawyers nervous about your ability to look at the case objectively, and they will not choose you. You need to be smart about it and make sure they don't choose you if you don't want to be chosen.

 

[amcnj]

Here in NJ being asked again within 3 years is reason enough to be excused, but that is from another round of NJ court service. I don't think it affects being excused from Federal Court jury duty. I have seen many excused for financial hardship on the state level, but am not sure how that is handled on the federal level. You might also try asking it be postponed till the summer if that would work better for you financially.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you get called, it's fairly easy to get out of jury duty. Just know what to say, practice with me "All lawyers lie, Doctors are never wrong, anyone who drinks should get put away for life, I think all bankers are criminals" etc, etc. enough blanket statements that make the lawyers nervous about your ability to look at the case objectively, and they will not choose you. You need to be smart about it and make sure they don't choose you if you don't want to be chosen.

Ah. Because judges and attorneys are naive, have never heard any of this before, and will autimatically fall for this string of baloney?


Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight .

eta: I found this http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/1871 on fees (reimbursement - which somewhat explains the above poster who was put up in a hotel); this http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/JuryService/JurorQualificaitons.aspx about qualifications and exemptions (one is, if you've served Federal jury duty within the last two years; and this http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/JuryService.aspxfor all the information. It's interesting reading.

 

[Ginny Favers]

I do think it's funny that some people keep getting chosen over and over again, while others are never chosen. My father and sister seem to be picked every few years. Me? My husband? Never.

I bet I'll probably get one in the mail today, since I said that.

 

[seashoreCM]

This is budget related because I am a substitute teacher and if I don't work I don't get paid. This past spring, I served a week of jury duty for my county in Ohio. Just yesterday, I received the federal juror questionare to see if I "win" and get picked to be a federal juror. I filled out the form and asked to be excused because even though it was on the county level, I just served this same calendar year. I explained that if I don't work, I don't get paid and that this will cause financial hardship (I work nearly every day as a sub). I will complete and return the form regardless, but does anyone have experience on this topic? What are your predictions, will I be asked to serve AGAIN? TIA.

In almost every case you should be able to get it postponed (after you are summoned) but in almost no case should you expect to be excused for employment or work reasons.

 

[lizzytizzy]

Here in NJ being asked again within 3 years is reason enough to be excused, but that is from another round of NJ court service. I don't think it affects being excused from Federal Court jury duty. I have seen many excused for financial hardship on the state level, but am not sure how that is handled on the federal level. You might also try asking it be postponed till the summer if that would work better for you financially.

I got called for Grand Jury last year and was able to postpone it for a few more years because I have children to take care of and nobody else to do it if I'm not available.

 

[scrapquitler]

Ah. Because judges and attorneys are naive, have never heard any of this before, and will autimatically fall for this string of baloney?


Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight .

eta: I found this http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/1871 on fees (reimbursement - which somewhat explains the above poster who was put up in a hotel); this http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/JuryService/JurorQualificaitons.aspx about qualifications and exemptions (one is, if you've served Federal jury duty within the last two years; and this http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/JuryService.aspxfor all the information. It's interesting reading.

Based on what my family member who is a lawyer told me, they don't WANT people on the jury who don't want to be there. A person who is unwilling to listen to both sides, who is uncooperative and who is resentful of being there, is not going to be a good, impartial juror. So yeah, being combative and overly opinionated is not somethign that they want. A juror who is miserable and difficult is a nightmare for the lawyers, because it sets up for an appeal later.

On the other hand, I have always wanted to be on a jury, and have never been chosen. Go figure.

 

[AJKMOM]

Ah. Because judges and attorneys are naive, have never heard any of this before, and will autimatically fall for this string of baloney?


Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight .

eta: I found this http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/1871 on fees (reimbursement - which somewhat explains the above poster who was put up in a hotel); this http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/JuryService/JurorQualificaitons.aspx about qualifications and exemptions (one is, if you've served Federal jury duty within the last two years; and this http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/JuryService.aspxfor all the information. It's interesting reading.

Got mugged once, never had to be on a jury after that. I just raised my hand and said i didn't think I could be impartial.

 

[Kay1]

I do think it's funny that some people keep getting chosen over and over again, while others are never chosen. My father and sister seem to be picked every few years. Me? My husband? Never.

I bet I'll probably get one in the mail today, since I said that.

Yes, but I don't know why this is. When we lived in Key Largo, I was chosen again and again. Even when we move to St. Petersburg I got another forwarded notice. My husband and friends were never picked.

 

[rock_doctor]

...practice with me "All lawyers lie, Doctors are never wrong, anyone who drinks should get put away for life, I think all bankers are criminals" etc, etc.

If i ever get picked i putting this on a tee shirt under the heading, "Mantras to live by...". plus, those who look guilty - are

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I can sympathize. Not to hijack the thread, but I recently received a questionnaire from the federal district court in CT. Hopefully, having moved to MA over a year ago will disqualify me. If not, I'm sort of agoraphobic, I've had some major medical issues over the past year and I'm also about to start IVF; I'm doing tests every day and if it comes out positive, I need to be available to the doctor at a moment's notice. I put all of this on my questionnaire...fingers are crossed.

 

[rynosmom]

Several Years ago my DH was called for Grand Jury Duty and he was told that everyone must show up to the selection. they call about 100 people to fill about 20 spots. The judge asked for volunteers 1st than picked from those who would be paid by their employer. One guy who worked for the Postal Service tried to get excused and the judge told him no way! lucky for DH never made it to those who wouldn't be paid.

 

[Pumbaa_]

My DH is a jury duty magnet~!

He once had Federal AND state jury duty in the same week!