Jury Duty

[Lilo's Mom]

I have lived in the Chicago area my entire life, and have been a registered voter since the age of 18 and I am now 45 and have not once been called for Jury Duty. DD, age 20, has just served her second time on jury duty. I mention this to DH who says "You must never taunt the Jury Duty Gods, for they will surely track you down!” Silly me I laughed and within 48 hours I got a summons to serve. So for the past month I have actually been looking forward to serving, heck I’ve watched “The Practice” and “Boston Legal” this could be fun! Denny Crain!

This morning I dutifully reported to court, turned in my forms and sat down with “Memoirs of a Geisha” and waited to be called. After about a 40 minute wait my group is called and we are taken down to a court room to meet the judge and the attorneys. One by one my fellow prospective jurors and I get called and interviewed, and I am beyond gleeful because I have been chosen. We get ushered into a room where we watch a DVD about being a juror then we go back to the courtroom. The Judge announces that more than likely our services will be needed for the next week. Now it hits me….OH NO!!! We leave for Orlando next Wednesday! What do I do? I am now in a panic. I have been planning and waiting for this trip since last August. This can't be happening to me! The judge releases us for 90 minutes for lunch and we are told to be back promptly at 12:30.

Crazy thoughts started running through my head. I have my Disney Travel Documents with me, should I tell the judge that heck I would love to serve, but I am going to Disney! Thinking about it I somehow didn’t think he would accept that as an excuse. Perhaps I Should fake appendicitis, but then visions of fraud start swimming in my head. I call DH at work and tell him what is going on, and he says “Beware the Jury Gods, you are stuck now!” Thanks for the help Hon! Ok, I’m thinking this could still possibly work out, we are not actually checking into POR until June 5th, we have a wedding to go to first, so we may miss that, but we should still be able to get to Disney! Then I start to feel really bad. The wedding we are attending is for the daughter of a very close friend who is like a sister to me. Why oh why did I disrespect the Mighty Jury Gods!

Head hanging I go back to the courtroom and wait for the beginning of the trial. The judge enters and makes the announcement that the attorney for the defense has asked for and been granted a continuance, we may go home, you have fulfilled your civic duty.

Ha Ha silly Jury Gods you have been bested by my love for a mouse! Lessoned learned, I will never again wish for Jury Duty!

 

[Dznypal]

hope never again!!!!!

I hated every minute I was there!!!!

I was so uncomfortable!!!! I didnt want to get called

my DS is a police officer and he said that (now I cant remember which way it went)

but if I got called for either civil or maybe it was criminal I would be asked if I had a bisas and I would say Im bisas towards the police since my son is an officer.

so that was my ticket out but I never had to use it and I hope I never will

 

[disneygals]

Last year I got called and they will only take one postponement, so I was called again this year. After watching a video with Diane Sawyer, I felt so guilty that I didn't want to do my civic duty. I have 3 kids and just didn't know how we'd handle the after school hours.

So anyway, I end up getting myself excused because the trial is for an orthopedic group who treated my dd 11 years ago for a broken arm. Who would've thought that it would get me out of jury duty!

 

[ChristmasElf]

I think it used to be from Voter Registration cards that caused jury duty. But now they also send out notices to people that have gotten tickets or been in a fender bender as well.

 

[tinaluis]

I'm glad you got out of it. Were you at the Daley Center or 26th and California? I've only been called once, and it was to 26th and California. I reported, sat around all day and was never even interviewed as a potential juror. I work for a lawyer, so chances are I'd never get picked anyway. Enjoy your trip!

 

[jfulcer]

hope never again!!!!!

I hated every minute I was there!!!!

I was so uncomfortable!!!! I didnt want to get called

Was called to serve in Milwaukee about 2 years ago also. This was before the Marquette Interchange stuff so there was actually free parking.

While it was not really 'fun', I knew going in that you are pretty much restricted to those rooms/etc and had brought my laptop with me and actually got quite a bit done before I was called. I knew it was 'duty' to be there and do a good job. I was happy to do it.

I'd do it again easily. Hear that Jury Gods? I'd do it again!

 

[Dznypal]

was about the same time I was there!!!!

It was may 25 and 26 of 04!!!!

that would have been funny if we were there at the same time!!!

if you saw someone there that was pale with a look like get me out of here!!!!


that was me

do you still live in the Milwaukee area