OT - Being called for Jury Duty!

[Debbie]

Hope you don't get into trouble - ours said it must be filled out and returned within 5 days

Oops!!! DS got his a few weeks ago. He finally picked it up (he doesn't live at home) this past weekend. AND knowing him slightly well.....he probably hasn't sent it in yet.

 

[ferris198]

My DH was picked a few years ago to do jury duty, and at the time it was a really busy time at work, so he had to bring in a letter from a manager and then had to defer his time to another time which was granted.
When you go down there you may not actually be selected for jury duty you are just put into what they call a pool of prospective jurors. It doesn't mean you will get selected. You have to go through a process in which they may may not call you. Also too I believe in Ontario that employers are regulated to pay you if you are involved in a long trial.
In my husbands case jury selection was 2 weeks, and he wasn't called to be a juror but you have to sit there for the process.

 

[cabmom]

I was called last year at the end of my pregnancy. I did not have to go!

Marilynn

 

[disyady]

I got my form to fill out in Oct 05, then I got the summons in Sept to report on Tues Oct 10. I had to be at the Brampton courthouse at 1 pm and by 2 pm they told us we could leave, but that we are "on call" until today (Thurs). If I don't get a call today, then I am dismissed. Needless to say I'm not too eager to answer the phone until tomorrow! Apparently they have so many trials going on right now that they just didn't have any place to put us and their backlog is the reason that it isn't as easy to be excused any more. You can get deferred, but not excused as easily. We are nervous now that my husband will get called because legally your company only has to hold your job for you and his company (which shall remain nameless) does not pay him for jury duty. We were even worried about me serving for too long because he only gets 10 vacation and 7 sick days paid per year, after that he doesn't get paid if he takes time off. If your company pays you for jury duty, it is part of your benefit plan and you should be very grateful! Keep your fingers crossed for me that I don't get that call today!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

Don]t police officers, judges, justices of the peace, etc. have to spend a lot of time in court in other roles besides as jurors?

 

[tnt39kids]

Hope you don't get into trouble - ours said it must be filled out and returned within 5 days

tink&cinderella

oooh, I guess I'd better stop by the post office today then. I wouldn't wanna get into trouble and miss my trip to WDW

 

[disneyvacationmom]

I know it says that the forms must be returned with a certain amount of time but actually, since the forms are sent by regular mail, there is no proof that you ever received them in the first place. That being said, I filled mine out like a good girl and ended up being on a jury in June. I quickly found out that an employer does not have to pay you and the courts only start paying paying you after 10 days(hence a lot of trials last 9 days). After 40 days, the pay from the courts goes up. I also learned that if you are called that you should take a lunch since I had to report by 10 am was chosen by 11am and the trial started immediately(we were given time to call our bosses and families to let them know that we would be busy for the next while) and then went to court. They were very good to us--usually muffins or donuts in the mornings and always a fridge of cold drinks. Also tea, coffee or hot chocolate. We had a lunch break every day and we could leave to buy lunch except for the day we were sequestored--they provided us with lunch that day and took us out for dinner. That day, we were watched like hawks--even at the restaurant, if we went to the washroom a court officer went with us. I actually loved the experience, it was a civil trial so only 6 jurors--we all got along well and I found the proceedings very interesting. Very fun actually

 

[LisaNJ25]

I think she showed up wearing Mickey Mouse Ears, singing IASW all the way down the hall.

That's what I'D do !



MaryLiz

Hmm I may have to try that I just got my first summons last week.. I so do not want to go. Plus I dont have anyne to watch my 1 and 2 yo unless hubby takes the day off.

I am going to mail it back today and put than I am home with my kids.

I was also annoyed to see they pull people from the DMV list.. hmm so those who dont drive should never be picked?