Jury Duty

[stevej37]

Just received a jury duty summons for Feb. 5
I think this is my fifth time getting called....had to appear twice, and never picked to stay.

I wouldn't mind being on the jury...if it was an interesting case.
My chances of getting picked are slim.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Just received a jury duty summons for Feb. 5
I think this is my fifth time getting called....had to appear twice, and never picked to stay.

I wouldn't mind being on the jury...if it was an interesting case.
My chances of getting picked are slim.

I have been called at least 5 times. I was only on one jury, for a kid that broke the window of a car and stole some change that was less than a dollar. The window replacement was the biggest part. After a full day of BS legal back and forth, we were told to go home, not discuss the case with anyone, and to be back at 8:00 AM or the sheriff deputy will come get us to face the judge. It was the first time in my life I was under legal obligation to be somewhere at a specific time. I had no issue with it, and I was there.

After another half day of legal BS the judge send the jury to the hall for 30 minutes, called us back in as said it was a mistrial, and we were released from jury duty.

I never found out what happened, I assume somethings was said that was not supposed to be said.

[E Sully]

I've been called 4 times, only had to appear once. They had us sit for a couple of hours and then told us the 2 parties reached a settlement and sent us home.
My wife was called to Federal court in Manhattan. They let her off as her mother was about to pass. A few years later when she might get called again, we went to the local courthouse and she volunteered to serve to avoid getting called to Federal court again.

[stevej37]

^^^Glenn
Yeah, that's prob the type of case I would get picked for.

I was hoping for something like grand larceny, arson or something serious.

Not anything like murder or attempted murder...I don't want to be a part of the decision on that. But I would do it if called.


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[stevej37]

Originally Posted by E Sully

I've been called 4 times, only had to appear once. They had us sit for a couple of hours and then told us the 2 parties reached a settlement and sent us home.
My wife was called to Federal court in Manhattan. They let her off as her mother was about to pass. A few years later when she might get called again, we went to the local courthouse and she volunteered to serve to avoid getting called to Federal court again.

I wonder what age they stop summoning at? I'll be 72 in a few months.


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[rfuerst911sc]

I have been called once and picked once . The trial was for child molestation and lasted 4 days if I remember correctly. The trial ended and it was time for the jury to deliberate . The judge called my name and said I can go home . He stated I was an " extra " in case any other juror had any issues . I never did find out the results

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^Glenn
Yeah, that's prob the type of case I would get picked for.

I was hoping for something like grand larceny, arson or something serious.

Not anything like murder or attempted murder...I don't want to be a part of the decision on that. But I would do it if called.


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I was in the jury pool for a murder case when a police officer was killed by an Indian women. I really did NOT want to be on that one. I was not called for that trial and after sitting in the jury pool room until 1:00 PM they sent us home.

[Rapewta]

I get a notice once a year but only sat through one trial. I suggest everyone at least experience one trial. After that one, I would try to excuse yourself. The whole process is interesting but once is enough.
Guilty verdict. An off duty law enforcement officer, drinking at a bar really beat the crap out of a guy unprovoked.

[techweenie]

Got a notice this year, but never needed to appear.

5 years ago, I served on a jury for domestic assault. Tough case as both were drunk & it was an unwitnessed 'he said; she said' situation.

it is a civic duty and I've never tried to get out of it. Agree with Rapewta that it is something you should experience. But more than once, if called.

[JackDidley]

I think it would be interesting. Got called 2 times. First time the jury was picked before they got to me. Second time the trial was cancelled. I went to small claims court one time and that was interesting. Mostly people that had not paid rent or medical bills.

[rwest]

Only have been contacted once, even though I’m 56, lived in the same house for 28 years and have been registered to vote since I was 18.

I got the letter during the height of COVID and by the time in person court was announced, it had been so long they didn’t need any of the people who were contacted early in the pandemic.

I would participate as needed.

[stevej37]

I'm actually hoping that I get chosen to be possibly picked. This time of the year, I can do it easily. I'm told to call the night before going.

The courthouse is only 7 miles from home.

[Dantilla]

I served once.
Sent to deliberations, and I was quickly voted jury foreman.
Pretty soon, everyone agreed with me.

Then came the fun part- I thought the attorneys on both sides did a pretty poor job.
The defense lawyer (he lost) asked if any jury members would stay and answer a few questions. Gladly!

Everyone in the courtroom left, but the two attorneys, and me.
I spent the next 45 minutes raking both of them over the coals, and... they loved it!
Basically, "you sucked, and here's why," and the response: "I haven't had feedback like this since law school! Thanks!"
I hammered pretty hard, with specifics. Both were scribbling notes, absorbing everything.
That was definitely the fun part.

[porsche tech]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I wonder what age they stop summoning at? I'll be 72 in a few months.


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In SC it’s over 65 and you can be excused.

[tdw28210]

Called 2 years ago. Read up on how NOT to get picked. LSS, basically show up looking like you are a self-taught wannabe lawyer. And find a way to mention the term "jury nullification" when you are questioned. I showed wearing a "Stetson Law" t-shirt courtesy of my niece. Never got out of the bull pen due to some slow down in the system that day. Mission accomplished. LOL

[stevej37]

^^^ If I get to the point of 'voir dire', I could never get away with that. If there are 50 people in the courtroom...25 of them will know me. Small town...everyone knows everyone.

[SpyderMike]

I had the good fortune of being selected for county grand jury. Fascinating experience...we were involved in about 120 cases over a few months.

[Crowbob]

I've been called up once. Served once. Murder trial. Much blood and alcohol involved. I tried 3 strategies to be excluded. None worked. 1) I had heresay knowledge of the crime 2) I cannot be impartial to an accused murderer 3) I have a severe hearing impairment which would make oral testimony difficult to comprehend.

Rationale for staying on: 1) I had no personal relationship whatsoever with the victim nor the accused 2) I had a bias in favor of the innocence of the accused 3) You sit in seat #1, which is less than 4 feet from the witness stand.

Fascinating. Over a 6-day trial we learned all about blood splatter, the trajectory of a single, very deep butcher knife stab wound to the chest, between two ribs, ending in a direct through and through penetration of the heart. Expert forensic medical examiner on each side in direct contradiction with each other. Deliberations went for a day and a half, so about 12 hours total. For 11 1/2 of those hours it was 11-1. Yep, I was the holdout. Verdict had to be unanimous. I eventually gave in: Not guilty.

The pressure in that jury room was nothing like I had ever experienced.

[MBAtarga]

I was picked twice. First case was a vehicle crash involving an injury resulting in chiropractic bills. We found for the defendant - the claimant was representing himself and didn't do himself any favors.
The second case was a divorce - a cop/prison guard and his waitress wife. Long story short with all sorts of twists including a girlfriend nurse that worked at the jail, a new motorcycle to show her off - while the ex drove a chevy van with 200k+ miles on it, drugs from the jail found in their home, etc. The woman got the house and the property, he got nothing but fired from his job.

[Bill Douglas]

I've done it four or five times now. Which is the maximum so I won't get called up again. I really like it.