How To Avoid Getting on a Jury

[ikarcuaso]

Seems like I get a summons every two years, while others in my county never get called. I need to report again in a few weeks.

I've served on two juries. I'd do it again, but not now. Too busy. So what convincing tactics do some here employ to make themselves really "unattractive" as a juror to either side?

edit: not federal - Superior Court

[legion]

If this is federal, you are SOL. Federal judges don't buy many excuses and will punish those who try with extended cases.

If this is local, look up the term "jury nullification". Talk about it as much as possible during the interview. Lawyers and judges hate being overruled by a jury.

[Les Paul]

When I was being questioned I looked at the perp and told them that guy looks like a perv and guilty as hell. I was outta there in a heartbeat. And he was guilty and a perv.

[teenerted1]

you can have it postponed to a more convenient time. the last time i was able to get a written excuse mailed in from work and they havent bothered me since.

[ikarcuaso]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

you can have it postponed to a more convenient time. the last time i was able to get a written excuse mailed in from work and they havent bothered me since.

Thanks. I request the one-time postponement each time I get summoned. I always get assigned a new date.

[Zeke]

Search the subject "fully informed jury." This was discussed here a few years ago. Find that too. It worked for me and so far I haven't been called back, but my wife has. I wonder if what I said put me on a "list." Anyway, I nailed the subject while being interviewed. The judge called the prosecutor and the defense to the stand and after less than 30 seconds I was gone. The P and D didn't even get a chance to vote on me.

I really read a lot about the subject and I do believe no court wants anyone around that talks about being a fully informed juror. Goes all the way back to England when we were colonies.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Les Paul

When I was being questioned I looked at the perp and told them that guy looks like a perv and guilty as hell. I was outta there in a heartbeat. And he was guilty and a perv.

I saw people in the court room trying all kinds of things. When one guy answered that he probably couldn't be non partial in a murder case involving an AfricanAm, the judge said fine, we have a business trial interviewing in the next court. Report there....NOW!

Be careful what you say, they have really good ways of turning it all around in their favor and not yours.

[widgeon13]

Just tell them you think the guy is guilty, that will work!

[john walker's workshop]

be canadian.

[ikarcuaso]

Originally Posted by milt

Search the subject "fully informed jury."

http://www.fija.org/

Excellent, thx

[pitargue]

Wear a T shirt that says:

"Rehabilitation through reincarnation"

usually does the trick. :-)

[old man neri]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

be canadian.

?????

[Noah930]

Got a summons, myself, for September. I'm all for serving on a jury as a public responsibility. But it sure is an incovenience. What am I supposed to tell my patients: "Well, I might be around to do your surgery on Thursday, or I might not. I'll let you know Thursday morning when you show up."

[Les Paul]

saw people in the court room trying all kinds of things. When one guy answered that he probably couldn't be non partial in a murder case involving an AfricanAm, the judge said fine, we have a business trial interviewing in the next court. Report there....NOW!

Be careful what you say, they have really good ways of turning it all around in their favor and not yours.
__________________
My dad and brother are lawyers. They said tell the truth when they ask you. I did. That was about 10 years ago. I hope I'm on a blacklist still

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Got a summons, myself, for September. I'm all for serving on a jury as a public responsibility. But it sure is an incovenience. What am I supposed to tell my patients: "Well, I might be around to do your surgery on Thursday, or I might not. I'll let you know Thursday morning when you show up."

Exactly. I mean I'm for contributing to society as well, but damn, I have enough trouble paying the bills self employed. Especially in this economy. But they won't listen to the fact that I might have a job going on and completion dates. So, you use what you can.

Oh, I and I know about the postponement. Just when is a contractor not hustling a job? Should I set aside a week and call them for an appointment? I think not.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by milt

Exactly. I mean I'm for contributing to society as well, but damn, I have enough trouble paying the bills self employed. Especially in this economy. But they won't listen to the fact that I might have a job going on and completion dates. So, you use what you can.

Oh, I and I know about the postponement. Just when is a contractor not hustling a job? Should I set aside a week and call them for an appointment? I think not.

When I worked for my dad I always wrote "self employed" in the area they give you to explain why you can't serve and mailed it back... it seemed to work at the time.

I think they had a finacial hardship check box too?

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

When I worked for my dad I always wrote "self employed" in the area they give you to explain why you can't serve and mailed it back... it seemed to work at the time.

I think they had a finacial hardship check box too?

Yep, that used to work about 10 years ago, but not any more. I've tried repeatedly.

I was panelled two years ago in Norwalk Ca on a double murder trial that "could last 3 weeks". Hell that could mean 3 months if there's a snag. I told them I couldn't serve because my business would suffer and I would not be able to give the trial my full attention. There were students with exams, people with plane tickets, people with new jobs, and other semi good excuses that weren't excused while I was there. I was thanked and excused.

Last week I got another jury summons for Compton! Jeez Louise! There are several court houses between my home and the gangbangers. Probably get shot pulling into court parking lot. Odds are 50/50 of seeing murder defendants.

[ZOA NOM]

I made it to voir dire and was asked about my death penalty answer on the questionnaire. I answered on a scale of 1 to 10, that I was about a 6 if the evidence was even slightly questionable, and became a full 10 in the case of a defendant whose crime met the death penalty criteria, and the evidence was overwhelming or irrefutable. The judge asked me what I meant by that. I said, "Well, your honor, we have laws, and a Legislature that writes those laws. If we don't like the death penalty, we should take our case to them. The jury box isn't the place to legislate." He said, "That's the best answer I've ever heard to that question. Unfortunately, the defense has asked me to drop you for cause. Thanks for coming."

And I have not seen a summons since.

The irony is that I'd actually love to serve on a jury, and I think I'd be impartial. I'm a Fed, and would receive my full salary while serving.

[javadog]

I got out of showing up, as I was working out of state running a construction project, which would have had to have been shut down in its entirety had I spent a week in the jury pool, I thought they could do without me and the lady running the show thought so too.

My wife was in a jury pool this week and got picked for a trial on the first day. The trial lasted a day and a half, after which we thought she was done but, no, she just went back to the pool in case they needed another jury. After sitting there for a couple of days they figured they had enough for the week and let her go. She thought the trial was vastly more interesting than sitting in a room with 400 "peers" waiting to be called, so be careful what you ask for.

JR

[Rick Lee]

I had fed. jury duty and nothing but nothing was making this judge let folks out. NOTHING. You could have worn a KKK hood and he wouldn't have cared. Sure, the def. and pros. would have tossed you, but the judge was hearing NO excuses. I told him I worked for a news agency and was familiar with the case. Too bad.