Have you dodged jury duty

[dan88911]

In today's paper.

20% in the states largest counties fail to respond.

About one-fifth of Californians in the state's most populous counties fail to respond to a summons for jury service, a no-show figure that affects the composition and quality of juries, according to a study released Tuesday.

In my county they are trying to increase juror participation by contacting no-shows with a reminder to appear, then another summons with a new date, then a court notice of potential fines, which range from $250 for the first non-appearance to $1,500 for the third.

And here I thought they issued a bench warrant and/or send the Sheriff out to get you. Or maybe put it in the data base so the next time you get pulled over for a ticket it shows up as outstanding warrant.

[SoCal911T]

Back in the day when I was self employed, I dodged a few times. With a job where the employer pays for jury service, I always report. I've only been picked for a jury once but I enjoyed the experience.

[legion]

Never. I get paid jury leave. I don't like the idea of those too dumb to come up with excuses being in control of the justice system. I've never been called.

[Nostril Cheese]

Anything to make money in CA. So glad I left.

[BeyGon]

I got to go once in Newport Beach, I even got selected, was in the jury box, the prosecutor asked me if I had ever fought a ticket, if I had ever gone to court, I said yes, he said did you win or lose, I said I won a couple and lost a couple. He said, DISMISSED.

[Mike80911]

I am not sure how it is done in other states but here in NY they send a letter in the mail to tell you to report or call. How can they prove you ever received the letter? It is not certified it is simply first class mail. Maybe they should start sending the letters return receipt and then they can start going after those who do not show up.
With all of the people out of work in this country maybe we should switch to professional juries and hire people to act as jurors.

[Bugsinrugs]

I am self employed. I can't afford to lose a days work while the attorneys get their 500 dollars an hour. I claim financial hardship. It works.

[URY914]

I always go. But the angry old white guy never gets picked.

[craigster59]

"Show me the guilty party!".

[biosurfer1]

Never dodged but forgot to call when I was in college and got a postcard a couple weeks later asking why I didn't show up. Being in college and not being able to remember a damn thing, I forgot to send the postcard back.

Couple weeks later I get a large envelope in the mail saying a bench warrant has been issued for my arrest. I called and they said if I come in, it will be revoked...needless to say, I asked when I could come in and they said Christmas break. I show up and commence the sitting and after about 20 minutes, they call my name and about 3 others so I walk up to the counter and show them my id and the lady says "Thanks, you're free to go" None of the other names called showed up. I assume the bench warrant for them was no longer revokable.

[aap1966]

My wife's been called up a few times.

In Australia you can opt out for: personal or financial hardship, caring for children, significant illness, being over 70 years, or (and this is wonderfully sexist) "as a woman". (The implied implication being guilty verdicts may be influenced by issues other than the facts presented).

My wife used the "as a woman" option, and avoided it.

[masraum]

I've been called several times in the past 20 years. I go every time. As a matter of fact, I moved to a new county last Aug and got a summons in the mail the other day for about a month out. I'll go. I've never had to sit. If I get as far as being a semi-finalist, I get released.

[wdfifteen]

I believe our rights as Americans come with responsibilities, and voting and jury duty are two of our responsibilities.
We pay our employee's regular salary while they vote or go to jury duty. I was called twice when self employed and went both times. One trial took a week, one was three days so it wasn't much of a hardship. It was an interesting experience both times.

[GH85Carrera]

Been call for one county one state and one federal jury duty. Only the county jury got to trial.

[campbellcj]

The one time I got the certified mail summons with threat of warrant, I went in but was dismissed after 10 minutes of waiting. In my area there is no more hardship process but the jury-eligible population outnumbers the need by such a margin that I only know a few people who have ever been selected to serve. I think I'd find it interesting to serve, depending on the case of course, but it would royally fuch-up my business if I were away for more than a couple weeks.

[Rick Lee]

Gawd no. The one time I got called, it was a federal RICO case and the judge just had a hard-on for no-shows. He bragged about sending Marshals out to haul them in. He bragged about helping to write the law that no one in VA was exempt from jury duty, though he conceded the governor had a good excuse, since he could be appealed to for clemency. Geezus, he was a hard-ass. I told him I was well familiar with the case, working in the media at the time. No matter. I was the last one to be kicked off by the defense.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by campbellcj

The one time I got the certified mail summons with threat of warrant, I went in but was dismissed after 10 minutes of waiting. In my area there is no more hardship process but the jury-eligible population outnumbers the need by such a margin that I only know a few people who have ever been selected to serve. I think I'd find it interesting to serve, depending on the case of course, but it would royally fuch-up my business if I were away for more than a couple weeks.

What timing on this thread. I got my just summons Friday!

Chris, are you in the Ventura Co or LA Co section of Agoura Hills? I get a frickin jury summons every damned year here in Ventura Co. Most times I'm dismissed when I make the call in, but the last time I went all the way to the jury interview. Two wasted days! I told the judge I was self employed, with a deal in due diligence, and the time way would kill my income for the whole year. He reluctantly let me go, but here I am 9 months later.

[mikester]

I don't buy the 'financial hardship' stuff. I work in sales myself and outside of a long court case I can spare a few days to do my civic duty.

I've only had to go in once, to downtown LA which was not very fun. I think it was a few days but don't remember how many. I'm probably due for a summons.

[flyenby]

I feel no responsibility to participate in this joke they call justice.....

[Craig T]

Honestly, I don't know what the deal is with Ventura Co. I've lived here seven years and been summoned five times! I lived in The OC 10 years and was called once.