Jury Duty

[scmhogg]

I get called for jury duty almost every year. Out here, you only have to go for one day, if you are not called for a panel. I hate it, because no-one wants another lawyer on their juries. The rule of thumb for jury selection is, don't keep anyone who may be a leader, unless you are sure how they will view your case.

In my 36+ years in practice, I have tried over 100 jury trials. I have only waived jury on a couple of trials. In California, at least half of the judges are former prosecutors.

For example, I have tried five first degree murder cases, to juries. Two were complete acquittals, one was found guilty of manslaughter, and two were found guilty of second degree murder. Now these were cases that the police and the prosecutor were sure that they were first degree murder. Without juries, all would be serving 25 to life.

Steve

[L. D. Jeffries]

One of the joys of being retired. Couple of years ago I spent 3 months on Grand Jury duty. Now thats much more fun than just a trial jury. You get to see and hear all manner of cases, (some funny some sad) plus you get to ask witness's questions. There was coffee, milk, tea and doughnuts EVERY morning! All that and got paid as well.

[Shep]

I was on Jury duty a couple weeks ago. Not to bad in Columbus. You must report for two weeks of service. Most days you don't have to be there till 1pm, and most days you get released early. I was on two trials. The second one for an OVI (Same as DUI). This guy failed every mannor of sobriety test and still some jury members felt there was too much doubt becuase the cop car didn't have a video of the sobriety test. Good grief. After two days of deliberations (yelling at each other) the prosecution and defense plea bargained and the case was settled without a verdict from us.

Good times.

[cgallery]

I participate. As an expert witness, though. The pay is much better.

[Richard in Smithville]

I got a letter once saying I was on the list to get called. They never did call me to go to the couthouse. LOML has been called a few times but always got a doctors note saying she couldn't do it. Once they tried tell her that it didn't matter what her doctor said, she had to go. Then the doctor got wind of what the courts said ( I think the paper work was smoking when the doctor was finished writing) and she has never been called again.

[sparkeyjames]

Here in the county the city of Detroit is located in if you don't show up they track you down like the dog that you are and serve you with a contempt of court order that tells you to show up or else. If you don't show up after that they will fine you heavily and or throw your lazy b*tt in jail. Of course with all the crime around here they need as many jurors as possible.

[jackellis]

I've been called a few times. For the first one, you had to report to the courthouse. Lots of wasted time but I was never even empaneled. On some, called in like a good citizen but never had to report. One time I was on assignment in England.

I'm at the point in my life where I hope I do get to serve, and for the same reason Loring cited: if I ever end up in the dock, I hope the jury is made up of people with common sense and sharp minds. Prosecutors sometimes get a little carried away.

[atgcpaul]

I've been called twice. First time I just sat in the waiting room with
hundreds of other people for hours. Around noon, the ones who weren't
called were dismissed.

The second time I waited for about 5 hours and then was called to jury
selection. For whatever Gosh forsaken reason on this civil case, the
jury was selected, and then the judge and lawyers decided they should call
3 alternate jurors. Which one do you think I was?

So for 10 days, I sat in the jury box, in less comfortable seats off to the side.
One of the alternates actually couldn't stay the whole time. During
deliberation, I couldn't even witness what was going on. I had to sit in the
waiting room again for a few more hours.

Overall I enjoyed the experience. I can only imagine how much money was
spent getting all the evidence and expert witnesses together. In the end, no
money was awarded and both parties shared blame. I didn't have a lot going
on at work at the time, but being an alternate has to be the WORST possible
role to play in the judicial system (except for plaintiff and defendant).

[Hellrazor]

I have been called for jury duty 4 or 5 times. I only went once and was sent home by 10am because the guy took a plea right as selection was supposed to start.

I average 2 or 3 of my 25 employees getting jury duty notices a year. Only one has served more than one day in the last 4 years. The odd thing is it seems like the same people always get the summons and others never do.

[LCHIEN]

...
I average 2 or 3 of my 25 employees getting jury duty notices a year. Only one has served more than one day in the last 4 years. The odd thing is it seems like the same people always get the summons and others never do.

Did you ever consider that the same few people always go when summoned and the others just ignore the summonses?

[LCHIEN]

Huh. I never figured you for the type.

I'm not and if I ever end up in court I'm innocent or the other party is at fault. I hope the jury is a sharp bunch that cuts thru what ever BS got me there in the first place and sees it my way.

[jackellis]

I only went once and was sent home by 10am because the guy took a plea right as selection was supposed to start.

Come to think of it, I was excused for the same reason on one occasion when I was called. Many cases are settled (plea bargain, settlement) before trial as both sides realize they have little control over the outcome once the trial starts.

[Tom Slick]

I've been summoned for jury duty once. I had to check the court's website twice a day for a week to see if I needed to show up. I didn't.

I was a witness once when I was in 5th grade. I testified that I saw nothing, luckily the defendant was still found guilty.

[billwmeyer]

Jury Duty

I have been called 3 times. The first time I was not selected. The second time I lived near Wichita, Ks. I was put ina jury pool and I sat reading a book, or I should say books for a week. Once I went to an empty court room, then they sent us back saying the case was settled. That was it, never left the waiting room again for a week. The third time I sat in on a trial between a restaurant and an insurance company. I never thought I would be selected because the insurance agent and I used to run around together some in high school. I was selected anyway, and the trial took about 8 days. It was interesting and I would do it again.

Bill

[Hellrazor]

Did you ever consider that the same few people always go when summoned and the others just ignore the summonses?

I don't think I have anyone who would ignore them. Plus they started to crack down on people who don't show up. You get a phone call and a "limo ride" if needed.