OT: Jury duty

[Jay2TheRescue]

Well, I had a wonderful day yesterday, (Not really)  I had to show up for jury duty.  I guess they have been getting too many excuses in, because when I got the initial notice 2 months ago I filled out the form and asked to be excused because "The loss of a days wages would be a financial hardship to me & my family."  I guess too many people pulled that one because I was not excused.  So anyway, I had to drive about 60 miles to show up and be crammed into a tiny room with 30 or 40 other people.  Almost 2 hours later the judge showed up and told us that our services were not required for the day and we could leave.  That sucked though.  I got $30, but considering I drove 60 miles to get there, and had another 60 miles to get back it barely covered my fuel costs. 

All this, and I still have 2 more days to serve this month... 

-Jay

[Good Buddy]

BUMMER!
I have yet to be called for jury duty.
I'll be VERY into it. I hope it's not boring.

[Tammy]

my husband has our house payment taken out of his check for direct deposit.  Last year he was called and did nothing but sit for 3 days in the waiting room.  Because he doesn't get paid when he's off and he didn't want to use it as his vacation, I ended up having to transfer money from our savings account to make up the difference.  There's gotta be something wrong when you loose money to do your 'civic duty'. 

[Jay2TheRescue]

BUMMER!
I have yet to be called for jury duty.
I'll be VERY into it. I hope it's not boring.

Well, the last 2 times I've been called I put on the form that I drive an ambulance, and it would be a hardship to my community if I was not there to drive the ambulance.  Worked like a charm.  Now that I don't drive an ambulance anymore I don't feel I could honestly put that on a jury duty form.  I actually used to make fun of the judicial process - your fate is decided by 12 people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty.  Now I feel kinda dumb that I couldn't get out of it.

-Jay

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

I think you're still okay in the smarts department, Jay. Now if they pick you for a big headliner TRIAL, THAT'S when I'd worry.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I think you're still okay in the smarts department, Jay. Now if they pick you for a big headliner TRIAL, THAT'S when I'd worry.

You know, I wouldn't mind being on the jury for a big trial, because usually these juries make decisions that just don't make sense.  Its the little stuff that bothers me.  Anyway, I wouldn't be selected for a high profile case, I'm an educated white guy.  Usually people like me are weeded out in the jury selection process by the lawyers.  The lawyers would have had a hard time with this jury pool anyway.  Everyone there looked like educated professionals. 

-Jay

-Jay

[foutchie]

I think jury duty should be done by government employees (all levels, including all school personnel) because their employer (our tax dollar) gives them full pay when they do jury duty, and they get to keep the lunch money and parking money too!

[foutchie]

BTW, my sis once got out of jury duty by writing that she was new in the area and had two kids under school age that would have to come with her.   Needless to say, she was quickly told to stay home!

[Jay2TheRescue]

I think jury duty should be done by government employees (all levels, including all school personnel) because their employer (our tax dollar) gives them full pay when they do jury duty, and they get to keep the lunch money and parking money too!

I worked for the federal gov't for 10 years and wasn't asked to serve on a jury once while employed there, however I've been asked 3 times now in the past 5 years since I've quit the gov't.

-jay

[Big Daddy Audio]

Back in 1998 or 1999, I got the best of the lot - serving on a GRAND JURY.  They draft you (this was in NY, now) for 30 days, and you hear stuff everyday, and decide whether to indict or not (an indictment results in a criminal trial).  It was one of the most interesting "30 days" in my life.  I find jury duty absolutely fascinating, and would apply for the job if they introduced professional jurors.

I'm one of the few people (I guess) who actually looks forward to jury duty.

See you next time
bye for now   

[genuineimitation]

i got called for jury duty once, and it involved a sign for an "adult' store. this was in SF.. most of us were either involved in the graphic design business (me included) so we were immediately disqualified, or in the "adult" industry it was difficult for them to find a group of "unbiased" people.

you just never know who is in that room full of people around you...

[ChrisMiss]

It's weird how each state does it differently.  When we lived in Ohio and were a registered voter you could be called for jury duty.  I got to serve once and I was grateful that it was a short trial.  I don't think I missed 3 days of work and thankfully my job fully paid me because the pittance they give you for jury duty is laughable.  It was also extremely BORING.  I thought it would be interesting but it wasn't.  Lawyers just drone on and on, they hammer on the point so long like they think the jury is stupid. 

When we moved to Florida I was surprised that the jury duty selection is from licensed drivers instead of registered voters.  It gives them more people to choose from.  I haven't been called yet to serve.  Being on the road I probably wouldn't get the notice until a month after the date. 

[Jay2TheRescue]

It's weird how each state does it differently.  When we lived in Ohio and were a registered voter you could be called for jury duty.  I got to serve once and I was grateful that it was a short trial.  I don't think I missed 3 days of work and thankfully my job fully paid me because the pittance they give you for jury duty is laughable.  It was also extremely BORING.  I thought it would be interesting but it wasn't.  Lawyers just drone on and on, they hammer on the point so long like they think the jury is stupid. 

When we moved to Florida I was surprised that the jury duty selection is from licensed drivers instead of registered voters.  It gives them more people to choose from.  I haven't been called yet to serve.  Being on the road I probably wouldn't get the notice until a month after the date. 

Virginia does it by registered drivers, not voters as well.

-Jay