Jury Duty- got a summons

**sidewalker** · #1 12-02-2019, 07:39 AM

on saturday for service the last week of the year. Pretty sure I'll not have to go.
We just have to call the night before to see if we need to report. And if we dont get called, it does not matter. I'll be good for a year.

I really dont want to go to jury duty. I might be able to do a civil suit, but no way will I do a criminal case again. Not gonna happen.
Anyone serve on a jury? I did once, but this was prior to hubby's incarceration.
If you did serve, was it a civil or criminal case? How did it go?

**fbopnomore** · #2 12-02-2019, 07:58 AM

The defense lawyer recused me with a peremptory challenge, but she would have had a fully engaged juror if she hadn't.

**sidewalker** · #3 12-02-2019, 08:26 AM

I used to like getting called. lol. We got paid by my workplace and only had to pay back any money we got from the court if we were called. So it was sweet getting out of work for jury duty.

Like I said, got called and picked for a criminal trial. I think it was like a 6 week or so trial. (not everyday going to court tho) We ended up a hung jury. I hated that.
Turns out the person they were trying ended up pleading to the charge we would have found them guilty of anyway. (I think that was like a yr and a half or longer, later)
It was stressful for everyone. I hated not coming to a consensus and having others go thru it all over again.

wholeshabang · #4 12-02-2019, 09:36 AM

I had jury duty in October. I was released after the first day because I am a student.

In 2010 I also had jury duty, and I was selected for a landlord-tenant civil suit. We found in favor of the plaintiff, but we did not make the defendant pay for the exterminator.

4Bobby · #5 12-02-2019, 09:42 AM

I was called and selected but the defense had me knocked off the panel because I was six months pregnant. It was a child abuse case.

wholeshabang · #6 12-02-2019, 05:10 PM

When I had jury duty, I was told that if I argued with the attorney it would be a sure way to avoid getting selected.

rmc50 · #7 12-02-2019, 07:21 PM

I have been called for jury duty a lot of times, and actually been on a jury about 6 times.

All were criminal. Most times both the prosecutor and defense attorneys accepted that jury as seated, no questions. Only once the defense attorney grilled the prospective jurors. I thought I was going to get tossed when I responded to his question that I would take the officer's word over his client's if it was in an area that the officer had training. But he kept me on the panel!

I believe that in every case the judge asked the prospective jurors if there are any reasons why they can't or should not serve. One time I used that opportunity to be excused because I was involved in an important project at work and being replaced would be a detriment to my career. The judge accepted that reason.

I suspect that if you told the judge that your experiences has left you in a state where you don't feel that you could be objective that he would excuse you.

R. Mc.

**Patrickj** · #8 12-02-2019, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidewalker

I used to like getting called. lol. We got paid by my workplace and only had to pay back any money we got from the court if we were called. So it was sweet getting out of work for jury duty.

Like I said, got called and picked for a criminal trial. I think it was like a 6 week or so trial. (not everyday going to court tho) We ended up a hung jury. I hated that.
Turns out the person they were trying ended up pleading to the charge we would have found them guilty of anyway. (I think that was like a yr and a half or longer, later)
It was stressful for everyone. I hated not coming to a consensus and having others go thru it all over again.

I don't know about your county. The county I reside in if you are 70 or older you don't even have to show up. Starting the first of next year I get to go back in the jury pool thanks to California allowing ex- felons to sit on juries now. They call me I will get the boot fast, three times to prison and many years of doing legal research for a appellate program should exclude me real fast. They sit me on a jury they are looking at a hung jury real fast

e-Tex · #9 12-02-2019, 08:15 PM

I always wondered why I never had a jury of my peers. Then I discovered that convicted felons could not serve on a jury. There is one benefit of membership in the 13½ club.

12 jurors
1 judge and
½ a chance.

**sidewalker** · #10 12-03-2019, 08:51 AM

**I responded to his question that I would take the officer's word over his client's if it was in an area that the officer had training**

The one time I was seated, before anyone got questioned....the judge asked if anyone would not be able to serve to stand.
A bunch of people did and each was asked why (I seem to recall)
A few women married to police officer said, I'd believe a cop over anyone.

I'd be tempted to say, I wouldnt believe a cop over anyone. (which isnt exactly true)

It was weird how from one day to the next I kept going back and forth on what I thought about the charges and if any of them *fit*
Rather emotional experience, even if we had come to a consensus. I still would have felt bad for the defendant.

**fbopnomore** · #11 12-03-2019, 01:52 PM

I was called to jury duty in Seattle, and after postponing it for the maximum 2 years, I had to show up. If someone is on Washington State parole or probation, they can't vote or serve on juries. However being on federal supervision allows for both.

My biggest issue, other than being dismissed by the defense attorney, I expected as much from the prosecutor, was the virtual impossibility for the defendant to receive a fair trial. He was seated at counsel table in handcuffs & chains, dressed in a bright orange jail jumpsuit with "Prisoner" stamped on the back during the entire jury selection process. Since his lawyer never objected, I decided that was the way things are allowed to proceed in Washington courts regardless of how much of a disservice it does to the supposedly "innocent until proven guilty" defendant.

Although federal prosecutors know every trick to prejudice the outcome of trials, that's one I never saw tried. The most common one I did observe often was finding an excuse other than the obvious one, Race, to exclude selected jurors through "challenges".

yourself · #12 12-03-2019, 05:21 PM

I have been called and never have been chosen.

First time was a death penalty case in IL. I laughed about getting the summons with the Clerk of Court because one of the questions they ask is whether you know any of the lawyers or the judge. Why yes, yes I do. I know them all. I also have an opinion about their competency.

Second time, I came home after my accident and found a jury summons. Crap. I had just spent 2 months in the hospital and rehab and my leg was still swaddled in a cast and bandages with a few open wounds. I was also on a heavy amount of narcotics. Sent in a deferment and was deferred for a year.

Next year, they summoned me again. I had had an amputation shortly before and was in and out of the hospital with a massive infection. Asked for and got another deferment.

Finally, a year and a half later, I got another summons. This time I went, no leg, crutches, but not taking anything narcotic, able to sit for a period of time, and capable of serving.

I knew they would not actually keep me, but much to my surprise, I did not even get to the point of personal voir dire - they were just looking for 2 to finish up a jury for a drug trial.

Sigh.

The question, really, is whether you would want somebody like you on a jury if you were facing charges. If yes, no worries. If no, why. Articulate the reason and that is probably why you will not get selected.

Divorce can be interesting. Lots of Pi is interesting. Contracts? Omg, how boring.

**sidewalker** · #13 12-04-2019, 07:10 AM

I wonder if I can use my dog as an excuse? Im being totally serious right now.
He's been seizing and we are trying to get his medication levels' right.

**fbopnomore** · #14 12-04-2019, 07:20 AM

Here's a link to what Sacramento County says are valid reasons for requesting a postponement or excuse from a jury duty summons in California.
https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/jury/excuse.aspx

**sidewalker** · #15 12-04-2019, 09:14 AM

lol, I wonder if the first part about :caring for another 8-5 would count.

Doubtful.
Well as I said, I probably wont get called, and hopefully by then we will have the dog sorted out, healthwise.

**sidewalker** · #16 Yesterday, 10:24 AM

Cool. Just read this article
https://www.sfgate.com/local/article...v-14896585.php

Yeah! I wont be called for jury duty in the city due to not having a real id.
So I can get out of traveling to SF for jury duty.

But not county. Oh well on that.

**fbopnomore** · #17 Yesterday, 10:34 AM

The "real ID" question is one that will have to be resolved, wherever it is required. Federal courts for sure, and wherever States decide to demand it too.

I wonder when, not if, "failure to have a real ID" will become a felony crime?

**sidewalker** · #18 Today, 08:35 AM

I thought about that too. (it becoming a crime)
In actually thinking about it, I might have to *appear* at the entrance to show I tried. Or possibly respond by mail prior to the date to appear and explain the situation.

My son mentioned he will need one as currently he's working for a glass company and does go out on jobs once in a while (he's mostly the one working scheduling, and planning.....all inside stuff) but he said if he goes to any federal bldgs (like the coast guard training station, or the like) that he'd need a real id.