Got Selected For Three Months of Jury Duty

[Durandal]

Yep, that's right folks, yours truly has been selected for Jury Duty. I tried for Grand Jury Duty which happens every Friday of each week, where yoiu decide whether or not there is enough evidence to go to court of the case/suit gets dropped.

But alas, no one told me that you could opt for it before hand. I thought that might have been a lot more interesting than sitting for 2 to 4 days on a single case...

Anyway...to my point.

I am self employed and I was weighing my options for a bit for I attended today's swearing in and introduction. Everyday I am in court means I am losing A LOT of wages. The State does not compensate you for lost wages...nor could they even if they wanted to. They can barely afford the 12.50 a day they give out now.

This guy was sitting next to me bitching about how he was losing money and suddenly I felt ashamed.

Because it ain't about the money.

Its about participating int he Constitutional process of your State and Nation. It is gauranteeing that a higher governmental power does NOT have the ability to simply haul your ass off to jail or trial without probable cause as determined by the members of your community. If I ever need a jury for some reason or another (and I hope I never do) I want it to be as fair and impartial...and crosscut representation of community...as possible.

So now, I am not worried about my lost wages. Yeah, it'll be a bit rough if I get called for a 14 day nightmare trial, but the chances of that happenign are slim. The loss in wages is a SMALL price to pay for the freedom it insures.

[farmgirl]

You're so lucky!!! All I got drawn to do is go to LA and play for an incredible amount of money. p-) Yours is the gift that keeps on giving! ;)

[Durandal]

:D

[Secret Squirrel]

just yell out from time to time "the government!" and "mash potato!" woot

[Gringo]

"No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!"

[Durandal]

just yell out from time to time "the government!" and "mash potato!" woot

Geeesh...

Yelling it out would lack so much style.

You mutter under your breath during those quiet moments when the prosecution is getting their notes together.

Throw in a nervous tick and...fanastico!

A work of art...

:D

In all seriousness though. I think that gets you put in jail or something...maybe a second or third degree misdemeanor?

[Deuterium]

Good luck and I applaud your civic pride. I'm still active and exempt but I retire in a year. I hope I have your attitude when it happens to me. Just curious though. Is there and exemption for students(college)?

BTW just look at the guys eyes. Easy way to tell if he/she is guilty or not.

[Fintin]

just yell out from time to time "the government!" and "mash potato!" woot

Geeesh...

Yelling it out would lack so much style.

You mutter under your breath during those quiet moments when the prosecution is getting their notes together.

Throw in a nervous tick and...fanastico!

A work of art...

:D

In all seriousness though. I think that gets you put in jail or something...maybe a second or third degree misdemeanor?


dont forget to **** your pants too...and act like nothing happened....im a pro at that...excuase me while i go change

[Midav]

I get exempt whenever I'm picked for jury duty. I work at the local detention facility out here and have watched, at one time or another, every person that goes through the court rooms.

Funny how the majority of times, said inmates that stand in court, nervous, sometimes crying, are the same people kick the door, because they want their commissary list, or want a phone call, or call you a stupid m-f'ing piece of **** or... lol

[Trigger]

Good luck Durandal! You've got a great attitude about it.

I felt the same way until I got summoned for jury duty 4 times in 2 years. :(

[Durandal]

Good luck and I applaud your civic pride. I'm still active and exempt but I retire in a year. I hope I have your attitude when it happens to me. Just curious though. Is there and exemption for students(college)?

Exemptions are as follows:

Sick and the Elderly.

Must be citizen of the United States. :D (Duh...but the judge said records can be screwed up sometimes...)

No longer a resident of THAT county.

A Felon. :D (Again du...but...thigns get screwed up or slowly updated)

In the middle of a trial or criminal proceedings that involve a felony.

And I believe that is it.

Students and Teachers CAN get exemptions. I could have gotten an exemption for having to pay child support, but I decided not to.

You can also also a trial by trial exemption depending for conflicts of interest like you know the judge, one of the attorneys, the person being tried or any of the witnesses.

They are also flexible and work around scheduled vacation periods. So if you are gone for a week or two, that is ok, but you HAVE to let them know prior to you leaving.

There were about 300 people in the jury pool, of which 10 percent are taken away for Grand Jury duty. The rest are broken into two groups based on names. Groups A and B...

You call in the night before the trial dates and they announce which group needs to be present to select jurors from. So out of 100 or so people, 12 end up getting slected for the jury and I believe 7 for Civil Suits...I do not have my Court data packet in front of me right now. Everybody goes home or work or whatever after they know they have not been selected.

Some folks NEVER get selected for the actual jury while others serve seven and eight times.

[Durandal]

Good luck Durandal! You've got a great attitude about it.

I felt the same way until I got summoned for jury duty 4 times in 2 years. :(

Ahhh...in the State of Kentucky you only be selected for a single three month period every two years.

[farmgirl]

Good luck Durandal! You've got a great attitude about it.

I felt the same way until I got summoned for jury duty 4 times in 2 years. :(

Ahhh...in the State of Kentucky you only be selected for a single three month period every two years.


I've never been selected for jury duty. I guess I'm just unlucky. I'll serve if I ever get selected. It's my duty.... much like Durandal... I believe in the system.


Hey Deut... you should give the cops that tip... it'll save a lot of time... just look 'em in the eyes... then let 'em go if they aren't guilty. ;)

[Trigger]

What if they have a glass eye?

[ArmedPacifist]

Seriously man, if your self-employed just leave democracy to someone who's not.

[Durandal]

Seriously man, if your self-employed just leave democracy to someone who's not.

*snort*

I wonder what would have happened if all the people that had to work in the fields, taverns, and smith shops did not turn out on the Lexington green in the wee hours of the morning.

Responsibility man. You either have it or you do not. I can weather a few days or even a week or two of no income. That is why I have savings.

[Laconian]

Durandal,
Thank you for your positive attitude. I wish all prospective jurors felt the same. I've done Grand Jury testimony (both state & Federal) and have had folks reading the paper or sleeping or knitting while I was testifying. Most paid attention, but not all. Hopefully you will get a case you can sink your interest into. If you don't you still did your duty, no one can ask more of you.

Good luck.

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

Just curious though. Is there and exemption for students(college)?
*Deuterium checks out local college propectus for life study painting classes*
If any of you guys have not seen Runaway Jury with Gene Hackman watch it, there is a few ideas in that film for making money as a juror. :)

[WolverineBlue]

My mom got called for jury duty in the Eastern District of Virginia (Federal court that is in Alexandria, Virginia). I have a sneaking suspicion she might be on the Moussaoui trial for some reason. Known as the "rocket docket", the Eastern District of VA is where a lot of high-profile fed cases take place, like terrorism, huge drug busts, etc.

Should be interesting.

[Midtown]

I would totally go to jury duty stoned.

[Flagg]

Good on ya Durandal......

Remember, Guilty until proven Innocent ;)

[Durandal]

Good on ya Durandal......

Remember, Guilty until proven Innocent ;)

That's England dude...


:)

[Seoulstriker]

Damn, I would hope that I would have the same attitude as you. :(

I'm just thinking that there is absolutely no way I would be able to go on jury duty in the near future. I'm officially a student until age 32. :|

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

Good on ya Durandal......

Remember, Guilty until proven Innocent ;)

That's England dude...


:)
And in Scotland the result can be either Guilty, Not Guilty or Not Proven.

[molly747]

Good luck and I applaud your civic pride. I'm still active and exempt but I retire in a year. I hope I have your attitude when it happens to me. Just curious though. Is there and exemption for students(college)?

BTW just look at the guys eyes. Easy way to tell if he/she is guilty or not.

I think it depends on the local court system, I'm not sure. When I was in school, someone was tried for murder and a few students got called for duty. I think one or two were on the jury. Missed a week of school. It would definitely be a unique experience, although my father tells me that it's not nearly as glamorous or exciting as the 'Law & Order.' :lol:

[WolverineBlue]

I would totally go to jury duty stoned.

When I was a wee lad in college, I would get paid $15 to take part in the grad school psychology experiments...high as a kite, of course.

[Midtown]

hahaha that 15 bucks went right back to fast food I trust.

[WolverineBlue]

No -- actually it went to a great night at Rick's Cafe in Ann Arbor -- two dollar cover and two dollar pitchers on Wednesday nights...God I was a pig.

[ArmedPacifist]

Seriously man, if your self-employed just leave democracy to someone who's not.

*snort*

I wonder what would have happened if all the people that had to work in the fields, taverns, and smith shops did not turn out on the Lexington green in the wee hours of the morning.



What the **** are you snorting, cocaine?

[Trigger]

wow.
Almost 2 whole pages without someone being a prick.
:roll:

[Hullebullen]

In the words of Homer Simpson:

Getting out of jury duty is easy. The trick is to say you're prejudiced against all races. ;)

[Durandal]

*sigh*

I could not help it. The idea that somehow, because I work for myself I should not uphold the democratic principles of my country was silly.

;)

[ArmedPacifist]

I had no idea getting shafted was part of democracy.

[Durandal]

Well that is one selfish way of looking at it.

The other way is that as a citizen I MUST sacrifice "something" to maintain the freedoms and civil rights I so enjoy.

A patriot does not have to shed his or her own blood to be a patriot or good citizen, but they should make a sacrifice of some sort (volunteer time) OR participate (int he form of voting for instance).

American is both the individual striving to make him or herself better as well as a low level form of socialism where the community pulls together to make that same community better. Neighbors helping neighbors si what this country was built on.

And if you cannot understand that...well...sorry to hear that. :|

[ArmedPacifist]

I understand you, I just think your terribly naive. ;)

[Durandal]

I understand you, I just think your terribly naive. ;)

Naive?

How does "my willingness to do what I think is right" vs. "your slack" turn into naive?

Keep in mind that while legally an employer is required to allow a person the tiime off needed to serve on a jurly, they are NOT required by the same laws to pay ther person in question for time missed.

Some companies do because they feel the have an obligation to fill, while others simply do not.

Hey man, lets do away with trial by jury. I mean if we adopt YOUR opinion, no one would be around to serve in the courts.

[ArmedPacifist]

Heh, putting words into my mouth, nice touch. ;)

[Durandal]

Heh, putting words into my mouth, nice touch. ;)

Easy to do when you dance around the subject using words like "naive".

Don't bitch man. What do you do to be a part of American society besides spend money, consume , and work. Everyone does that...that's the easy part.

What do you contribute?

Prove to me that I DID indeed put words into your mouth.

What did you mean?

[Durandal]

...double post.

[ArmedPacifist]

Oh man, you gave me the do your part speech!

Keep posting stuff Dudley. rofl

[mocking_loudly_died]

I personally don't get all excited over any concept of civic duty, I'm in life for myself. I don't care about honor, duty or anything that might dissolve my need for two-minute noodles. I'm proudly selfish, lazy and evil.

I would rather admit that then bow to notions of hypocrisy that the wee ones around here are currently guilty of.

Now lets all forget our troubles by pushing old people down stairs.

[FallenAngel]

Durandal sounds frightenly like one of my political science professors.

Good for you Durandal.

[Durandal]

Oh man, you gave me the do your part speech!

Keep posting stuff Dudley. rofl

rofl

The world would be a FAR better place man. You can laugh it up all you want. The good things in this world are done by people that want to make it a better place.

Whether it be those that release their ideas in a "copy left" environment like Linux, to researchers that share their work with the world rather than tag it as an intellectual property, to professional soldiers and volunteers, local politicians trying to make a difference, volunteers to work with children, the environment, and government institutions.

All of these things benefit our society and free societies as a whole. A neighbor that helps another neighbor makes their small community that much stronger, safer, and valuable.

History has proven this to be true, period. There is NO argument against it.

You are either a selfish prude like mocking...or you are not. At least mocking admits it.

Why can't you?

Edit: Just to avoid some offtopic thread starting, my focus is on civic duties of the people in a democratic society. I do believe a low level form of socialism where people become involved within their community and the world community IS a good thing, but I also strongly believe in Capitalism and the individual.

[ArmedPacifist]

What do you mean why can't I, I already do all of the things on your list, minus the politican one.

[NcDeuce]

Oh man, you gave me the do your part speech!

Keep posting stuff Dudley. rofl

rofl

The world would be a FAR better place man. You can laugh it up all you want. The good things in this world are done by people that want to make it a better place.

Whether it be those that release their ideas in a "copy left" environment like Linux, to researchers that share their work with the world rather than tag it as an intellectual property, to professional soldiers and volunteers, local politicians trying to make a difference, volunteers to work with children, the environment, and government institutions.

All of these things benefit our society and free societies as a whole. A neighbor that helps another neighbor makes their small community that much stronger, safer, and valuable.

History has proven this to be true, period. There is NO argument against it.

You are either a selfish prude like mocking...or you are not. At least mocking admits it.

Why can't you?

Edit: Just to avoid some offtopic thread starting, my focus is on civic duties of the people in a democratic society. I do believe a low level form of socialism where people become involved within their community and the world community IS a good thing, but I also strongly believe in Capitalism and the individual.

^ Word

Constant vigil for the betterment of city, state, and nation.