Hi - I'm home! But Ewwww!!!

[ryanforever]

I'm back from holidays. Had a great time. But on going through the mail, I found that I've been called  up for jury service.

I've never done it before. Has anyone else? And if so, then what was it like?

Comments

[teachertam]

I've been called twice. It was actually kinda nice. I dressed in my work clothes (professional), but took a book. We sat in a big room with (mildly) comfortable chairs. The room was kept at a pleasant temperature, and most people sat there reading. Which is what I did. There was also a smaller room for people who wanted absolute silence; this was actually a glass-walled room, so it kinda looked like a giant fish bowl. There was also another room (also glassed-in) that was for games and people who wanted to be pretty loud. Both of those rooms were fairly small; they'd only hold about 10 or so people

[ryanforever]

I think that it's a little different here.

I'm basically on call for 2 weeks. They let me know after 5pm on the day before whether or not I'm required to report the next day. Once called, then I may be selected. If not selected then I think that my day would go as yours. But if I'm selected then I could be required to attend for up to 4 weeks depending on the case.

I don't have 4 weeks to spare. I've just returned from 3 weeks hoidays and have lots to do to catch back up. But it seems that I have no option.

But thanks for the feed back. I hope that I'm worrying over nothing and that it will go as well as yours did.

[loracj]

I was called for regular jury duty. Lots of people sit in a room, then some of you are herded to a courtroom as possible jurors. You may or may not be called. If you're not, they send you back to the main room to be called again. That has happened to me 3 times already - spent the day and wasn't selected. I've never been chosen to serve on a case, so I can't relate to what happens after that.
I DID serve on a Grand Jury - and that was very interesting. You get to hear testimony, but all you do is decide whether there's enough evidence to go to trial.
I'll be interested to hear what they do over there...I know that here people try lots of things to avoid it, but I'm not sure why, except that if you're chosen to serve, and it's a big case, you could be there for a while.

[ryanforever]

I know what you mean about people trying to avoid it. That happens here too. But I sort of figure that it's my civic duty. I was called up once before, some years ago, but I was breast feeding at the time and so opted out. This time I figure that I should go through with it.

I have to make myself available for 2 weeks during which time I could be called up and then possibly selected. If I'm selected than the paper work advises that I may be required for up to 4 weeks depending on the case. That freaks me a bit. I don't have 4 weeks to spare. Who does?

After having just returned from 3 weeks hols I'm already behind enough. Add another (at worst) 6 weeks and I'll be drowning at work.

Still, I don't have much choice.

I'll let you know how I fare.

[loracj]

Hi Julie

I was called for jury duty once but at the time because of my job I was excused. Ever since then I have been hoping they would call me again. The people I know who have been said you sit around all day waiting for your name to be called out. Even once you are called it doesn't mean you sit in on a trial. They can excuse you for various reasons.

A huge responsibilty if you do manage to get through and sit in on a case.

I suggest you bring a good book or your writing pad!

Lee

[chazper]

I was called for jury duty about two years ago. It was . . . interesting: boring, educational, frustrating and fun in about equal measures. In fact, I did something I rarely do with RL events; I posted about it--but damned if I can find the entries. Anyway, let us know all about your experience.

[ryanforever]

Thanks chaz I will.

If you find your posts about it then let me know. I'd be interested to read about your experience eventhough I'll have my own in the next couple of weeks.