They're onto me

[stgulik]

So, I got called for Jury Duty, as one occasionally does in this great nation. The week is in early April.

The court gives us the means to postpone if someone already has a planned vacation on that week (which I do--I'm going to Pasadena to see my daughter and her shiny new office job). But in the past, it used to be a casual thing: You could call

Comments

[squibstress]

I've served on three juries. I obviously still haven't figured out how to get out of it.

My eldest was called last week but they didn't need him. As my husband said, "The American judicial system has just dodged a major bullet."

[teddyradiator]

Oh, the nerve of that dashboard! I've been called for jury duty twice, but I always managed to sweet talk my way out of it.

[stgulik]

Right? So easy back in the day. Now it's the era of the robot overlord. ;)

[laralee88]

I had to serve on a federal jury trial a few years ago for cartel related felonies. It was a tense four days with escorts to the parking garage every afternoon once we were recessed for the day. I’d be okay with never doing it again after that.

[stgulik]

My gosh, that sounds intense!

[mimimanderly]

Paul and I BOTH got jury duty invitations; his for late in April, mine for "sometime in May or June." Different courts. I think that because of the pandemic, and no jury trials being held then, the courts have become constipated with cases. Apparently, they have taken a laxative.

I've done jury duty a couple times. It's really boring, so bring a book. You probably won't be allowed to bring devices, so a PHYSICAL book. 95% of all cases go tits-up once the defendant sees the jury and decides to a plea bargain. Only ONCE did I have to sit through the trial, but as an alternate - so once they were ready to deliberate, I could go home. Each lawyer gets to vote a potential juror or several off the island. This would usually happen to me. Sometimes it was the lawyer for one side, sometimes for the other. Most of these seem to be drug cases, and I was in my "goth" phase back then, so they probably thought I wouldn't be sympathetic. They'd be right.

[stgulik]

I served on one jury, a solicitation charge. We the jury found the john guilty of going with an undercover policewoman to a motel room, but not *giving* her money because she forgot to accept it. I think he served a month or two. Such a waste of time all around.

[mimimanderly]

Y'know... WHY are these things even "criminal?" It's the Puritan "morality." Or else, it's because they can't figure out a way to collect taxes on these victimless "crimes." I'm thinking that it's the latter, while they are spouting off about its "morality." Why, yes... I AM a cynic.

[beffeysue]

I've only been called for jury duty twice- first time was a trial in federal court and I was working full time and taking classes to finish my degree. The judge told us he thought the trial could run three to four weeks and the jury would be sequestered. He asked if anyone had a problem with this and I raised my hand. After I explained that I was enrolled at the university and was taking calculus and organic chemistry and being sequestered would mean I would miss my classes. He said how would that be a problem, I pointed out it was past the "drop date," I could not get my tuition refunded and it was a tidy sum, and that by not attending classes and labs I would fail my exams. Ultimately I was excused, but it would have been a doozy of a trial to hear all of the evidence. Nuthin' like crooked politicians to liven up the room 😁 The second was traffic court and small claims court. Everyone settled so we were not there all day.