i have been selected as a juror, i'm preparing for withdrawl

[Sean H]

I just had jury duty this past fall and I was selected to a jury. It was actually a pretty interesting experience. It was a civil case. Car accident, three parties involved and we had to decide who was at fault, or who was partially at fault and find a monetary amount for the plaintiff for emotional and physical distress. One defendant was a 20 year old kid who was driving a sports car and the the other was a 40 year old woman in an SUV. What it boiled down to was the two defense attorney's battling it out and it got kind of nasty at times. Lots of objections, pissed attorney's and the judge calling the attorney's the bench several times. We had to leave the courtroom a few times after objections and disregard striken information from the record. At first it looked like it was obvious the young kid with the sports car HAD TO be the guilty one but in the end the facts pointed toward the woman as being at fault. We decided a 85/15 scenario, the woman being the most at fault based on the facts. We deliberted for like 3 hours! When it came to awarding the Plaintiff money I couldn't believe the sentiment of the other jurors, they didn't want to give the Plaintiff a damn thing!!! They were all disgruntled about the amount people sue for these days and took it out on this Plantiff. It was rediculous. I finally had to give in and compromise. Very interesting experience.

 

[Tuberoller]

I actually wanted to serve on a jury but I was only summoned once. I was pretty much excluded forever after they asked the question "Have you ever killed anyone?" I guess if you have they never ask you again. There was another Vet there that was asked the same question and was excluded as well. Perhaps if you wanna get out of jury duty and they ask,you know what to say.

 

[Jasper994]

Quote:

Originally posted by Edwood Just don't try to sound like you are overly racist and biased against everything. I had a friend summoned for jury duty that saw someone try to get out of it, by saying he was prejudiced against everything. The judge told him to sit down and shut up. I think he ended getting assigned to a murder trial or something. Doh! -Ed

LOL my Grandmother got out of jury duty by telling them that because of her faith and beliefs in forgiveness, she couldn't bring a conviction. They did let her off...

 

[john_jcb]

I have been called several times both in Illinois and California. With one exception I was looking forward to serving on a jury. I am not sure what I said or did but I was excluded each time. Every time I hear people talking about finding ways to get off of jury duty I wonder how they would feel if they were falsely accused or were being sued.

 

[Xanadu777]

I was called and was a bit reluctant but after going, definitely felt a bit of pride for having participated. I was on a rape jury but was the first let go after the interviews. It was a circumstancial case according to the state. I don't think they liked my answer of innocent until proven guilty. How sad that seemed at the time but I guess that's all part of the court room/jury game.

 

[Music Fanatic]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sovkiller Just say you are deaf......and period......

Oh yes, I can imagine it now:

Q. You understand that you are under oath, sir?

A. Yes I do.

Q. Is there any reason you can't serve on the jury?

A. Well, counselor, I am stone deaf and can't hear a single word.

 

[BlindTiger]

I get called every 4 yrs like clockwork. Registered voter since I turned 18.
Mostly civil cases. Most interesting one was for breach of contract in a partnership agreement. (big soft drink company back then)
much more interesting than the usual slip and fall cases.
lan, you do get internet access now at $10 a day, I believe or just go to city hall park and get free wi fi.
Use to be an insurance examiner, saw lots of auto injury files.

 

[jefemeister]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tuberoller I actually wanted to serve on a jury but I was only summoned once. I was pretty much excluded forever after they asked the question "Have you ever killed anyone?" I guess if you have they never ask you again. There was another Vet there that was asked the same question and was excluded as well. Perhaps if you wanna get out of jury duty and they ask,you know what to say.

Yeah, but that will only work if you're a Vet. Otherwise, off to jail you go.

 

[Music Fanatic]

Quote:

Originally posted by jefemeister Yeah, but that will only work if you're a Vet. Otherwise, off to jail you go.

Or you could just say "Not yet."

 

[BlindTiger]

lan, don't know if you're through with jury duty. ( they got it down to 3-4 days now.
but, if you want to have lunch, you know I'm nearby. Don't have anything new for you to audition though except for speakers.

 

[warubozu]

I too usually get summoned to serve jury duty every year, never had to actually serve because I was always in the jury group that ended up not being needed. The sad part is my friend's mother who works for jury pool and is responsible for randomly selecting names to serve from the state's computer system, I had asked her if she could take my name out of the system she flat out said NO!
The last time I almost got selected to serve was for a murder case in which the defendent was being charged with five counts of first degree murder, he was a ice (meth) dealer. When the judge asked why I wanted to be excused I explained to him that the person being charged was a childhood friend of mines who I haven't seen in nearly 15 years but I do know who he is and his family. I was immediately dismissed

 

[Tuberoller]

I think it is very important for all Americans to serve as a juror at least once. This is Civic duty and I certainly would hate to have my fate in the hands of 12 people who did'nt want to be there. How fair is that? The facts are that most of the folks who are chosen to serve on juries are usually picked to serve many times and the jury rulings we see are skewed because if it. Don't complain about the courts or judical system if you don't wish to serve jury duty. Had I been chosen to serve Jury duty I would have done so proudly and with the conviction of my values.

 

[Edwood]

So much for random selection, I guess.

This thread reminds me of that old phrase: "I'd rather be judged by twelve, rather than carried by nine."

Life is not fair. Nor is it fair, that not all employers are understanding of time taken off for jury duty. Well, unless the boss is summoned. My boss was. Heheh.

-Ed

 

[lan]

Maybe I worded my message/topic wrong. I mean preparing for withdrawl symptoms from head-fi not the jury duty itself. I am not opposed to doing this civic duty.

Hmm, I should go to bed early tonight so I can be awake tomorrow.

 

[Music Fanatic]

OK. One last piece of advice. You can print out this thread and give it to the judge to let him know what sort of useful advice you've received.