What's wrong with jury duty?

[stebbinsd]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Any, because this opinion is widespread.

First of all, this is the best board I could figure out. If it belongs somewhere else, move it there; I don't care.

Most people want to try and get out of jury duty if they can. Why? I personally think it is sort of like a vacation.

Think about it: You get paid to take a day off work (and your boss CAN'T fire you for it) so you can come watch a real-life playing of Law & Order, and you get to personally see to it that either justice is served, or an innocent man doesn't go to jail; either way, someone (whether it be the defense or the prosecution) will be your new best friend. You can't be sued for any verdict for any reason, even if you just find the defendent to be very sexy, because you have judicial immunity. The worst that can happen is that an appellate court will overturn the verdict or issue a new trial; either way, once you give your verdict, that's the last you're ever going to hear about it, because it'll be six months before you can do it again, and even then, you won't qualify for THAT case anymore, because you've already heard about it.

So, honestly, why do people try and dodge jury duty? It's not like the military draft, where you're putting your life at stake. Why? Why? Why?

 

[las365]

A lot of people don't understand jury duty. They think they'll be sequestered, which is actually rare.

A lot of people don't want the responsibility of making a decision.

A lot of people don't want the disruption of their daily routines.

Oddly enough, when the lawyers I work for do jury selection for trials, we are most wary of people who seem to be eager to be jurors. We suspect their motives.

When I was called for jury duty relatively recently, I was disappointed that it was in community court instead of district court, and I was really disappointed when I was struck! I really wanted to serve so I could see what it is like on that side of the railing. Maybe I seemed too eager. Heh.

 

[justalayman]

You get paid? Is that what they call that $25 check (for a full day. $12.50 for half day)

 

[CdwJava]

Many people summoned for jury duty work hourly jobs that do not pay them if they do not show up at work. Some employers pay you if you are at jury duty, but most will simply not PENALIZE you by firing you.

The $5 per day (or whatever it is today) just does not cut it. If you're going to lose out on a $200 work day for each day at trial, you are NOT going to want to be on a jury. This is why most the people I see on juries tend to be unemployed, retired, salaried, or government workers.

- Carl

 

[>Charlotte<]

Also, it's boring. Typical jury duty is not listening to Jack McCoy piece together a puzzle full of intrigue and irony, deflected by the defense's motion on an obscure but brilliant point of law, ending with profound summations and the daunting task of bringing justice to a tragic victim.

It's mostly spending all day sitting in a crowded room, trying to concentrate on a book, waiting to be called upon to decide if John Smith sped through a school zone.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

My ADD and I wouldn't survive!! I could NOT imagine trying to just sit there and listen. I don't feel that I could do justice to the person.

 

[Country Living]

I was called for jury duty several times when we lived in San Antonio and was selected only once (murder trial). I took my little cooler (Big Red, sandwich, and lots of chocolate) as well as my portable DVD player (with earphones) and a couple of DVDs. And a pillow to sit on in the corner. Those of us not selected for a panel were released late morning or early afternoon.

The murder trial was interesting. We were only able to give him 35 years because two of the women on the panel felt sorry for him because his mama spanked him when he was little.

 

[Country Living]

There is one big downside to being on a jury. The potty breaks don't seem to coincide with the time you really need them!

 

[TheGeekess]

I've been called a couple of times but haven't served yet.

My parents still live in the same county as my first husband (a local lawyer in their community). The last time my mom got called for jury duty, the pool was asked if they had any connections to anyone involved in the case. Mom told them the defendant's attorney was her ex son-in-law. She was excused immediately.

 

[Isis1]

Also, it's boring. Typical jury duty is not listening to Jack McCoy piece together a puzzle full of intrigue and irony, deflected by the defense's motion on an obscure but brilliant point of law, ending with profound summations and the daunting task of bringing justice to a tragic victim.

It's mostly spending all day sitting in a crowded room, trying to concentrate on a book, waiting to be called upon to decide if John Smith sped through a school zone.

tell me about it. i sat in on a few hearings. the DA was horrible. it took everything in me not to jump up and shout "you're asking the wrong questions!!!"

 

[CdwJava]

I have NEVER been on one ... the two times I was called were both for county criminal trials and I was exempt. I checked a box and mailed it back, and that was it.

My wife has been called four times in the last dozen or so years. One time she was pregnant with our third son, was in a bad way and on feeding tubes and IVs and was NOT given an extension (a second) for jury duty. Her mother dropped her off at the courthouse as she carried her whirring backpack and her metal tree with IVs on it ... they promptly dismissed her.

The last time she was in our new town and knew the court clerk. She informed the clerk that she was being considered for a jury trial on one of MY cases, and she was promptly dismissed.

My mother-in-law was never so lucky. She got called to civil cases and to federal court, so even though she was an employee of a police department she kept getting selected to sit on juries!

- Carl

 

[Indiana Filer]

There is one big downside to being on a jury. The potty breaks don't seem to coincide with the time you really need them!

I was on jury duty when I was 8 months pregnant. Before accepting me, since both sides were OK with me to be on the jury, the judge went to his chambers and called his brother to make sure he was OK with me serving. (The judge's brother was my OB. Both sides were OK with him asking my doctor this.)

Every so often during the trial, the judge would announce a short recess, just in case anyone (and he would look straight at me) needs to go to the restroom.

I'll probably never get to be on a jury again, since I'm now a probation officer.