Jury duty: Have you done it?

[mendelman]

So, I recently got called up for jury duty on March 23 for criminal court, and I was wondering if anyone has been on a jury and if you have interesting ancedotes.

BTW, the criminal court here in Chicago is at 26th and California, which from what I understand is not the best neighborhood.

Go where the market is, I guess. ;-) (just a joke; I don't want to ruffle any feathers)

 

[Seabishop]

Never done it but I like BKM's jury duty story.

 

[Cardinal]

Jury duty, no. I have gotten pretty used to receiving court summons' to provide testimony, though. I spent a whole morning on the stand last week and it looks like I'll be doing it again in a couple weeks. That one might turn out to be interesting. I am much more sympathetic to the plaintiff's position than to that of the defendant, who is requiring me to appear.

 

[SGB]

I've never been called for jury duty.

Now I've done it: better watch my mail......

 

[Rumpy Tunanator]

The haven't caught up to me yet. I think moving every other year throws the feds off.

If you don't feel like going through with it, just tell them the defendent should get the chair ;-)

 

[Floridays]

The haven't caught up to me yet. I think moving every other year throws the feds off.

Ditto!! :-D

 

[PlannerGirl]

Ive never been called up but I move all the time.

 

[mendelman]

I'm actually really interested about doing this. Since this will be my first time, I'll see if I like it after it's done.

Isn't this the one of the priveleges and rights of a citizen of a democracy?

 

[Rumpy Tunanator]

Isn't this the one of the priveleges and rights of a citizen of a democracy?

If you like getting paid 5 bucks a day and like having to worry about the convicted criminal hunting you down after getting out of prision to shimmy your dogs head down the toilet, then I guess it could be fun

 

[mendelman]

If you like getting paid 5 bucks a day and like having to worry about the convicted criminal hunting you down after getting out of prision to shimmy your dogs head down the toilet, then I guess it could be fun

Well....if you put that way.......... ;-)

 

[Big Easy King]

I received notice for jury duty a few years ago while in college. My excuse not to serve was exams. I haven't been called for it since then. Damn, I hope I didn't just jinx myself! 8-! :-D

 

[Maister]

Well I got called for jury duty once. My wife is an attorney and because of all the state and county bar functions we have attended I happen to know quite a few of the attorneys in the area. At one such an event a certain lawyer misinterpreted the 'bar association' meaning and I found him yacking in a urinal at the restaurant we were at.....three days later I am undergoing a jury interview. guess who the defense attorney is. Needless to say, he used up his last peremptive challenge (one given without cause) on moi... :-D

 

[ludes98]

I just did it for the first time last month. It is pretty tame. Nothing like sitting in a jury room the size of your office/cube with 25 other people. While we sat in the jury room, the cases all settled with pleas. Go figure. Then the judge sat us down to tell us how it is because we did our duty and showed up that they plea bargained. Whew and I though I had just drooled on myself for no reason.

 

[BKM]

Yep. Jury foreman for the drugs and weapons trial of Vallejo resident "Big Kev." Big Kev and his crew, upon being arrested and released on bail, decided the best way to help their case was to attempt to blow up the Vallejo Police Department's evidence storage room. They may have been expert rappers and true veterans of the narcotics industry, but they were not very knowledgeable about explosives

Unfortunately, my trial was the boring standard weapons and rugs part, not the explosives! The ADA was one of the most boring individuals I've ever had to listen to, but I really have to say I felt sorry for the defense attorney. The hopelessness of his case shone through his eyes like the face of doom.

 

[otterpop]

Because my father is a lawyer, I have been excused by the defense attorney every time I have been called for jury duty. One time the defense attorney said "We thankfully excuse Mr. . . . " Which had a wonderful double meaning - was he thanking me or was he expressing relief at being rid of me? Too bad too, because I could tell his client was guilty as sin. ^o)

 

[PlannerGirl]

lol maybe i need to start saying im invovled with a lawyer. *steve isnt but im still close to the ex who was*

 

[biscuit]

Was called up once when I was 19 but got out of it because I was about 250 miles away at school.

 

[Mastiff]

Just did it...

Drove 90 miles just to waste all morning waiting, and then have the case dismissed...

 

[JNL]

I got called up last year and after much waiting around (take a book to read!!), almost got on a case. But there was a last minute guilty plea. So out we go again. Next day, same thing. Not nearly as interesting as I'd hoped :-\

 

[Zoning Goddess]

Called once, about 5 years ago. Sat in the courtroom from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and did not get chosen (OK, I had an issue with one of the loud-mouth defense attorneys). They would not let us read magazines/books, we had to listen to the lawyers' questions. It was the most boring day of my life.

 

[JNA]

The haven't caught up to me yet.

No since I move to IN.

Back when I lived in Denver, CO was called and seated on a jury.
Good exprience, case - unmarried domestic abuse, poor judgement by a parent mixing drugs and alcohol, and a child was involved - very stupid behavior.

 

[NHPlanner]

Called a year ago September. Served on 2 juries during my monthlong "period" of jury duty. Was foreman of the jury on an assault case against a police officer, and also served on a statutory rape case. Not much fun to experience the last case, especially when my mother told me that she had had the 2 girls as students in 4th grade.

 

[Budgie]

No, I haven't had the honor (I'm sincere) to serve as a juror. However, I've testified in a couple zoning cases and an armed robbery.