Son of a....ARG!!!!

wondergirl9847 · #1 08-17-2005, 02:25 PM

I got my Jury Duty summons today. My mom is on hers right now. How the hell can I get out of this shiz!!!!! I am supposed to leave for Colorado on September 16th and the JD is on September 6th. That is 10 days, but if I get picked, I'm gonna be livid.

DAMMMIIIIIITTTTT!!!!!!

Anyone got any tips on not getting picked?

eclipse · #2 08-17-2005, 02:33 PM

Sorry, but I have served on a jury and I am glad that I did. The only problem with jury's is that everyone does NOT want to be there. So God forbid, someone accused your friend of a crime and he is innocent. Look at what he may get as a "jury of his peers"-
I was mortified when I went. I felt like if I japped out of the duty the guy would have been left withjout a hope of a fair trial-Everyone just wanted to go home....
The only reason I am saying this to you Christy is because I believe things happen for a reason, and maybe for whatever reason...
You will be the only sane voice on that panel and someone's future may very well be in your hands.. Sounds ptretty heavy, but it is true. Think about it before you try and bail (no pun intended)
Or better yet go to the court and say you have a trip planned -can you be on the next session picked...can't hurt to try..
~~eclipse~~

reebokandlace · #3 08-17-2005, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wondergirl9847

I got my Jury Duty summons today. My mom is on hers right now. How the hell can I get out of this shiz!!!!! I am supposed to leave for Colorado on September 16th and the JD is on September 6th. That is 10 days, but if I get picked, I'm gonna be livid.

DAMMMIIIIIITTTTT!!!!!!

Anyone got any tips on not getting picked?

Well, let me tell you how I got out of it. I went into jury duty knowing I had to say something bizarre to get out of it. I was called for jury duty for a drunk driving incident-- when I appeared in court, the defendant was there, which surprised me (having never been called for jury duty I didn't know what to expect) they asked me a few questions blah blah blah -- I told the attorney "I thought the guy was guilty", he asked me why I think that, I said "I can tell just by looking at him, he looks like a drunk, so therefore he must be guilty. I have these psychic feeeeeelings about these type of things". He said "thank you very much, we won't be needing you" and dismissed me.

I know it made me look insane, it was some of the best acting of my life, but I didn't have to spend another minute in the courtroom and I was never called for jury duty again.

You may also be able to tell them that you are out of town that week. I would call the court annon to confirm if "out of town" is an excuse.

GateandGarden · #4 08-17-2005, 02:40 PM

Some of the people I know got out of it by saying crazy things, though I'm not sure what they were. I know someone got out of a first degree murder trial by saying she was against capital punishment. I'm going to use that one if that ever comes up, especially since I have no intention of sitting on a jury if a guilty verdict would mean killing someone.

But maybe it's simpler to get off than I realize. Maybe you can just say you're planning a trip.

GateandGarden · #5 08-17-2005, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reebokandlace

Well, let me tell you how I got out of it. I went into jury duty knowing I had to say something bizarre to get out of it. I was called for jury duty for a drunk driving incident-- when I appeared in court, the defendent was there, which surprised me (having never been called for jury duty I didn't know what to expect) they asked me a few questions blah blah blah -- I told the attorney "I thought the guy was guilty", he asked me why I think that, I said "I can tell just by looking at him, he looks like a drunk, so therefore he must be guilty. I have these psychic feeeeeelings about these type of things". He said "thank you very much, we won't be needing you" and dismissed me.

I know it made me look insane, it was some of the best acting of my life, but I didn't have to spend another minute in the courtroom and I was never called for jury duty again.

I can see myself doing something like that.

JazmenFlowers · #6 08-17-2005, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wondergirl9847

I got my Jury Duty summons today. My mom is on hers right now. How the hell can I get out of this shiz!!!!! I am supposed to leave for Colorado on September 16th and the JD is on September 6th. That is 10 days, but if I get picked, I'm gonna be livid.

DAMMMIIIIIITTTTT!!!!!!

Anyone got any tips on not getting picked?

Having worked in the clerk's office for 6 years while in high school and college, yes, I was the one who sent those jury summons...I have heard every kind of excuse to get out of it. we always took the excuses and presented them to the judge who would decide. yours seems valid. I would type up why you feel you can't serve and attach copies of receipts where your trip is paid for and be sure you say it would be a hardship and loss of money, blah blah. that's the best, most honest and legal way to do it. there are, of course, more evil

ways...hehe

David · #7 08-17-2005, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wondergirl9847

Anyone got any tips on not getting picked?

If you aren't afraid to perjure yourself in court, when you are questioned by the various attorneys & the judge, tell them you work as a City desk reporter for the local paper.

You'll be out of the courtroom & on your way home before lunch!

wondergirl9847 · #8 08-17-2005, 03:04 PM

Thanks everyone. I think I'll try to postpone it because we've already booked hotels and bought tickets. I'm going to try to do this online....never done it before, so wish me luck!

Has anyone ever just shredded theirs claiming to never get it? LOL Also, how many chances to you get before they fine you?

See, another thing, I don't drive, don't have a car, and my dad works during the day. I am being called at 12:30PM and he would have to take off work just to take me down there and stay and if I'm called back...take me back again, losing money from his job. Can I use that? LOL

Pisces Queen · #9 08-17-2005, 03:09 PM

Good luck!

wondergirl9847 · #10 08-17-2005, 03:17 PM

I just postponed it until November 29th...so there ya go. I have no problems now. I'm shredding this one since they said they'd send me a new one 2 weeks prior to my new date.

GateandGarden · #11 08-17-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wondergirl9847

I just postponed it until November 29th...so there ya go. I have no problems now. I'm shredding this one since they said they'd send me a new one 2 weeks prior to my new date.

Cool!

I'm glad that worked out for you.

Chilly Willy · #12 08-17-2005, 03:27 PM

I think jury duty is not only a civic obligation, but a fun time! I've been called 8 times by the state and twice for federal court. I've met some great people in the jury room and heard some cool cases. Kidnapping, murder, gun running...

I understand your conflict, but I would just go and see what happens. I don't know what the system is like there, but here it's only 50/50 that you'll get called out of the jury pool for a case. Once you're in the courtroom the judge will tell you when the trial will begin and how long it will last. If that conflicts with your schedule they'll let you go back to the jury pool where the odds of being sent out to another courtroom are even less. Contrary to what you see on the tube, most major trials are 1 or 2 days, even for murder. There aren't a lot of big show trials. Drug dealing and assault trials are generally a few hours.

You should go. You'll meet people, learn stuff, have an interesting change of routine, and be a good citizen.

WildInTheWind · #13 08-17-2005, 04:06 PM

I got a summons, too. It's been postponed several times, I guess now I just have to do it. The problem is that I just can't afford to give up1-3 or more days pay. I guess the don't care that some people live paycheck to paycheck and can't afford to live on $12 a day. The week of Aug. 29th I probably won't be able to buy groceries because I have jury duty. That just isn't right.

That is how badly I cannot miss work.

BTFLCHLD · #14 08-17-2005, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildInTheWind

I got a summons, too. It's been postponed several times, I guess now I just have to do it. The problem is that I just can't afford to give up1-3 or more days pay. I guess the don't care that some people live paycheck to paycheck and can't afford to live on $12 a day. The week of Aug. 29th I probably won't be able to buy groceries because I have jury duty. That just isn't right.

That is how badly I cannot miss work.

did you tell them that? i know when i was called...there was a paper to fill out giving general info and if you felt you couldnt serve...i filled out my reasoning and was excused...if you cant get out of it over the phone, show up the first day with the reasons you cant continue another day...good luck.

WildInTheWind · #15 08-17-2005, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTFLCHLD

did you tell them that? i know when i was called...there was a paper to fill out giving general info and if you felt you couldnt serve...i filled out my reasoning and was excused...if you cant get out of it over the phone, show up the first day with the reasons you cant continue another day...good luck.

I have told them that before when I get them postponed. They keep sedning the summons though, so I guess I will just go and tell them, hey I can't afford to do this! $12 a day is ridiculous. I guess alot of people's employers pay them when they have july duty...I'm not so lucky though.