Jury Duty

Merf · #1 03-31-2004, 03:47 PM

Has anyone here ever had to sit on a jury?

I just got finished with a 2-day civil trial. It was a personal injury after an automobile accident type thing.

I'd love to hear everyone else's experiences, good and bad.

strandinthewind · #2 03-31-2004, 03:52 PM

Well, considering I am a trial lawyer . . .

dissention · #3 03-31-2004, 03:52 PM

I <3333333333333333333 jury duty.

Violet · #4 03-31-2004, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by strandinthewind
Well, considering I am a trial lawyer . . .

So what's the chance you'd pick a court reporter for a jury? I have jury duty in May....it's my second time. First time was in FL. I made the pool for a double attempt homicide, and I knew the asst state atty. I didn't make the jury, but he said it's only because they never made it to the S's when picking the jury. Oh well!

Carol

hayley · #5 03-31-2004, 05:06 PM

I was all excited that this thread would be about Pauly Shore!

I had jury duty once for a home invasion.

strandinthewind · #6 03-31-2004, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Violet
So what's the chance you'd pick a court reporter for a jury? I have jury duty in May....it's my second time. First time was in FL. I made the pool for a double attempt homicide, and I knew the asst state atty. I didn't make the jury, but he said it's only because they never made it to the S's when picking the jury. Oh well!

Carol

It would depend, but probably not. Court reporters probably would know too much law for the case, etc. They might try to apply a law they thought was relevant that was not. But it really just depends.

Violet · #7 03-31-2004, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by strandinthewind
It would depend, but probably not. Court reporters probably would know too much law for the case, etc. They might try to apply a law they thought was relevant that was not. But it really just depends.

I can understand that. I'm a freelancer, so I'm never in court. Actually in 18 years of doing this, I've never sat through a whole trial. They do criminal depos in FL, and I'd go up to the courtrooms to catch parts of interesting cases, but that's it.

Les · #8 03-31-2004, 05:16 PM

I got called for Federal jury duty a few years back. I was assigned for 3-4 months and served on two cases. Both were drug-smuggling cases (over the border from Tijuana into San Diego).

It was interesting. I'm sort of glad to have had the experience, but I can't say I enjoyed it.

strandinthewind · #9 03-31-2004, 05:23 PM

Well, the sad thing is alot of people get paid by the hour and lose several days of work in jury duty, which pays on average about $25 or less per day. But, it is part of your civic duty, etc.

wondergirl9847 · #10 03-31-2004, 05:51 PM

I have had it once. I don't remember what it was for, I was so uninterested. LOL The lawyer asked a bunch of questions like "Has anyone had a bad court experience before?" People were saying things like "I hate lawyers." and telling of their bad divorce proceedings. LOL He finally asked "Who just doesn't wanna be here?" I raised my hand and said I'd rather be at work. They didn't pick me.

My dad just got his summons in the mail. He goes April 13th.

I only got $12 for my two days, and fortunately, my job paid me for those two days also.

darklinensuit · #11 03-31-2004, 05:51 PM

Over ten years ago in the Philly suburbs I got called for a mob murder case

along with almost a hundred others. They filled the slots, but I'm sure I would not have been picked. I hear they look for open faces, and I'm as mean looking as they come (Ask my students

).

- Jake

DeeGeMe · #12 03-31-2004, 06:04 PM

Jake--sweetie-how in the world could anyone think you were mean?

I got called last year for traffic court. I announced that I was a member of MADD; that I had once worked in law enforcement, and that I had three members of my family who were in law enforcement. I did not get picked. My Mom got called for traffic court this year. They asked her would her membership in MADD affect her ability to render a fair verdict in drunk-driving cases. She said yes. The judge dismissed her. Turns out that drunk driving cases were all they were doing that week.

darklinensuit · #13 03-31-2004, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeeGeMe
Jake--sweetie-how in the world could anyone think you were mean?

See, Marissa, you big dumbass? I TOLD you I'm nice.

- Jake

cliffdweller · #14 03-31-2004, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by darklinensuit
I'm as mean looking as they come (Ask my students ).

- Jake

I didn't think you looked mean, however, you were about to go see Fleetwood Mac. How can you look anything but in the throes of ecstacy before that?

darklinensuit · #15 03-31-2004, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cliffdweller
I didn't think you looked mean, however, you were about to go see Fleetwood Mac. How can you look anything but in the throes of ecstacy before that?

You didn't see my face minutes before the concert when we were almost trapped in the car in the parking lot near the hotel.

- Jake