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Jury summons

jon f mn

jon f mn

Well-known Member
Got one in the mail today. Just wondering how many here served on a jury and what you thought of it?
 

I was called twice and both times I was recovering from surgery so I was excused. If I have the time when they call me I wouldn't mind serving.
 
I am scheduled to go this Tuesday, got called one other time after I moved out of state, put down 1100 miles round trip, never heard back.
 
I had it once. Here,jury pick day is a one day event. They seat all the jurys for the three months that you're on,all in one day. I ended up being seated on three. Two of those were settled before the trial date so I only had to go to one. The judge wasn't born yesterday,so don't try any of the crap people tell you to do to get out of it. The judge used to be my lawyer and he used to milk cows himself,so he knew how busy I was. It didn't matter. I tried the "little hard of hearing" thing. He asked if I could hear him right now. I said "Yes sir". He said "That's good enough".
One guy,who's brother in law was a cop,tried some crap about how the guy was guilty or he wouldn't be on trial. Boy,Don dressed him down and gave him a lesson in the criminal justice system that had him red faced and practically crawling under his seat.
The one trial I served on was a joke to me. They called it "domestic assault". Two of us voted against conviction because it was one bunch of lying trailer trash lying about another bunch of lying trailer trash,and was about as far from assault as anything,in my book. The foreman finally convinced the other person that no matter what we thought,it met the legal definition and we had to convict. If I hadn't needed to get home to milk,we would have sat there til all heck froze over before I would have voted to convict the guy.
 
I have been called two times and served one time. It is just like regular people some have a different way of loking at things and even though 11 other people see something different they have a hard time changing there mind.Overall it is a good experience learning the legal system.
 
I served once on the county level. Was on call for a month but only had 2 trials in that time period. Sat on the first one which was drunk driving and drug possession (not first offense but they didn't tell us that). The defendant was from another state also. One day trial was a good learning experience to see how the system works. Got out of the second trial.
 
I served on a murder trial years ago. One of the best experiences I've ever had. Never understood why people try so hard to get out of it.
 
I got the call one time, and sat through a 2 day panel selection, but didn't get seated. Those slick lawyers can ask the very same question, with different wording and get 3 or 4 different answers.
 
I've been a registered voter who voted in every local, state, and national election since I was 21 years old (that was the minimum age back then). I've never once been called to jury duty in all of those years. I wish I would be called. I think it would be fun.

Tom in TN
 
I got a summons back when I was in the service, and on a Polaris patrol at the time. My Dad wrote "In the service, overseas on deployment" and sent it back. I haven't received any since.
 
got called once lawyers was going through their questioning. The guy being tried for drug and rape charges. His attorney asked me if I had children and I said yes, 3 girls. He looked at me with this burr haircut and asked how old my girls were, I told him they were 13,15 and 17 and he used one of his passes to get me out of there. I am pretty sure I could of voted to hang him!
 
called once first one picked to sit . was a very bad case sat two days took two days to decide still bothers me
 
Got called several times in the '70's and early 80's- served on 5 or 6 trials, I think. Good experience, overall- but then, I got full pay from my job as well as the jury pay, so I made out fine. For some reason, haven't been called for about 20 years. Still live in same place, still a registered voter. Probably just as well- I'm self-employed now, no workee, no payee, so it wouldn't be much fun.
 
Like others, I got called and it was settled before the trial. I think the lawyers should have paid for the jury cost out of their own pockets. A waste of time and money. Another thing that burns me is police arrest someone on several charges. The states attorney wants to win every case because he is going to run for judge some day so they start knocking off the hard charges and win the easy ones. That way both lawyers win.
 
I have served once. I don't think I will be called on again because I served on the highest verdict in county history. On the first case we had a maximum penalty which is what we did. The second case a guy basically lost his livelihood, so we recommended the max plus interest, a few months later in the paper it said $430,000.00. I saw one of the jury members later and I told him not to worry about being selected again. I enjoyed the experience, I just don't think I will have to do it again.
 
I worked next to a guy that really liked it. First time I had to go we sat around until about noon, then all had to go into a court room and listen to the judge tell us how important we were even though we didn't do anything, first case was a plea deal, said he tried to get another one and don't remember what happened to that. If the judge would have just said thanks instead of screwing around 45 minutes I'd of been ok with it, as it was I was pizzed with the whole deal. Second time I got my summons to fill out and send in was a few years after our house got robbed while on vacation. I filled it out and added a note that maybe they didn't want me since we got robbed and the sheriffs dept. never caught anybody and I been looking for somebody to hang ever since, haven't heard from them since.
 
The other side this time, but that won't stop me from teaching them the rules if they forgot.
 
Got called when I was active duty USMC in California...I wasn't a California resident, so could not be legally called. It took my Sargent Major SEVERAL phone calls to convince them I wasn't gonna show. Got called this passed fall in Missouri. I had a knee replacement scheduled, and I told them I am NOT going to put THAT off for jury duty. I am expecting them to give me notice again any time....maybe I can schedule the OTHER knee for then....8^)
 
I served on a two day fraud trial. Fascinating.I would serve again in a heartbeat. BTW.We 'voted' the defendant NOT guilty.Extremly obvious that the defendant was framed. The DA dropped the ball-big time.
 
The last time I was called the Judge and the attorneys did not show up,the clerk said the roads were too bad.
I told her that I made it and I would remember that excuse the next time I was called. That was over ten years ago and I haven't been called since.(small county)
 
Been through it a couple times now, didn't care for it, but at least I served if that's any consolation. I believe there have been some recent notices in the last year, seems if you do not respond they eventually go away.

Summer of '99 was called for a grand jury and was told by the boss man at the time you have to get out of this, we can't not have you on the job, meaning if I go, I'm fired as I took it. This sure put a lot of pressure on me about it, so I tried some crafty language and attitude with the lady on the phone and she responded about the part of being out of town, saying that you'll do this or that and we'll let you out of it, but I will be sure to notify the jurisdiction you claim to live in, which was NJ at the time. It was frustrating, at one point I just said the heck with them if they want to push, I'll be sure to not show up, and will stand my ground if you pursue it any further, enough is enough lady.. buzz off. Not the greatest attitude, but when cornered something has to give.
 
Called several times, never picked. I don't mind serving, but I do resent how the system considers our time and convenience to be totally unimportant. Theirs on the other hand.....
 
I served on a drunk driver case, his 6th offense. He admitted to 5 beers and 3 shots but said he was not drunk. Jury watched dash cam of him walking the line Guilty as charged. Never heard what the penalty was. Yes I'd do it again in a heart beat.
 
Been called 4 times, twice to county/state court, twice to city court.

City court is small stuff, traffic tickets, never takes more than half a day. Last time I got called they canceled court because not enough jurors showed up. You can bet those that didn't show got fined, easy money for the city!

The county court is another story! Huge operation, hundreds of jurors processed every day! First time I spent all day sitting, waiting, just to be sent home, not needed.

The next time I was seated on an intoxication manslaughter case. Young man and his girlfriend out bar hopping. They were asked to leave a bar right down the street from the court house. He drove straight down the street and crashed into the very court house we were in, she was killed. We could look out the room we were sent to to deliberate and actually see where the accident happened!

We ended up giving him 10 years probation, reason was there were no innocent victims. She was just as drunk, willingly went out to get drunk with no plan for getting home. He did have to serve 6 months in jail, "Safe P" program, alcohol awareness/treatment. Don't know what ever came of him, doubt he stayed out long. He was in total denial of any drinking problem.
 
My sister served on a grand jury in Chicago. She loved it. She found it to be one of the most interesting rewarding experiences she has ever had.

I have been called a few time but never chosen. During one selection process, the defendant freaked out and started shouting at me and gesturing wildly. Sort of reminds me of dating.
 
Called a couple times. The third time was picked. It was interesting. It was a rape case. Couple splits, daughters are living with dad. Dad finds a girl friend, they split and daughters stay with girlfriend. Girlfriend finds a boyfriend and he rapes the girls. Older girl would say very little, younger girl talked. Five day trial.
 
I was notified by mail once while I was on the road. Back when I had my tractor/trailer I was on the road for 50 weeks at a time and just came home for two weeks a year to check the property. Mail went to my parents house and they would forward important stuff, I had property bills on auto pay. Jury notice came and my Father told them about my schedule, they dropped my name off their list.
 
I got called the first time the Summer I spent working in Alaska, they weren't interested in paying the travel fees. Didn't have to serve the next time called. The last time was just this past Fall, I sat on a one day assault trial. I found it to be fascinating and rewarding to do my duty.
 
I've got called twice this week and I couldn't win the lottery if I tried. I am on call for the the month of feburary to the feds an I go Tuesday it seems I get an email every day a phone call every other day and a letter. They also mentioned something about 3 days in jail, 1000 dollar fine or community service if no show so my opinion seems to matter.
At the same time in a classic left don't know the right I got called for county last Thursday but that one got called off. But it would have been an interesting day.
I don't know if it's a premonition or not but at work we were baling new clothes up for shredding and one had the monogram bail me out . I so wanted that jacket.
My biggest worry is if I hit a comfortable chair it's nap time and I hope they don't use a taser.
 
I served once. It was very interesting, everyone should do it at least once. The only bummer is I have to take time off work and the system seems to think that $7.00 a day is fair compensation.
 
Served on a capital murder jury in North Carolina about thirty years ago. It definitely affected my opinion on a number of things, including capital punishment.
 
My wife was called several times but each time she was dismissed when they found out her whole family was some sort of NY cop.
 
Steve;
You guys have jury trials for traffic court?

We do not have old English law in Louisiana. So we live by a different set of rules.
In fact the United States Supreme Court slapped Louisiana's hand years ago and made them lower the jury trial threshold.

Think our threshold today is......
Tort cases, like personal injury lawsuits is $50,000
And criminal cases is punishable by a maximum fine of $500 and six months in prison
If your case does not meet this threshold it is considered "petty crimes" and you ain't getting no jury trial.
 
I have served a couple times, and called one other time and dismissed. Both times i was on it was interesting, and you learn some things from the experience. I agree everyone should serve at least once. First time was probably most interesting as it was a case where a Catholic priest was suing a construction company because they cut a hole in a floor of the rectory they were building, and he went in in the dark to get a broom and fell through the hole in the floor they had cut for the stairwell. That was a two day ordeal.
 


The only time that got a notice, I was in California and didn't know when I'd be back home. I called them and told them, and didn't hear anything after that. That time I was gone for two months and a week.
 
He was probably guilty under the definition of the law,but it was the most lame stretch of it's application that I ever saw. According to Michigan law,any unwanted touching by somebody living in the same house is "assult". According to testimony,his father was standing between the accused and the father's girlfriend (the victim). The accused reached around his father and pushed the woman's shoulder. I've seen assult,in my book,that ain't it,but according to the law,it was.
 
I got called once on a car/semi accident on the Interstate. I was dismissed as a juror because one of the doctors who was being called to testify was the same neurosurgeon who had operated successfully on my back.

Got called several other times, but the case was always settled before going to court.
 
I was called for grand jury a few years ago, that's the jury who decides if there is enough evidence to go to trial. About 75 people showed up to fill 22 slots. Judge asked if anyone thought they had a good reason to not serve and 4 of them got in line 2 went home and 2 stayed for jury selection. The Clerk drew names and if you name came up you made the jury. After the 22 were chosen, Judge sent the rest home the 2 who wanted to leave were the first ones out the door. I was sitting about half way back on the aisle and the judge pointed pointed towards the back and said what's your name, I looked around and nobody was there. I pointed to myself and he said yes you. told him my name and he said You're the foreman. The clerk said we were the grand jury for 3 months and gave us a number to call to see if the jury would be needed. We had to go in twice in the 3 months. The DA explained how it worked he would bring a criminal in tell us what he did and we decided if he should go to trial. This is where you find out how stupid criminals are. It seems to be all about the intent of the perp. One guy convinced the other 21 his buddies convinced him they had permission to clean the scrap metal out of the garage. When we were done for the day the foreman goes over to the judges office to report what was done that day. I kinda enjoyed the day.
 
(quoted from post at 19:27:37 02/12/16) Got one in the mail today. Just wondering how many here served on a jury and what you thought of it?
Click to expand...

Been summoned many times.Served 6 or 7 times.Everything from town to grand.I lived in a town where everybody knew everybody.Got called for town jury duty.Worked nights in the next town to the west.The night before I was to report I got a call at work from the P/D of my town saying "George don't report for jury duty tomorrow,settled out of court".
Jury duty is one of those things that has to be done but to me it's a pain.
 
Used to get jury summons, but when they found out I was in law enforcement for 8 years, I was excused. They don't want law enforcement people on the jury. Both attornys like gullable people
 
Been called for duty a few times, but only one case actually went to trial. With the evidence provided, it was a not guilty verdict. What REALLY should have happened, is the defendant AND the plaintiff should have been locked up.
What really p!$$ed me off was not knowing when we'd be done ("we stay until the trial is done"), and not being able to call anyone. Maybe not a big deal for someone working 9-5, but when you have cows that need to be fed and milked, you HAVE to be able to go, or call someone to get them to help.
 
> Both attornys like gullable people [sic]

Not really. They don't want to retry the case. Having an LEO on the jury is grounds for appeal.
 
> it was a not guilty verdict. What REALLY should have happened, is the defendant AND the plaintiff should have been locked up.

Huh? "Guilty/not guilty" verdicts are reserved for criminal trials. "Plaintiff/Defendant" normally means a civil trial. Unless, of course, by plaintiff you mean the state, represented by the DA. Are you saying your whole state should be locked up? Or just the DA?
 
Been called a couple of times. Served on one case. Very interesting. Guy sexually assaulted mentally impaired niece. Second day of trial he did not show up. We proceeded with the case. At lunch I told everyone that I had the feeling he would not be showing up for the rest of the trial or verdict. We proceeded with finding him guilty. After the verdict was read the Judge said he wanted to talk with all of us. He told us that they had found him in the morning and he had taken his life, but they wanted to continue with the case so there would be some closure. The whole situation was a no win for everyone involved.
 
I have been called several times over the years. Most times it was just reporting to the jury pool in case you were needed. Some of the time it was just calling in to see if I needed to report.
The last time it was a totally miserable experience. After getting the propaganda pitch and movie about "wonderful" it was to serve, we were jerked around all day. First thing was a case that was still being "negotiated" for a plea bargain. There was apparently a lot of uncertainty, so the judge would not allow us out of the jury pool room except to go to the bathroom. We were kept there until late afternoon, not allowed a lunch break, and finally sent home. I had a splitting headache and sick to my stomach from missing breakfast and lunch. A totally miserable day.
 
i've been called for jury pool a few times once the person trail decided to change plea to guilty when he found out what the cops knew.
another time the baliff told us once the same judge we had didn't have enough people on jury pool so the judge issued
warrants for arrest of for all those that were no shows.
 
I've served on two juries, a civil case and a criminal case in which the defendant was accused of attempted rape of his ex-wife. If he had not gotten up to testify on his own behalf, we would not have convicted him. On cross examination he was caught in lie after lie. He did more damage to himself than the D.A.

In the civil case a woman was suing CVS because she claimed she tripped and fell over a Christmas display in the store. She lost. We found out later that she had a history of suing other businesses for similar "accidents."
 
I have been summoned for Federal jury duty next month. Its 150 miles away. They pay mileage, (low), hotel for those over 80 miles away (fair), and a whole $40 per day!
My job will give me full pay, so I will look on it as an amusing paid vacation to beautiful downtown Fresno if the phone call says go. I am looking forward to a Basque meal at the Noriega Hotel, and picking through a vintage car junk yard.
 
(quoted from post at 22:14:54 02/12/16) My sister served on a grand jury in Chicago. She loved it. She found it to be one of the most interesting rewarding experiences she has ever had.

I have been called a few time but never chosen. During one selection process, the defendant freaked out and started shouting at me and gesturing wildly. Sort of reminds me of dating.
Click to expand...


I guess you didn't sign up for e harmony? 8)
 
Got notice twice, served on case once.
First time when I lived in twin city area. Dispatch kept me on short runs to make sure I would be home. Called on case about big finance deal, excused when defense found I had dealings with other side. Spent rest of week in courthouse basement playing cards, reading, or napping. Employer (Koch trking) paid difference between what court paid & my average weekly pay over past year.
Second time after retiring & moving to P C. Was a drug possession case, naughty girl left package in back of sheriff car. Defense used its time to try to discredit credentials of BCA lab tech, not whether or not the girl actually stashed the package in the car.
Pool is picked random from driver license & voter lists. Now retired so can't use missing work as excuse, but being over 70 yrs old can ask to be excused if called again.

Willie.
 
Since the sheriff told me I had to take off my boots and then told me I might have blown up the world trade center they go right in the garbage. Meanwhile every wacky looking foreigner is going in the courthouse without being told to take their boots or shoes off. Screw that.
 
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