Jury Duty

[ImDMous]

Extreme Dread! I've been called about 4 times, always been excused the first day until last year. I ended up on a trial and it was just too much for this little introvert. After the initial questioning by the judge, by both attorneys; I was exhausted and stressed out. After that it was really much easier, mostly just waiting. It was a week long and we came to a decision with a suitable amount of discussion (again very hard for an introvert), but it was really fine after the initial shock that I was actually ON a jury.

I just got another summons last week and had a panic attack. I went on the website to defer it and change my location to get around work stuff and realized that if you have been on a trial in the last three years, you don't have to go, so I'm good for a while.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Full-blown panic attack here. I first got called the week after my 18th birthday. Despite there being a state superior court in my town, which does jury selection with citizens from other towns, people in our town have to go to the court house in a lousy crime-infested area of the big city. It scares the heck out of me going there. The jury administrators are horribly rude and nasty...they love to scream at people. I got called 5 times in 7 years and had to go every time. Apparently there's something in my background that judges and lawyers don't want in a potential juror, so I get excused and then it doesn't count as service (but you actually have to go and tell them, there's nothing on the pre-questionnaire that would disqualify me). I'm also extremely introverted and easily intimidated, I literally cannot speak in front of a group of people (especially if they're all looking at me...I'll start crying uncontrollably). And if it were a case involving a child of an animal...I can't even listen to a summary. Kind of like a PTSD thing...

DH gets called every 3 years like clockwork - the minute his previous service expires, he gets summoned again. No way is that random.

I did get called about a year ago, but I went online and was able to get disqualified because I'm a SAHM of a toddler. I've heard different things about how long that disqualification lasts...some say until your child is 6, but others say 12. I guess I'll find out.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Oh, look! Another example of "adulting".

Ugh, jury duty.

 

[snapppyd]

Anyone else get nervous?

I got my notice, but the start date is actually during our Disney trip. I filled out the online questionnaire and requested a postponement.

 

[snapppyd]

Full-blown panic attack here. I first got called the week after my 18th birthday. Despite there being a state superior court in my town, which does jury selection with citizens from other towns, people in our town have to go to the court house in a lousy crime-infested area of the big city. It scares the heck out of me going there. The jury administrators are horribly rude and nasty...they love to scream at people. I got called 5 times in 7 years and had to go every time. Apparently there's something in my background that judges and lawyers don't want in a potential juror, so I get excused and then it doesn't count as service (but you actually have to go and tell them, there's nothing on the pre-questionnaire that would disqualify me). I'm also extremely introverted and easily intimidated, I literally cannot speak in front of a group of people (especially if they're all looking at me...I'll start crying uncontrollably). And if it were a case involving a child of an animal...I can't even listen to a summary. Kind of like a PTSD thing...

DH gets called every 3 years like clockwork - the minute his previous service expires, he gets summoned again. No way is that random.

I did get called about a year ago, but I went online and was able to get disqualified because I'm a SAHM of a toddler. I've heard different things about how long that disqualification lasts...some say until your child is 6, but others say 12. I guess I'll find out.

Me too! Just saying my name in public gives me anxiety. Also, I've been retired for so long my wardrobe consists of mostly jeans, tee shirts, etc. DH laughs at me, but my first thought was "OMG, what will i wear?"!

 

[easyas123]

Admittedly I don't get being nervous or anxious over it...but I've also only ever been selected once about 20 years ago, and as I was a SAHM at the time I was able to get out of it no problem.
I do write the occasional letter for employees to be excused from it, always works.
And yes, it is for reasons we consider valid, and obviously the court agrees.
I handle my parents affairs for them stateside as they are often not around - I've had to go into our local courthouse (rural area, easier to do face to face- gets better results) and explain that my Mother couldn't attend jury duty since she's been out of the country and continues to be. They looked at me funny, but I guess I'm convincing because they excused her!

 

[wgeo]

Me too! Just saying my name in public gives me anxiety. Also, I've been retired for so long my wardrobe consists of mostly jeans, tee shirts, etc. DH laughs at me, but my first thought was "OMG, what will i wear?"!

I totally understand the wardrobe thing. I live in So FL - we're required to wear business casual and "no sandals". Well ummm, I don't really own business casual I work from home in shorts and a tank top all day. I have the dresses I wear to church, but every single "dressy" shoe I wear is a fancy sandal. I was like - what am I supposed to do? FWIW - I wore my dressy sandals and no one said anything - I assume they were implying to not wear flip flops.

 

[robinb]

Answering without reading what anyone else says.

I feel a little annoyed that I have to take time out of my life, but I understand the importance of juries to the proper function of our judicial system. I actively look down on people who try to get out of jury duty just because they don't want to do it. I feel there are very few legitimate excuses to get out of jury duty. It is your responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America.

 

[kaytieeldr]

As far as I know, you get to pick your postponement date from a large set of eligible dates, though I don’t think you get to pick the location. Also, the state courts are by county. I don’t think you can be called for a Boston court unless you’re in Suffolk County (just Boston and three other towns). Not that Cambridge is any better for commuting or parking.

Yeah, everyone in the state can get called to see in Federal court (where at least defendants in the college entrance scandal are going.)

people in our town have to go to the court house in a lousy crime-infested area of the big city. It scares the heck out of me going there.

First time I got the notice, it was to a city like this. I called the number on the card. The woman said to write, "extreme fear of..." on the card and send it back. I ended up rescheduled for the court at the other end of my street.

Anyway, I feel...important? I want to serve, but I've only been summoned three times. First and third times, I called the night before and wasn't needed. Second time, I did get picked. E sat through the instruction film, then had about a two hour break. I could see my building from the back deck of the courthouse, but didn't go home for fear of falling asleep!

Anyway, eventually we all entered the courtroom - and were dismissed. The defendant had pleased guilty.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I'm on many psychotropic drugs because of my mental illness, which makes it difficult for me to keep the concentration I need. I get a letter from my psychiatrist, and the court defers me for a year. Funnily enough, I got a summons just the other day.

It's not that I mind jury duty-I had it once years ago in Philly, a criminal case where an old man was attacked by a guy when he was coming out of the subway. I found it fascinating. This was before I cracked up. I just can't do it now.

 

[MrsDuck]

Tired already.

 

[Kitty 34]

I have been called 4 times. I'm a weird one cuz I love it!! I even got to be a Jury Foreman once on a guilty case. I was a little nervous about standing up and giving the verdict but it was way cool.

 

[Feralpeg]

I'm not thrilled as it means a drive downtown, but I really don't mind serving. I've served on several juries. I was foreman once. I find the whole process very interesting. I've served on both criminal and civil cases.

 

[karmic]

Got called once in my early 20s- the 1970s- I was a hospital nurse and at the time considered essential personel- was excused and have never been called again ‍

 

[dclpluto]

Petit juror is no problem. Good county and I get paid from work.

My wife had juror duty in Camden. Luckily she didn’t have to go. As we know Camden is bad.

A guy at work had to go to Trenton for juror duty. This has been a long time ago. He couldn’t find it so he asked a cop where it was. The cop told him where it was but told him not to stop at the light if it’s red just make sure the coast is clear. He’s thinking the cop is trying to set him up. He stops at the red light and he finds out real fast what the cop meant he comes skum bags walking up on both sides of his vehicle. He didn’t stick around.

 

[dotfurio]

Dread. It's such a hassle and the jury selection process is tedious.

 

[RedAngie]

Petit juror is no problem. Good county and I get paid from work.

My wife had juror duty in Camden. Luckily she didn’t have to go. As we know Camden is bad.

A guy at work had to go to Trenton for juror duty. This has been a long time ago. He couldn’t find it so he asked a cop where it was. The cop told him where it was but told him not to stop at the light if it’s red just make sure the coast is clear. He’s thinking the cop is trying to set him up. He stops at the red light and he finds out real fast what the cop meant he comes skum bags walking up on both sides of his vehicle. He didn’t stick around.

The area around the Camden County Courthouse is safe during the day. And I'll bet that guy at work made up that story.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I find it interesting. There was a time I was called every year, but I haven't been called in several years now.

 

[rigs32]

2 hour lunch every day, 2 half hour breaks.

I realize it seems excessive, but the attorneys aren’t taking long lunches and chatting during those breaks. The midday breaks are for water, bathroom visits, and to deal with any legal issues that came up or are about to come up. Over lunch, as a prosecutor, I have to get escorted back to my office if I have a weapon or a controlled substance. Then I have to call my afternoon witnesses and make sure they know when and where to be. I often have to meet a civilian and walk them to court. But again, I I have to wait for an escort. Then I have to do an A/V test on any recordings/video for the afternoon session. If I get less than 90 minutes for lunch, I’m not eating. I keep protein powder in my office for just that purpose. We do not have the staffing to have assistants or other people do any of that for us unless it is a homicide or there is a victim that got shot/stabbed.

Once court is done for the day at 4:30, I have to contact the next day’s witnesses, ready any exhibits, make sure I have coverage for any cases on the next day that I can’t attend, etc. when you’re on trial, your work day is typically 10+ hours. The “trial diet” is often joked about because you’re all over the place and no time to stop and eat.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I would love to serve on a criminal case, but probably never will my husband is a police officer, so I am shunned. LOL

That's me too. My dad is a retired deputy sheriff in our county. My uncle was chief of police in a nearby city. I've been called for jury duty and questioned many times. As soon as I start listing my family members in law enforcement, I get kicked out. Last time I was called, the case was about a paroled felon who led police on a chase. When they finally caught him, they found a gun in his car. The only witnesses were the officers who were involved in the chase. I knew immediately that I would be dismissed if I got called to the jury box. I sat all morning and listened to other people. Then they dismissed us for lunch. Then we came back and I was finally called up. I answered the law enforcement question and was immediately told by the prosecutor that I was dismissed. It took almost an entire day, but it was kind of interesting to sit there and listen to the proceedings.