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Post by papersilly on Nov 29, 2017 18:11:28 GMT
i just had jury duty last week. i went in on monday. 35 of us were called in for a domestic violence trial that was supposed to last 5 days. they had trouble seating a jury. some people were excused for financial hardship, some because they could not be impartial, some were excused by the D.A. or defense attorney. by 4 pm, there were 4 people in the gallery---me and 3 others. i was called up to sit in chair #11. the judge asked me if i understood the law. i said yes. he asked me if i could be impartial to both sides. i said no. i told him that all i would be able to think about is the victim----her fear, her shame. the minute i said that, i was excused by the judge.
i think that is why it was hard to seat a jury for that trial. many people, including me, had a visceral reaction once we heard that it was a domestic violence trial. we heard that there would be witnesses, a doctor testifying and graphic pictures of major bodily injury. it would have been impossible for me not to think the defendant was guilty from the get go. and the way the defense attorney was questioning perspective jurors, we could already tell that he was going to paint the victim as being responsible for the defendant beating her in front of her kids. good luck with that buddy.
as far as dress code, people wore jeans. most were business casual. no t-shirts with graphic messages. no flip flops.
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Deleted
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May 18, 2024 3:44:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2017 18:15:21 GMT
I would dress in layers... You never know what the temp in the room might be... 😊
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Post by debmast on Nov 29, 2017 18:16:44 GMT
I've gone a few times. Dressed business casual (but here you see everything). Never been picked & sent home by noon.
About a year ago hubby showed up for jury duty. Got picked for a murder trial. Trial started as soon as they picked the jury.
He served for 5 or 6 days.
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Post by maryland on Nov 29, 2017 19:07:59 GMT
How long did you have to serve? The only negative for me if I get picked, is I may not be able to pick up my college daughter when her finals are over . She is in college 5 hrs. away, and my husband has a sprained ankle and isn't able to drive (right foot). She is in an apt., so she can stay (and she probably wants to stay!). The thing I am most nervous about is getting lost and not being able to find parking. I have no sense of direction! I plan to leave 2 hrs. early just to allow extra time for traffic and parking. Hopefully there is a McDonald's around an I can get something to eat and read a book until the courthouse opens. The civil case was over ten years ago, so my memory is fuzzy. I think the trail spanned 4-5 days? But it was not all day and it might not even have been every day. It was before my daughter was born and my work paid for my time at jury duty - so I had not complications at all. The grand jury session was two years ago and it was six weeks (normal session is 8 weeks, but we were the last term of the year and also the holidays, so it was shortened). That was every Tuesday and Thursday for six weeks (usually just half a day). It's a bigger commitment and just not possible for many people (many people excused themselves), but it was doable for me with work. The most common reaction to jury duty is moans and groans, but I thought it was a good experience to serve (although I should give the caveat that I didn't have to sit through a really difficult case, like something horrible involving a child. The civil case was medical malpractice and the grand jury was a big variety of cases). If somebody doesn't have an extenuating circumstance - like lost income from work - then I always encourage people to serve. The integrity of our system relies on good people serving and it can actually be pretty interesting to serve. Sounds like you have a good plan for leaving enough time for traffic and parking (parking is the biggest complaint people have here - they finally started comping for parking). I'm sure there will be some place nearby you can read if you have extra time (I always have a book with me too ). Medical malpractice would be interesting because I took many "related" courses in law school, and my daughter is a freshman nursing student, so we have many health related discussions. My county is outside the big city county in my state, so a bit more "laid back".
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Post by maryland on Nov 29, 2017 19:15:13 GMT
Clothing suggestions/requirements & prohibited items should be specified on the notice. Dress comfortably (especially shoes, if you must walk far to/from parking &/or restaurants), & be prepared to answer numerous questions not just about yourself, but your spouse, children, parents, neighborhood, etc. The spacious two story jury suite here is relatively luxurious with several zones, including private cubicles/conference rooms, billiards/gameroom, movie room with popcorn, concessions, outdoor space, etc. I understand accommodations are generic waiting areas with a vending machine in other places. Be certain to bring your phone charger, a book, crossword puzzles, etc. to occupy your downtime. Best wishes, & hope it's a positive experience... I think I would enjoy it in your area with that jury suite! I love talking about my family, so I would be the one who would not mind the questions! The attire part of the summons just said "appropriate in keeping with courtroom decorum".
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 29, 2017 19:17:18 GMT
I had jury duty last year - I would say that more than half the people there were wearing jeans. Nobody was sent home to change. Holy crap, I had no idea jeans were not acceptable. I was wearing them both times I was chosen to go back into the courtroom. I will say that I was also the first one tossed out both times (for non jean issues).
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Post by maryland on Nov 29, 2017 19:18:58 GMT
i just had jury duty last week. i went in on monday. 35 of us were called in for a domestic violence trial that was supposed to last 5 days. they had trouble seating a jury. some people were excused for financial hardship, some because they could not be impartial, some were excused by the D.A. or defense attorney. by 4 pm, there were 4 people in the gallery---me and 3 others. i was called up to sit in chair #11. the judge asked me if i understood the law. i said yes. he asked me if i could be impartial to both sides. i said no. i told him that all i would be able to think about is the victim----her fear, her shame. the minute i said that, i was excused by the judge. i think that is why it was hard to seat a jury for that trial. many people, including me, had a visceral reaction once we heard that it was a domestic violence trial. we heard that there would be witnesses, a doctor testifying and graphic pictures of major bodily injury. it would have been impossible for me not to think the defendant was guilty from the get go. and the way the defense attorney was questioning perspective jurors, we could already tell that he was going to paint the victim as being responsible for the defendant beating her in front of her kids. good luck with that buddy. as far as dress code, people wore jeans. most were business casual. no t-shirts with graphic messages. no flip flops. That would be hard! I bet it is so hard to pick a jury in many types of cases. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Post by burningfeather on Nov 29, 2017 19:26:06 GMT
Expect to sit and wait a LOT. I wouldn't worry too much about clothing, I remember several people in jeans when I served a few years ago. I'm shocked at the idea that people are sent home to change out of jeans - it's insane that the state can require a "uniform" for compulsory service - if that is the case, they should include gift certificates for clothing along with the jury summons. I'm shocked too. I haven't served since I have lived in Texas, but jeans are considered appropriate wear for everything here. I would be 152% shocked if a Court didn't allow it. I wouldn't wear tattered jeans or cut off shorts or a wife beater tank top, but nice jeans and a cute top or sweater or shirt for a guy would surely be acceptable. I mean, if they are asking people to be away from their work and families, pay daycare in some cases, pay for parking, and disrupt their lives to serve on a jury for something like $10 a day, then you would think they could cut some slack on the dress code.
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Post by utmr on Nov 29, 2017 19:29:50 GMT
I am a jury duty magnet and have lost count of how many times I have been called.
As others have said, something clean and neat is fine. Most people wear "work" clothes - ranging from work boots, jeans and a company shirt, to Dockers and golf shirts. Don't wear a tank top, or something with a picture, or shorts and you would be fine here.
Wear layers and bring a book or something to occupy yourself. Our jury rooms are cold and have spotty WiFi.
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Post by maryland on Nov 29, 2017 19:31:40 GMT
Expect to sit and wait a LOT. I wouldn't worry too much about clothing, I remember several people in jeans when I served a few years ago. I'm shocked at the idea that people are sent home to change out of jeans - it's insane that the state can require a "uniform" for compulsory service - if that is the case, they should include gift certificates for clothing along with the jury summons. I'm shocked too. I haven't served since I have lived in Texas, but jeans are considered appropriate wear for everything here. I would be 152% shocked if a Court didn't allow it. I wouldn't wear tattered jeans or cut off shorts or a wife beater tank top, but nice jeans and a cute top or sweater or shirt for a guy would surely be acceptable. I mean, if they are asking people to be away from their work and families, pay daycare in some cases, pay for parking, and disrupt their lives to serve on a jury for something like $10 a day, then you would think they could cut some slack on the dress code. It's $9 a day for us! I told my kids we would really be able to go crazy on the Christmas gifts if they pick me! Although gas for the round trip would probably take up most of that money. I did get a parking pass!
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Post by Zee on Nov 29, 2017 19:32:20 GMT
It would never have even crossed my mind that you couldn't wear jeans. Where I used to live they'd be lucky to get people not wearing pajama bottoms.
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Post by darkangel090260 on Nov 29, 2017 19:42:17 GMT
Last time I was called I dressed kinda like I was homeless. I kinda new what case we where getting called for and I could not afford to be on the jury for as long as the case was going to take. They sent me home.
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