tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899
Jun 26, 2014 22:49:09 GMT
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Post by tracylynn on Apr 5, 2022 21:32:53 GMT
UpdateSo, I was wrong, 74 people showed up out of the 450 called. Also, I was shocked to be called in because I had looked at the Judicial calendar previously and saw that 3 of the 4 Judges were on vacation this week (Spring Break). And I knew the 4th judge was just starting a 6 week trial because my co-worker had been called the previous week and was currently going through jury selection for that trial. Before I update, let me be clear, I was dismissed Thursday evening! When the Judge came in the first alarming thing he said was when he was talking about Covid safety and due to the length of this trial we need to be extra cautious, but don't worry, you will not be sequestered!!!!!!!!!! The trial was set to be 6 weeks long. Wait? What? Another 6 week trial, that didn't make any sense. Three judges are out, and there's another 6 week trial going on right now. In our County, 2 of these types of trials at the same time would be really out of the ordinary. I assumed pretty quickly that they swore my group in to make sure that they had enough jurors in pool to seat for the trial that was already seating jurors from the previous week. I found out later, that was exactly what they were doing. When he read the name of the Defendant and the charges, I was both mortified and relieved. Mortified because it had to do with prolonged child abuse and murder of a 3 year old little girl, and relieved because I follow the local news daily for years and knew all about the case. I figured that right there would eventually get me excused. Because frankly, if even 20% of what the local news reported was accurate, there was no way I could give that woman (yes! woman!) the benefit of the doubt. And I'm not sure my heart could take a 6 week trial about hearing the brutality that this poor little girl endured in her short little life. So, (this was Tuesday) we were handed out a 25 page questionnaire to fill out and turn in. We had to call in Wednesday night but didn't have to report Thursday. This was when it was confirmed I had to be right about the double jury pools. Because the other group had been at the courthouse on Wednesday and had to report again on Thursday. I had to called on Thursday night. But before I called that night, I knew I was done. Word spread pretty fast at work when we found out my co-worker had been seated on the jury. That was around 3:30 and you don't call in until 5:00. Because she knew I was in the other pool she told her manager that they had filled all spots out of her pool (12 + 4 alternates). And sure enough, our pool never had to go back in, we were excused that night. I was honestly thankful. I was not sleeping well at night thinking about having to sit on a jury like this. I've become somewhat disenchanted with the process. The Courts complete disregard of potential jurors outside life is ridiculous. I had talked to my co-worker on Monday (before I knew I was going to be in the same process). We didn't talk about the case at all, but she made some interesting comments about jury selection process and reasons that weren't good enough for the Judge. Examples: A man and his wife had planned a year ago a vacation that was 100% paid for and non refundable. It was thousands of dollars and apparently the Defense attorney asked "And that's a lot of money for you?". Apparently there was audible gasp in the courtroom. How out of tune with middle to lower class America do you have to be to ask a question like that? Another man, who was elderly, and his wife were the sole caretakers of the wifes brother who was unable to care for himself at all. He told the Judge that his wife can't do it alone because the brother is too big for her to handle and they have no one else to help. The Judge wouldn't dismiss because of that (he was later dismissed apparently, but not because of that). I just don't understand the lack of compassion for certain situations. Anyway, that was my experience. For myself, I wouldn't mind being on a jury at all. I think the process could be fascinating. But being on this trial, and for 6 weeks wasn't not what I had in mind. We'll see what happens next time. That's the first time in the 12 years that I've lived in this County that I've been called. So fingers crossed it doesn't happen any time soon. Original PostSo, as I sit here, literally doing nothing while I could be working, waiting to go through jury selection process, I wonder some things. I've never gotten to a jury selection process before. And while I actually wouldn't mind going through the process, right now is not a good time at work. But I know they don't care about that. I've had a couple of people say that they just throw the summons away when they get it in the mail. Move on and forget about it. I always thought a bench warrant was issued if you ignored it, but found out recently that this is not true. In Washington State there is no penalty for ignoring a summons. Of the 450 people who were called today, I'd say about 100 showed up. So, what say you? Always show up, or toss the summoning forget about it?
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paget
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,039
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Apr 5, 2022 21:38:29 GMT
I’m in WA and I had no idea there was no penalty for not responding. I feel like dh and I would often get summoned years ago when we just could not do it. We were self employed with three little kids and if one is us were there we wouldn’t be making money let alone needing someone to care for the kids. It would have been a great financial hardship- especially if it were to last more than a couple days.
Fast forward to the last 8 years where the kids are grown and now I have a job would that pay me to go - and nope. Oh, once I got a summons but I called in and they didn’t need me.
I think it’s a civic duty IF you have the luxury of just being “inconvenienced” compared to it would be very hard to impossible. They should pay people (a reasonable amount) or have a new pool system that people can volunteer for or something. I’d volunteer now - even though I don’t really want to do it, I know my circumstances would be much easier for me than some others (like years ago me).
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,922
Nov 14, 2016 23:47:03 GMT
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Post by pinklady on Apr 5, 2022 21:42:15 GMT
Unless the summons is sent with signature required and you signed for it, they cannot prove you received it. Informed Delivery via USPS is not proof because it can be delivered to the wrong address.
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Post by busy on Apr 5, 2022 21:43:46 GMT
I think it's a civic duty and it's shitty for people to try to avoid it. I was recently called, it was a crappy time at work for it to happen, but it's never a good time for anyone. I showed up and did not try to get out of it.
The people who showed up and tried to get out of it in person were the professionals - people who were far more likely to be paid by their company for their jury duty time, whose jobs are much less likely to be at risk for serving, who are more likely to be able to absorb any loss of income if their employer doesn't pay for the time, who are more likely to have their own transportation. It was kind of embarrassing to listen to most of them, to be honest. Most of the jury ended up being service workers, retail employees, and retirees.
If you (general you) won't serve, who will? Our justice system relies on juries. If you won't participate, how can it work (and I'm not saying it works marvelously at dispensing justice right now, but it could be even worse).
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 5, 2022 21:46:22 GMT
The last two times I got a summons for jury duty, I got off the hook because I was the primary caregiver for my young child. DH is self employed and if he doesn’t work we have no money coming in, so having him stay home to look after our kid so I could go do that wasn’t an option. If I got called up for it now I wouldn’t be able to use that excuse. I’d probably try to find some other way of getting out of it. My mom served on a few different juries over the years, the last time they called her up she got out of it because she had Alzheimer’s.
ETA: With my extended family’s colorful past, I doubt very much anyone would want me on their jury anyway. I wouldn’t be able to be very impartial in many cases.
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iluvpink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,370
Location: Michigan
Jul 13, 2014 12:40:31 GMT
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Post by iluvpink on Apr 5, 2022 21:46:45 GMT
I'm in MI and I've never served (been called a couple of times, reported once and not picked, didn't have to report the other time).
Civic duty yes. Inconvenient, also yes for most. I would never ever ignore a summons. Even if it's not illegal (no clue in our state), it wouldn't feel right.
I had a coworker ignore a summons for federal jury duty. When she told us that we all gasped. I'm not sure whatever happened (that was years ago).
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,891
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Apr 5, 2022 21:48:53 GMT
I say "civic duty" and go by the rules: when I didn't have childcare I would petition to go later. Haven't been summoned in awhile.
The only people I've ever known who were actually summoned were my husband when we lived in Chicago and my dd#3 a few years ago. Both had them show up for a few days and then they settled.
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Post by MichyM on Apr 5, 2022 21:49:03 GMT
I have never not responded. It never occured to me not to. I had about a 15 year period of time in my late 20's and into my 40's (you know those crazy years when you're super busy at work, have a young family, etc) where I was summoned probably 5-6 times. Why? I have no idea. Meanwhile I knew many people who had never been called.
I was called last year when court was being held online. I was totally in for it. I mean how easy can that be to not even have to go DT and deal with all that entails (and those in the Seattle area know what I'm talking about in the area around the courthouse). But, I didn't get selected. Oh well.
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Post by papersilly on Apr 5, 2022 21:49:19 GMT
i hate going but i've never not shown up. i thought you could have a bench warrant issued if you didn't show up?
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Post by sabrinae on Apr 5, 2022 21:50:51 GMT
As an attorney who relies on citizens showing up for jury duty. Please appear. We know you don’t want to be there. We know it an inconvenience. We know it a hardship. But it’s also a civic duty. If your not willing to show up and serve the justice system of this country can not work. An actual trial is the last stop in the system, the vast majority of cases settle before trial, more than 90% of them. If you want this country to have a functional justice system we need people to show up and serve. Most places have a call in system in place to try to make it less onerous.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,381
Location: PNW
Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Apr 5, 2022 21:51:01 GMT
It's an eye opening process... Annoying but interesting. I get called every 18-24 months like clockwork or so but have only had to go in twice (and was picked for a jury both times.)
I would not want to be on a list somewhere (karma) for ignoring my summons but I'm a rule follower...
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Post by myshelly on Apr 5, 2022 21:51:16 GMT
I think it’s a civic duty.
In many states you can and will be fined or held in contempt and consequences can be different for federal jury duty as opposed to state.
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Post by katiescarlett on Apr 5, 2022 21:52:53 GMT
I also think it's a civic duty. I work as a paralegal at a law firm. We are currently in trial for going into a third week and I understand that some people could lose their jobs or not have enough money to pay rent for missing that much work. So while I do believe their are valid reasons for some people, I think those that can serve should.
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Post by MichyM on Apr 5, 2022 21:53:09 GMT
I’m in WA and I had no idea there was no penalty for not responding. I feel like dh and I would often get summoned years ago when we just could not do it. We were self employed with three little kids and if one is us were there we wouldn’t be making money let alone needing someone to care for the kids. It would have been a great financial hardship- especially if it were to last more than a couple days. Fast forward to the last 8 years where the kids are grown and now I have a job would that pay me to go - and nope. Oh, once I got a summons but I called in and they didn’t need me. I think it’s a civic duty IF you have the luxury of just being “inconvenienced” compared to it would be very hard to impossible. They should pay people (a reasonable amount) or have a new pool system that people can volunteer for or something. I’d volunteer now - even though I don’t really want to do it, I know my circumstances would be much easier for me than some others (like years ago me). I should have scrolled down before responding. It is so much easier/less inconvenient to be called in our age range (I think you're about 8-10 years younger than me)...and like you I'm much happy to serve now than I was in the past.
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Post by MichyM on Apr 5, 2022 21:55:53 GMT
It's an eye opening process... Annoying but interesting. I get called every 18-24 months like clockwork or so but have only had to go in twice (and was picked for a jury both times.) I would not want to be on a list somewhere (karma) for ignoring my summons but I'm a rule follower... In my county (King in WA State) once you've been called and show up, you cannot be called again for 3 years. Found this out after being summoned last year.
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Post by katlady on Apr 5, 2022 21:55:58 GMT
San Diego County also does not penalize you if you don’t report. But the county makes it easy for you to defer your service or even change the courthouse you report to (we have 3 courthouses). Employees from my company seem to get called like clockwork, every two years. I know it is a civic duty, but I don’t enjoy it. I always go when called, but I’ve never made it past day 1 (if not called to a panel on first day, you are dismissed).
ETA - During the pandemic, they went to call-in. I had to call in for 10 days. I don’t know if they went back to the old way or not.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 7:18:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2022 21:55:59 GMT
The only time I got a summons was when I was living in OK. It was sent to my parents' home in Michigan. I had to send them proof that ex was stationed in OK. I haven't been called since.
My cousin has been summoned several times. She was dismissed every time because she is a social worker. Potentially too biased against the defendant?
I consider it to be a civic duty. If I get summoned, I'll go. DH would go. He'd complain but he'd go. (he hates leaving the house)
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Post by ~summer~ on Apr 5, 2022 21:56:05 GMT
Civic duty.
I was called to serve a few years ago - it was a bad time bc it was during a team meeting and my whole team was flying out for it.
Our judge was super strict - he did not take any excuses to get out of it - the only reasons he said were if you already had plane tickets booked, or by being there you would not be able to pay your bills - and you had to show proof.
I ended up being selected - it was a DUI and trial lasted about a week. I ended up being the foreman (is that the term? I forget) and it was not a bad experience.
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Post by monklady123 on Apr 5, 2022 21:56:34 GMT
I guess it is our civic duty. However, I will confess that I was very happy I didn't have to do it! I've never been called for jury duty ever, not once, and I've been registered to vote since I turned 18 -- until last year at the height of the pandemic before vaccines. I emailed to the address on the summons and said I wasn't planning to come in because I wasn't risking myself and my family. They replied back with a deferment until this past September. My second summons showed up right on time, gave me a particular date (a Monday) and told me to check online after 5:00 on Friday. Friday at around 3:00 I got an email saying I was excused and that took care of my obligation until the next time (three years? not sure...) Lol. I was happy.
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Post by Lexica on Apr 5, 2022 21:56:54 GMT
I have always shown up. I can't imagine just tossing the summons. There was one time that I received a summons a few months after having just been called in. I did send proof of recent duty, which was a legitimate excuse to get out of it. And now that I think about it, I have never been called again since that one time of sending my proof in. That was about 20 years ago. Prior to that, I was called every year. I never made it as far as being on an actual jury. I never even got to the stage of being questioned by the attorneys. The panel was always filled before they got to me. I would love to actually sit through a trial and be part of the jury. During my experiences of being in the large pool, I saw so many people give excuses as to why they couldn't serve, most of which were denied. I kept thinking that I would happily take their place. Judges do not like excuses though!
I trained to be a court reporter and part of the final stages was the requirement of putting in a specified amount of apprentice hours in a courtroom with a working reporter. There was one time that a jury member did not show up. They were mid-trial and she hadn't called in at all. The judge had his assistant track her down. She reported back to the judge that the woman was in the hospital. He went as far as to speak with her doctor to verify that she was actually admitted and to find out how long the woman was going to be in there. They had two alternates available, but he wasn't happy about the missing juror. I shudder to think what would have happened to her if she had been faking.
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Post by jennifercw on Apr 5, 2022 21:57:05 GMT
I've only been called once for jury duty. I was breast-feeding my newborn at the time so went through the process to request a deferral, which was granted. I certainly would never think to ignore a summons!
At some point I'm sure another summons will come. Luckily I'm now at a stage of life when it won't be a hardship or major inconvenience.
ETA - I do think it is a civic duty.
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Post by cmpeter on Apr 5, 2022 22:02:25 GMT
Civic duty and I have found it very interesting the two times I've served. I haven't been called in over a decade though. DH has never served on a jury and would really like to.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,276
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
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Post by iowgirl on Apr 5, 2022 22:02:33 GMT
I've had a couple of people say that they just throw the summons away when they get it in the mail. Move on and forget about it. Yea - not here. Iowa. They will hound you until you respond. I have served twice, and been called a couple times. Have received notification a couple times that I was not called in for. I believe that you should serve. Just think about it - if you had to have a jury trial, who do you want on the jury? Do I ever want to do it again. No. It is almost impossible for me to have a day away now also. I have livestock that require chores AM and PM. The last time I told them this, and they balked. I said fine - if I am selected I will come to the best of my ability, but if I have a cow calving, I won't be there. Send a deputy, I could use the help. Excused. LOL I know everyone here. From the County Attorney to the deputies. So it is uncomfortable to not at least try to be civil and decent about it.
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Post by Patter on Apr 5, 2022 22:02:55 GMT
I have served as madame foreperson for a felony in criminal court. Another time I was called to appear, all of the cases settled. I have always thought it is our civic duty. I looked it up for my state, and it says:
"A jury summons is an official court summons. The court could hold you in contempt and / or impose a $50 fine for each time you fail to appear."
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,543
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Jul 4, 2014 21:35:44 GMT
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Post by MorningPerson on Apr 5, 2022 22:02:59 GMT
Civic duty for sure. I’ve been summoned just 3 times in my life, and was picked for one trial. I learned so much and it was very interesting. I’d gladly serve again.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 7:18:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2022 22:05:37 GMT
I absolutely hate it. Get called every other year like clockwork. Don't believe it's all that random when everyone in my household gets called every other year, often within weeks of each other. That said, I do serve and have served on two trials, but again I absolutely hate it (no easy way to get to the criminal courthouse and parking nearby is not an option). I strongly believe there should be a limit as to how many times a person has to serve on an actual jury.
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Post by ~summer~ on Apr 5, 2022 22:07:22 GMT
Civic duty and I have found it very interesting the two times I've served. I haven't been called in over a decade though. DH has never served on a jury and would really like to. my mom has been called for TWO murder trials - one very high profile. It also featured a well known prosecutor and a judge whom she was super impressed with. She found it heartbreaking but she still talks about it and was a huge learning experience for her.
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Post by workingclassdog on Apr 5, 2022 22:10:22 GMT
I would never toss a jury summons..I am WAY to much of a rule follower... And I am not going to prison (even know I am in prison ) Edited to add: I get called almost every two years, but usually my 'number' is not up. One or two times I had to sit in the main room and still didn't get called. DH is the same way.. every two years. He was just granted an extension because of his job and driving over the road. So who knows if he will get called again to show up. This was the first time he asked for the extension. If I ever got selected.. they would probably dismiss me pretty fast. I don't think my job would look good to them.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,381
Location: PNW
Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Apr 5, 2022 22:11:03 GMT
It's an eye opening process... Annoying but interesting. I get called every 18-24 months like clockwork or so but have only had to go in twice (and was picked for a jury both times.) I would not want to be on a list somewhere (karma) for ignoring my summons but I'm a rule follower... In my county (King in WA State) once you've been called and show up, you cannot be called again for 3 years. Found this out after being summoned last year. Yes, I had to look that up after I was summoned in fall of 2019 and again last June (2021.) Because I didn't have to report in in November the wait time between summonses was only 18 months. Now that I actually served on a jury I'm off the hook until late 2024, knock on wood.
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Post by greendragonlady on Apr 5, 2022 22:14:45 GMT
I've never been called and I'm over 50. I would go if I were.
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