nylene
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,717
Jun 28, 2014 14:59:59 GMT
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Post by nylene on Apr 6, 2022 1:46:11 GMT
I believe it is civic duty. I think not showing up is like not showing up to vote. You have no right to gripe about sentencings, etc. if you don't bother to show up, just as you have no right to complain about who is elected if you don't vote.
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Post by librarylady on Apr 6, 2022 1:52:21 GMT
I consider it a civic duty. If I get a summons, I go.
Where will we be if everyone refused to serve?
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Post by sierra821 on Apr 6, 2022 1:53:00 GMT
I feel it’s a civic duty, but you are done with your duty once you serve on a jury. My husband and I get summoned every few years and we both have served on a jury. It’s sucks here because you have to go downtown Detroit and pay for parking everyday that they do not validate or reimburse. It was interesting but I hope to never do that again.
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howjudiofyou
Junior Member
Posts: 80
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Jun 26, 2014 21:37:54 GMT
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Post by howjudiofyou on Apr 6, 2022 2:30:24 GMT
Civic duty.
I was chosen to be on the jury for a murder trial that was expected to last 6 weeks. This was back in March of 2020. We were 2 days into witness testimony when the judge declared a mistrial, due to the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Now I can not be called for 10 more years.
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Post by merry27 on Apr 6, 2022 2:36:19 GMT
Civic duty. I am almost 50 and have never even received a summons! I would like to be called at some point. DH has had to go in probably 5 times in the past 15 years. He served on a jury for a 2 day trial once and was dismissed the other times. Has anyone else never received a summons?
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Post by lisacharlotte on Apr 6, 2022 2:46:31 GMT
Civic Duty. I have been called once in my life for jury duty, in my 50s, and was selected. Trial was 6 days. I loved every bit if the process. If I could serve as a professional juror when I retire I’d be all over it.
DH seemed to get summoned at least one in every state we lived in. DS was summoned while he was deployed in Afghanistan, he was only 21. I was starting to wonder why I was never summoned. I’m sure it will never come up again.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,456
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Apr 6, 2022 2:54:02 GMT
Civic duty. The last time I was called I had to reschedule a vacation. But I served. And although it's boring it was interesting to see the process.
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Post by Skellinton on Apr 6, 2022 3:09:25 GMT
It is absolutely a civic duty, but I understand how terribly difficult it is for people. I have only been called once and was not selected. It was astonishing how few people showed up and how rude people were to the clerks trying to get out of it. This one guy kept going on and on to every single person he encountered how he had better places to be and more important things to do. He told the people checking ID, the people checking us in, the people who lined us up, the judge before we were even questioned, etc, etc. He was such an entitled ass I was hoping he would get picked, but of course no one wanted to select him.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,804
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Apr 6, 2022 3:41:59 GMT
I had to report last school year while teaching hybrid in person and online simultaneously along with online only once a week. Thankfully my report date/time was on the one remote day of the week and I was able to juggle my classes around to be able to go. I work an hour from the courthouse so I was able to do my classes remote from home and hustle to the court house. I got to the chambers and everyone who had no problem being on the trial was able to leave the room and the rest of us had to stand in front of the judge and explain why serving was a hardship. When I told him my teaching situation he pretty much said too bad and that it’s not a valid hardship but did defer me to summer. I let him know the first and last dates of summer break and he said I would be called in June. Never happened.
I’m a freaking math teacher and you’re going to put a sub in my room that probably can’t teach math. Great idea.
If it’s during a break, I don’t mind. Just please not during the school year!
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Marina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,509
Aug 12, 2014 23:32:21 GMT
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Post by Marina on Apr 6, 2022 5:37:33 GMT
I get called every year. For 21 years straight. Was called before that too, but it became yearly starting in 2001.
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Post by miominmio on Apr 6, 2022 6:31:05 GMT
The American system seems stressful. Here, you have to volunteer to be on a list, and then you will probably serve every two or three years (once a year for «tingretten», but those trials normally take a day or two). You do get paid when you serve if your employer doesn’t pay your salary when you’re on duty, and travel expenses are covered.
And we don’t have a jury system here anymore, when you are called, you serve as one of the judges (at the lower level courts, there are one professional judge (dommer) and two lay persons (meddommer), on the second level, there are 2 professional ones and 5 from the list, and for a conviction you need 5 votes. It is not a case of the «meddommere» doing what the «dommer» tell them (although I guess some «meddommere» will vote the same as the «dommer» because they feel that they know better, but we’re supposed to come to our own conclusion)).
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moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,255
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Apr 6, 2022 6:42:39 GMT
I’ve been called a few times, but not in the last fifteen years or so. Twice I had to go in but the cases all settled or jury was selected before they got to me and I was out within a couple hours.
My husband was called once while we were married, and ended up on a jury; the case was done in a day but he found it very interesting.
I would never ignore a summons and would not, in general, have a problem with serving on a jury. I do think there are legitimate reasons for people to not serve or to get a deferment.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Apr 6, 2022 8:33:07 GMT
I’ve never been called, and I’d like to do it. The only thing I couldn’t do is decide on a capital murder case, as I couldn’t vote for a death sentence.
I think it’s important for people who can reason and have intellectual curiosity to fill the ranks of jurors.
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Post by christine58 on Apr 6, 2022 10:47:52 GMT
I’ve been summoned a couple of times but never had to go because both cases were settled before the jury selection started. However I was called for grand jury which met once a week and that was interesting. We also had to call I think the Friday before because sometimes there weren’t cases for us.
Now that I’m retired I would love to do it. I have always been fascinated with the law
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,791
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Apr 6, 2022 11:15:17 GMT
Massachusetts has summoned me every three years since I was 18. I've gone to every courthouse in two counties, and never served. They always dismiss me after questioning. No idea why -- I'd love to serve on a jury.
Totally civic duty. I don't get paid if I serve (I'm self-employed) but I can afford to miss the hours and my clients have always been understanding about it.
Here, you have an option to defer to a later time or change courthouses within the county. Once you are summoned, they don't call you for another three years.
It's always been a pleasant, but boring experience. The jury rooms are generally comfortable and the court officers very friendly. They always make sure we know how grateful they are they we show up.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Apr 6, 2022 13:08:44 GMT
I think jury duty is a civic duty, and I show up for it- unless there is truly some reason (work related, other genuine hardship) that I can't. I've been through the selection process a couple times- and was on a jury once. I went thru the grand jury selection process, and was genuinely disappointed not to be selected... it would have been very interesting to be on that one (it was one day a week for 3 months, I think).
The one jury I was on, we ended up deadlocked with a hung jury- there truly wasn't enough evidence for guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but there was that one person who would not change their mind from 'guilty', so it ended up a mistrial. I think it is important that we all participate in these things, and that it really should be a 'jury of your peers' for any trial.
eta: I think everyone who can serve really SHOULD serve, if only to see in person how easy it could be for our individual rights to be taken away if we DON'T participate. And to serve honestly, and even-handedly. The jury I served on was one person's (a policeman) word against the defendant- and that is just not enough to convict someone, in my opinion. Citizen jurys stand as a guard against people in authority acting in bad faith without repercussion. (I'll get down off my soapbox now, lol)
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,623
Oct 11, 2014 3:17:29 GMT
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Post by bethany102399 on Apr 6, 2022 13:32:53 GMT
It's a civic duty, but one that both times it has hit our family it was a hardship, yet we both appeared.
I was not chosen, it was a molestation case the guy was up for parole. The judge said look if you need to speak privately about why you can't be impartial it's fine, just let me know. We then went down the line saying if we could be impartial or not. The woman next to me stood up, started speaking, then completely broke down and started sobbing. I was already nervous having never been to jury selection before, that just about pushed me over the edge. I'm sure my voice squeaked when I was asked to speak.
I clearly remember the Judge being like I don't care that this is a hardship, it's your civic duty. Sorry, but that excuse doesn't fly when you've got bills to pay. We had 2 young kids at the time and neither of our jobs was willing to pay us for missed work. Even a missed day could upset the apple cart of our financial situation for us.
Dh got called and wound up being selected. His work refused to cover his pay and he had to take almost a week unpaid, for the parties to reach a plea deal on like day 4. I was so pissed at the time.
I don't understand how people can be expected to report for weeks at a time when often employers won't cover them. I'm sorry I can't disappear from my life for 6 weeks to serve, I have bills to pay and need to have the means to pay them.
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Post by Susie_Homemaker on Apr 6, 2022 13:54:20 GMT
I'm currently on a grand jury. We will meet once a month from March-Sept and will be there for about 4 hours each time. It's a lot but I don't mind. I feel it's a civic duty and I'd never ignore a summons. Years ago I was called and they sent officers out to collect the people who had not shown up for the summons. I'd much rather be on a grand jury than a trial jury I think.
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Post by Skellinton on Apr 6, 2022 13:59:12 GMT
It's a civic duty, but one that both times it has hit our family it was a hardship, yet we both appeared. I was not chosen, it was a molestation case the guy was up for parole. The judge said look if you need to speak privately about why you can't be impartial it's fine, just let me know. We then went down the line saying if we could be impartial or not. The woman next to me stood up, started speaking, then completely broke down and started sobbing. I was already nervous having never been to jury selection before, that just about pushed me over the edge. I'm sure my voice squeaked when I was asked to speak. I clearly remember the Judge being like I don't care that this is a hardship, it's your civic duty. Sorry, but that excuse doesn't fly when you've got bills to pay. We had 2 young kids at the time and neither of our jobs was willing to pay us for missed work. Even a missed day could upset the apple cart of our financial situation for us. Dh got called and wound up being selected. His work refused to cover his pay and he had to take almost a week unpaid, for the parties to reach a plea deal on like day 4. I was so pissed at the time. I don't understand how people can be expected to report for weeks at a time when often employers won't cover them. I'm sorry I can't disappear from my life for 6 weeks to serve, I have bills to pay and need to have the means to pay them. I agree about the pay. There were times in our lives losing a day of pay would have sent us into a panic. Losing a week would have meant not being able to pay the mortgage or other necessary bills for the month. There needs to be something to help people out that are in that situation. I don’t get enough PTO to cover the mandatory times my program is closed (spring break, winter break, 2 or 3 weeks during summer) let alone sick time or jury time. I think employers should have to pay for your time off and if it is a hardship for the company they should have some help from the government. Amazon, Starbucks, Nike etc can cover it themselves, but small companies (actual small companies, not the sports ones that got the covid loans even though they are multi million dollar businesses) should get help from the government.
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899
Jun 26, 2014 22:49:09 GMT
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Post by tracylynn on Apr 6, 2022 15:32:52 GMT
Thanks for replying everyone! I have lots to say, but am still in pool so can't talk about it till after. I'll update when I can. It was interesting hearing everyone's stories though.
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Post by scrapmaven on Apr 6, 2022 15:36:09 GMT
I just wish there was a better system to get out of it permanently. my child has autism and every time she gets a notice, I have to arrange to get a note from her doctor to excuse her from it. its a pain to do it. I went once and after a hour wait, the clerks went on strike and I had to go home. paid for all day parking and out of there in an hour. I'm permanently excused. I had to get a note from my doctor that was sent to the proper agency. You might want to investigate a bit further.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,366
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Apr 6, 2022 16:23:00 GMT
I consider it a civic duty. Both dh and I have been summoned and have had to report many times over the last few decades. In one instance, I was called when my baby was just a few weeks old. I deferred, but was called again when she was 9 months old. I was still nursing, but I went just to get it over with. They apparently wanted me badly. I have served on a Federal jury for a weeklong trial (that's the one where I was still nursing-- my children put in some very long days in daycare at that time). Just this past August I spent the day down at Cook County Criminal Court, though my number was never called. Dh has also served on a jury. In February, he was summoned yet again but was told he didn't need to appear when he called the phone number the night before. Now he just received another summons, for April.
I've appreciated the opportunity to see the justice system in action. I just wish I wasn't summoned so often. It is a hassle to make alternate plans for work, childcare, and transportation. I read of others my age who have never been summoned and it honestly just doesn't seem fair. It is time for others to have a turn.
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pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,147
Aug 14, 2015 21:47:17 GMT
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Post by pilcas on Apr 6, 2022 17:41:39 GMT
I have always gone when called which was usually every 4 years. My job paid me so It was a change of pace and I didn’t mind. I brought a book and kept myself entertained. Once I was an alternate juror but was dismissed when it came to deliberation since no substitute was needed.
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pyccku
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,817
Jun 27, 2014 23:12:07 GMT
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Post by pyccku on Apr 6, 2022 18:04:08 GMT
Civic duty. It's a pain, but I always go - and I get called regularly. Last summer I was called in June for US federal court. Then in August I was called for AZ superior court. I had to appear for the US one (but was released as they had their jurors empaneled before they got to my #) and August I didn't have to show up at all.
I look at it this way - if you don't show up, who will? Retired people, people who LOVE the idea of sending someone away forever, people who live to see "justice" done. Everyone should get a fair trial, but if the jury is always made up of the type of people who relish the idea of serving on a jury, it's not really going to be fair.
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Apr 6, 2022 18:32:55 GMT
I always show. My partner is first responder, so he never has to go, but he always tells me that I don't have to go. I can claim I didn't get it. There's no proof it was ever delivered.
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Post by maryland on Apr 6, 2022 18:44:48 GMT
I got a summons about 3 yrs. ago and the day before they settled the case. So they said they could summons me again in 18 months. The did it exactly 18 months later. I was not happy because I worried I wouldn't be able to pick up my college daughter for her winter break as she was 5 hrs. away. Even though one of my law school professors said we would never get picked for jury duty, I got picked. I ended up loving it! The other jurors were wonderful and we actually worked well together. We were there from 8 am until 10 pm but it was only one day. The worst part for me is that it was an hour away, and with the cost of gas and lunch, it cost me money. They joked that we should be happy because we were getting paid $9! The other part I didn't like was I had to ride in an elevator and I am terrified of elevators! They can call us again after 3 yrs., and I worry about having to serve now. My German Shepherd is fully disabled in the back and incontinent and I am her caretaker. I can't be away from her and I can't have anyone watch her because it is too much to ask of anyone. So I don't know what I would do if I got called. This would not be considered an "excuse" in our area.
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Post by maryland on Apr 6, 2022 18:47:34 GMT
I would never ignore; too much of a rule follower plus too scared of being arrested. I was first called in my mid-thirties and served on a murder trial which lasted 2 weeks and even was sequestered (and it even happened to be my first wedding anniversary!) The final day when we reached our verdict was scary; never seen so many police in one room. We were all escorted to our homes and given special codes and telephone numbers if we had any issues. Next summons was 20 years later and was a call-in only; my number never got chosen. Wow, that sounds very inconvenient but interesting!
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 7, 2022 0:16:03 GMT
I've never made it past the first letter besides a federal summons and that one truly would not work. I'd love to have the experience just once, but not a murder trial.
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Post by melanell on Apr 7, 2022 17:41:55 GMT
Both? I think it's only fair that citizens share jury duty, if they are capable of doing so. That being said, I think I'd be a terrible juror. So I'm both civic duty and heck no all at once.
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Post by melanell on Apr 7, 2022 17:50:33 GMT
I think the current way they do things is ridiculous. You get the summons, you drop all of your plans, inform your employer that they can't count on you for gosh knows how long, and then after you do all of that, they get to wait until the night before to say "yeah, we don't need you". Well too late for everything I just rescheduled, so Thanks?
And if you ask them to delay, they say you'll be called again in X amount of time, but you never are. It's always ages later and totally random, and probably at a bad time---again.
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