Jury Duty

[Jetgirl8]

I have been called twice in 2 years. Officially, you can only duck out if called repeatedly within the same year, but until I lived here I never received a summons at all. It actually seems that the number of folks in my office who receive a jury summons is way above normal - one gent has been called 3 times in 9 years (I seem to be on track to beat that). First time I was called, I was happy to perform my civic duty. The timing of this most recent notice could not have been worse, so I've postponed until August, but based on the experience the first time around I'm just hoping it's not too much a waste of my time.

Just curious about other's experiences. Is this really that outside the norm?

When the future's architectured
By a carnival of idiots on show
You'd better lie low

 

[jmadd]

I've been called once, had to spend a day at the court house, but didn't get selected for the jury.

Once, a few years ago, enough people in my town blew off their jury summons, that the court didn't have enough individuals to fill the jury box. They sent the police into the post office, and told everyone there that they'd been selected for jury duty, and to follow them to the court house. I think that the repercussions for those that hadn't appeared for their jury duty was enough that I will always take it seriously!

 

[dwallace1971]

I had heard that lawyers weren't particularly fond of having engineers and other analytical types on their juries. As I've never been summoned, I have no first-hand knowledge, nor have I seen any other evidence to support that "fact". It's interesting to note, from some of the posts above, that there does seem to be a little truth there.

"On the human scale, the laws of Newtonian Physics are non-negotiable"

 

[MadMango]

Pulling the Engineer Card doesn't always work. I tried, but was still selected by the prosecutor. Then when we were down to 50 jurors (trying to get down to 12 +12 alternates) the prosecutor asked me, "Would you be able to consider my client innocent until this court found him guilty?" I replied, "I know I am supposed to, but just look at him..." I was still selected.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."


Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[StevenHPerry]

An easy way to be excused should be to play up your engineering background (I assume, based on where we're discussing this). Lawyers generally don't like logical people who can evaluate situations objectively against set criteria.

I should have known what my profession would be when I was dismissed from the jury of my 5th grade mock-trial exercise for looking something up in a dictionary.

- Steve Perry

http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenhperry

This post is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is offered with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering engineering or other professional service. If you need help, get help, and PAY FOR IT.

 

[MintJulep]

Called to the courthouse twice in nearly 30 years of eligibility.

Had to go for two days on one occasion, and only one on the other.

Didn't even get interviewed by the lawyers.

 

[ctopher]

I waited all day once, then called as jury number 12.
The lawyers took their time asking each of us questions.
I was the last.
They asked me if I had ever been a cop, or any family members.
I said my dad was a cop.
The lawyers and judge got mad at me and asked why I didn't say this earlier. I told them I was never asked! I was sent home immediately.
Turns out someone was suing the PD.

Chris
SolidWorks 11
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[zelgar]

Been called twice in the last 5 years. First was a federal case, for a drug trial (possession of marijuana). When questioned by the attorneys about the case (and a previous potential juror indicated that the use marijuana is allowed in some States for medical reasons) I indicated that it is currently illegal based on the current law and I would have to evaluate the case based on the current law. Add to the fact that I'm an Engineer for a State agency and I was not selected.

My other experience was a local trial. It was an assult case. I was the first juror selected and the trial only lasted two days. I felt like a lot of the people involved (attorneys on both sides and the police) did not do a good job. There was a lot of information I wanted to know, but the questions weren't asked or wasn't available (don't expect a CSI level of review for a minor case). Additionally, trying to determine if the witnesses are telling the truth, especially when they've contradicted themselves with a signed statement was not my idea of fun.

 

[Fisch88]

Been called twice in 27 eligible years. The first time (1990), I was in the process of moving out of state, so I did not have to appear in court. The second time (2009) I was selected and in court for a week. It was interesting, and everything worked out with my employer - no problems with performing my duty.

 

[btrueblood]

Funny...on Friday the wife (who has never been called in 20+ years of living with me at the same address) got her summons in the mail. The nice thing is, the county courts have multiple venues, and hers is within a 10-minute commute with free parking (rather than downtown, where the parking costs more than the remuneration).

 

[nutengineer]

Went to serve carrying a paperback - the title was "The Runaway Jury" by John Grisham. Held it very clearly in front of me as I was getting ready to be interrogated by the lawyers.

Both saw it, rolled their eyes and I was "gone"!!!

 

[brandonbw]

The very first time I had to go in, was during an awful deadline. Not only was I going into work before and after the jury, but I said I hated lawyers and was going to still be working no matter what. Guess what, I was put on a jury that went further than normal. Totally awful, and totally stupid. After that, I told every single person if you have your stuff decided by a jury, good luck, as you will lose. I was hit by people in there, I didn't agree. And what happened? The person who won, who should have had no reason to win. Not only will you lose time doing this, but you will be driven crazy by your supposed peers.

B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil Engineer and Structural Engineer

http://bwengr.com

 

[JedClampett]

In my experience, in Maricopa County, Arizona you get called pretty much when your eligible (every 18 months). There's apparently a lot of jury trials, between federal, county and municipal. But the rule is, "One day, one trial." So if you're not picked the first day, you're done for another 18 months.
Our company has had some interesting issues with Jury Duty. For a while, they used to reimburse us for the entire trial, no matter how long it took. Then they realized that we were being abused. The lawyers and judges liked people on juries that could serve without losing any pay. So we were picked for a lot of long trials. After that our policy changed to one week of pay.
Anyway, it seems that the same people are being called again and again. There must be a pretty limited list.

 

[dbooker630]

I've been called twice in 30+ years of eligibility and served once. It was on an arson case where accelerant was clearly used (in my opinion). Even though I told the attorney that I worked with chemicals every day as a metallurgist I was not dismissed. The other interesting thing about the jury makeup was that a sitting judge was also called and she was not dismissed either. The case ended in a 10-2 mistrial which was disappointing but the 10 of us in favor of a conviction told the prosecutor to retry this case based on the evidence.

 

[TenPenny]

I've never been called, but my father served on 2 juries for murder trials. He said it was very interesting.

There was a case here (Eastern Canada) a couple of years ago where not enough jurors showed up for selection, so the judge sent the sherrif out with a city bus to the nearby mall, and rounded up a random collection of people, which, apparently, is allowed.

Can you imagine, you're happily walking through the mall, having bought a new shirt, and the next thing you know, the sherrif has you rounded up for jury selection?

 

[TD2K]

I was called likely close to 10 years ago, got out of it with a phone call as I wasn't a citizen. It's been just over 2 years since I got my citizenship so we'll see.

I did stop by the courthouse once to find out if I had to get myself off some 'not eligible' list since I was now 'eligible' and was told it wasn't necessary. They'd find me if they needed me.

 

[TenPenny]

Two years ago, one of my co-workers was called for a murder trial, she really didn't want to be on the jury, as it was a gory murder (guy killed on the sidewalk with a samurai sword). As it happened, the victim was the son-in-law of one of the partners in our firm, so she was easily excused.

Drug money + strippers + home invasion + samurai sword = mess.

 

[peppinu]

Maybe this would be a good idea. But do nor get caught.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/article...juror-who-took-holiday-in-malta-jailed.414332

 

[rmw]

Managed to live to age 60 without ever being called - been called up twice since including earlier this week. Wasn't picked, just wasted the major part of a whole day, but it was good to get out of the office for a bit.

rmw

 

[lacajun]

I'd never been summoned until moving to Colorado. I've been summoned twice here. The first time I was not selected. I have to report at noon this Tuesday for the US District Court. I've been a registered voter for 34 years and finally got caught.

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC

 

[lacajun]

I was not selected today. What a relief! Not that I mind serving but it's not a good time for me. I was surprised at some of the people they retained. One young man said he didn't understand what they were talking about and probably wouldn't understand even if they explained it to him. He was selected. He's going to have an interesting few days.

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC