so, I've been summonsed for jury duty.....

yamaha wrote: I still have never been summoned for it.

Me neither.

I was summoned and served on a jury earlier this year. It was a wonderful experience. I learned a lot and enjoyed it, despite the case being somewhat boring.

When I have summoned for jury duty but not selected I usually stay and watch the trial. They are interesting to say the least.

I actually ran into a lady once whose trial I was the foreman of the jury. She was not on trial, but was the victim. She told me all the crap that the defendent had put them through and that he had tried to get it delayed again the day we were there. Judge said no way. A lot of criminals know the system.

DUI cases are who has the best expert testimony. ie how much do you have to spend.

T.J. wrote:

yamaha wrote: I still have never been summoned for it.

Me neither.

Many local gov'ts issue summons based on voter registration lists. Your reward for being a good citizen is the opportunity to be a good citizen. Texas has more recently also been using driver's license records. I was called based on voter registration, was not selected (murder case), and a week later I got a summons based on my driver's license. I got the second summons dismissed because you are not required to be summoned more than once a year (whether you actually serve or not).

I've been called numerous times over the years and only served once-- a drunk driving case that should have never been in a courtroom. It was open and shut and the defendant was just being a jerk by going to court. I'm convinced we gave him a harsher sentence than he could have got from a judge or by plea bargaining. One other time I got marched around downtown with a group of jurors and as soon as we sat down in the juror box the defendant came to an agreement and we were dismissed-- apparently this is fairly common.

Texas does it OK, you only have to go one day and, if you are not selected, you go home and don't worry about it again for at least a year. I got called when I lived in Illinois and I had to go and sit in a room every day for a week in case they needed me. They never needed me.

It must be that time of year. I got a notice saying to be on standby and fill out their little form and mail it back.

spitfirebill wrote: I have served on three jury's. I decided long ago I hope I'm never tried by a jury of my peers.

TOO TRUE!

I was summoned and actually sat in on a trial. I had a previous DUI and that is what the charges were. I was amazed they picked me!

Anyway, the two police officers on the scene gave testimony on two seperate days. Their stories didnt match up. The witness who was there did not match either of the police stories.

The main evidence (a can of air) was mishandled.

There is no test for telling if somebody "huffed" air.

In other words, the evidence was crap and the testimony was crap.

I was teh ONLY person to say not guilty. We deliberated for 4 hours because I would not give in. When I started getting threats about getting my ass kicked I finally relented (After I had convinced 2 other people to my side).

I was AMAZED at what people said in deliberation..... I KNOW he is guilty, just look at him. Or "I don't like the way he looks". Or my favorite "the cops wouldn't lie".

Don't get arrested people.

In reply to wvumtnbkr:

That's terrifying. Also, the correct response to petty threats of ass kicking is to remind them the jail is conveniently in the same building.

the fact is.... ALL civic service tends to function better overall when populated by disinterested parties.

mad_machine wrote: self employed can usually get out of jury duty simply because they are self employed and the courts know that it hurts them financially. When I worked the same way, I was able to get "exempted" for over 10 years because of it

That is not how they roll in California. I have been called 3 times in 10 years. Did the initial response on the form, indicated what a hardship it would be for me and my employees, they rejected the initial one and the follow up letter I sent every time. They tell me I can do it when I take vacation. Lawyer friend of mine told me to tell them the only time I take vacation is the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve. The court is closed that week so they did not come and arrest me for contempt.

As found on reddit:

I get called up every 5 years or so but have yet to serve on a jury. I always get dismissed when the judge asks if anyone in the jury pool knows someone involved in the case.

Seems like with 28 years teaching in the local schools and 5 summers working for a local PI, I always know someone involved.