Jury Duty

I had to go for jury duty Monday, after working until 10 the night before and finally getting to sleep around 2 am. I somehow managed to drag myself out of bed at 6:30 so I could get some coffee in me an get downtown by 8:30.
There were about 300 potential jurors in the room, so I hoped they wouldn't need me. I dozed in an uncomfortable chair while wishing I had gotten a Windows laptop instead of the Chromebook. I could have worked on a few songs in SONAR.
 
My name was called, along with 40-some other folks. We filed out to the elevators, but they were so crowded I decided to take the stairs. The court room was only 4 floors above, so I thought it would be a piece of cake. It wasn't. Each floor was high-ceilinged so the 4 floors seemed like 8 to my legs and lungs. I arrived out of breath and cramping.
Twelve names were called to be questioned by the DA and defense attorney to determine their suitability for this trial, a drug-trafficking case. After all 12 were grilled, the defense attorney rejected 3 of them.The judge asked the clerk to select 3 more, and I was the first one called.
 
The DA started with me, asking if I ever knew anyone who used drugs, if I knew anyone in law enforcement, a little personal history, then she went to the other 2 newbies.
When she was done, the judge called a recess for lunch. It was about 1:15 and he said for everyone to return at 2:30.
I walked around downtown and found a Subway and got a turkey sandwich with olives, lettuce and mustard.  Walked a little more then called work to let them know I wouldn't be in (scheduled for 2).
 
I had assumed that the defense attorney would reject me due to my past relationships with people who used drugs and alcohol to excess, and by my brother being a corrections officer. But it was the DA who excused me as soon as court was in session. She also excused a lady whose brother had been addicted to oxy contin (sp?) one of the drugs the defendant was accused of selling.
 
Back to the jury assembly room we wnt where the clerk released us with a "see you in 2 years!"
 
My duty has been done. Again. I was rejected for jury duty once before, in the mid-80s.
 
I am eagerly awaiting my check for my service.

I've been in those jury cattle calls as well. I never got to the point where I was asked any questions. I only got as far as waiting until lunchtime to be told to go away. 
 
I never try to get out of jury duty. I consider it one of those civic responsibilities that we all share. Besides, it's hard to find a vending machine with food that old outside of a bus terminal.

I don't see how it could be a good thing that either the prosecution or defence get to choose who is on the jury.  Isn't it supposed to be random?

Around here, when you get called you can basically just tell them "I'm busy at the moment, but I'll be available in..." and they're OK with that (one time).
 
Then you tell them you're happily available in July/August.
 
You know, when lots of judges and lawyers and prosecutors are on vacation and there are much fewer cases.

57Gregy
 
My name was called, along with 40-some other folks. We filed out to the elevators, but they were so crowded I decided to take the stairs. The court room was only 4 floors above, so I thought it would be a piece of cake. It wasn't. Each floor was high-ceilinged so the 4 floors seemed like 8 to my legs and lungs. I arrived out of breath and cramping.
 
 

that right there would have been my ticket out of serving because I would have passed out in the stairwell at the 3rd floor!

I am eagerly awaiting my check for my service.

they give us checks before we leave....hmm...

that right there would have been my ticket out of serving because I would have passed out in the stairwell at the 3rd floor!
 
OK... that got an actual LOL from me...  Be well my friend! Eat more becan!

I think they have a certain # of dismissals w/o reason, from what I understand.  I got out of jury duty until my kids got too old.  They called me one time.  It ain't hard to get downtown - I live right by a train station (jeez, I need a job downtown again).  And in Dallas they have an enormous hall filled w/ hundreds of people that get shunted off to different groups.  I got called for an accident where the plaintiff was wanting extra money from the dude that hit her.  When it came to me, I said I didn't believe in extra bucks for extra Pain and Suffering.  She had gotten all her bills  paid, time off from work ect. etc. 3 times over.  The standard for insurance in Texas.  Basically, someone else hits you and if you aren't really hurt you collect 3 x whatever damages you come up with - Dr. visits missed work etc.  The average settlement starts about $5000 (depending upon your bills).  No need to lawyer up - his/her expenses don't get you any more cash and some of yours will come out of your insurance pay out.  Just let your insurance handle the paperwork - trust me, it is not something you want to do.
 
So I said I didn't believe in any extra cash.  It was funny, even the Judge was after me - "it is OK under the law."  I bit my tongue and simply told her I didn't believe in extra Pain and Suffering and she didn't really want me on her jury.  She let me go and I ain't heard any more from the Justice system. And we have several in Dallas - the City and Federal Court house (I don't think the county has juries but they'll fine you so they must).
 
Everybody should serve at least once to jury, just to see the sausage being made.  It is a civic duty and gives a good reason not to get into trouble w/ the law. 
 
@

I was called once and was unfortunate enough to have been selected. Had to set through a whole week of idiotic questioning and legal mumbo jumbo....
 
Next time I will wear my Tea Party T shirt and my NRA hat....

Never been asked and won't ever do it. I have good reason... but even then... I'd imagine it's still really easy to be removed for someone who's mind is set to it... and not in a way that lands you in trouble.

Also, another reason was I knew that it would be very difficult for the plaintiff to convince me.  Not fair to her, really.  Just because I don't believe in a law doesn't mean she shouldn't have her day in court.
 
@

The thought of my life being entirely in the hands of a bunch of people too dumb to figure out how to get out of jury duty or worse still, people who actually want to do it, scares me enough to make sure that I never need to go to court.
 

craigb

paulo
The thought of my life being entirely in the hands of a bunch of people too dumb to figure out how to get out of jury duty or worse still, people who actually want to do it, scares me enough to make sure that I never need to go to court.

 
Well, they're supposed to be a jury of your peers, so...
 

....clearly, just by being there they wouldn't be that. Thanks for pointing that out....should I ever be unfortunate enough to end up in court I could use that as a valid reason to disqualify every jury.