I've been excused from Jury Duty!

My brother in law got chosen for grand jury duty. State level in Massachusetts. He had to take a 2 hour bus ride to Boston once a week for a year. Then as the year came up they were in the middle of a big case and they extended him for another 6 months. He said he did have some interesting cases. Organized crime and lots of white collar stuff. That was the only good thing turning 70 for me, no more jury duty. I'm not sure if that applies to grand jury duty too.
 

In San Bernardino County, jurors are paid $15 per day, starting on the second day of service, and receive $0.34 per mile roundtrip.

I don't care that much, but if they kick in enough for lunch then I'm good. ;)
 

Trade said:
I disagree too. It should be on a voluntary basis only. What's that? You say there aren't enough volunteers? Then try paying them something better than $25 measly bucks a day which is what I was told I would get.
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We don't even get that! We get a lousy 10 bucks a day and I would hafta lose 2 bucks and hour at work each day. And around here there's a chance you could get murdered for being one of the jurors so no thank you.
 
I served once. Back then it was for two weeks. In a way, I was glad to have that break from work. Most of the time was spent playing games with others who were called to serve. I was never chosen as a juror because we had been the victim of a couple of robberies and I had cousins who were on the police force. When summoned after that, I had a medical excuse....atrial fibrillation, which is unpredictable and was sometimes debilitating.

The last time I was summoned (the A-fib had been temporarily cured), the notification said it would only be for a couple of days. I showed up and was told they did not need me. I felt glad (not that I would have been chosen) and I'm sure you are glad too.
 
I lived as an adult in Florida for 30 years. I was called for jury duty maybe 4 times. I've lived in Texas for 19 years and I've probably been called 10 times. It makes me think there are not enough qualified potential jurors in Dallas County. So, if I'm actually called in I just show a slight bias and voice an opinion that ensures the attorney doesn't choose me. It is those who are quiet and agree with everything that are always chosen.
 
Jules said:
How many defendants chose a trial by jury rather than by judge alone? Or is this an option in the US.
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Don't have specifics on stats, but to answer the last question, when an offense charged permits a jury trial, yes the defendant can request a bench trial also.
 
ohioboy said:
Don't have specifics on stats, but to answer the last question, when an offense charged permits a jury trial, yes the defendant can request a bench trial also.
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Perhaps the lawyers involved don’t encourage it for their own financial reasons. Or maybe judges are less open to the various discussions.
 
JustDave said:
I always wanted the experience of jury duty. Shortly after getting my Virginia driver's license, I guess that's what the court system keys on, a county sheriff's deputy knocks on my door with a summons to show up for jury selection. I was selected, yay me! I got the experience, but I didn't find it enjoyable. My case involved child molestation, and the testimony was disgusting enough, but the the prosecutor didn't have a solid case. We didn't find the defendant guilty. Was he guilty? We didn't know. With the evidence as weak as it was, I'm not sure why the case got that far.
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It got that far, no matter how weak the evidence, because the prosecutor thought he would win. Combine jury members who assume people on trial are guilty (yes, they exist) and a molested child (perfect victim for making people sad and mad) and a prosecutor who wants to win even if there isn't enough evidence to prove it, and you got a slam dunk.

I'm glad you didn't find the defendant guilty because the facts you and the rest of the jury found did not prove innocence beyond a reasonable doubt.
 
WheatenLover said:
It got that far, no matter how weak the evidence, because the prosecutor thought he would win. Combine jury members who assume people on trial are guilty (yes, they exist) and a molested child (perfect victim for making people sad and mad) and a prosecutor who wants to win even if there isn't enough evidence to prove it, and you got a slam dunk.

I'm glad you didn't find the defendant guilty because the facts you and the rest of the jury found, did not prove innocence beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Typically they're using the threat of the trial to force a plea deal, sometimes the defendant refuses the deal, and they have to play the hand out.
 
A year or so back I received a notice to appear for jury duty. In the population of persons summoned I was in one to about a dozen potential panels. It so happened that my panel was to report for service about a month later. We had vacation plans and reservations including flights already booked. Because the process was handled online after the initial screening I sent an email explaining my circumstances, and received a response that my service would be deferred. As you might expect my name came up again and on that occasion it turned out I was scheduled for a surgical procedure.

I felt like these two events would appear suspicious and felt obliged to take factual paperwork evidence and visited the court clerk's office. It was indeed true that I have known the court clerk for many years but I didn't want to take advantage of friendship. She was very understanding and with my insistance did review the paperwork. I was perfectly willing to serve on a jury, not anxious to do so, but felt an obligation to do it. As it turned out my prospective panel was not called upon again, but if called to serve I certainly would comply. Hopefully if that does happen I won't have conflicts again. Now that would be suspicious.
 
Been called 3 times but in each case there was a settlement the day before. Have not been called for nearly 10 years now. But, also, I have been doing a bible study for inmates for the last 10 years - maybe they figure I would be too lenient?
 
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Last time I was called it was for a violent murder case. I raised my hand a lot. I suspect neither side wanted this loose cannon on their case.
 

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