Dan called a little bit ago to tell me that I’ve been selected for three days of jury duty on January 12th, 2009 (I asked him to pick up the mail while he was out this afternoon). Lucky me. Though to be honest with you, I don’t know a lot about jury duty. Anyone care to share any personal stories or experiences?
Ryan’s therapist was here when Dan called to tell me, and she suggested that I get a note from Ryan’s doctor or even the autism and behavioral health services agency that is helping us with Ryan’s therapeutic needs, and use the legitimate excuse of a special needs child to get out of doing jury duty. I don’t know if I’ll do that. Yes, it’s a legitimate excuse and all that jazz, but at the same time if Dan can get off of work and stay with the kids, then there’s no reason why I couldn’t go. Of course, if he can’t get off of work… then I’ll definitely have to get out of it.
Ugh, I feel so lazy right now. I have a few articles to write on safety equipment, but first I need to check my PO box and go pick up Alyssa from my mom. I also need to deal with her and some more money drama. 
I’ve been called for jury duty three times so far. I wouldn’t be surprised if they call me in again, although I have a health excuse on file.
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The first two times I was requested to do Jury Duty I was a college student & thus got a free pass to get out of it. The third time, I had just started a full-time job. And was unable to get out of it. So I told them I was “racist (I’m not) & hated everybody!” And thus would give an unfair trial. They let me off. LMAO! But you really don’t want to go on the record and state you’re a racist.
You should be able to get out of it since you are the primary caregiver for your children. There will be something you should be able to fill out with the summons and send back.
I can wrap jury duty up in one word: BORING
Trust me, use the out.
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I’ve never had to do jury duty but I think I’d be taking the out just because of what I’ve heard about it. It’s completely up to you though!
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My mom got summoned for jury duty and as soon as they found out my dad was convicted of a felony they released her. I’ll have the same luxury if Randy and I get married. Show up and tell them, I’m out. I’d try getting out of it if I were you.
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Jury duty is … not as fun as Pauly Shore makes it out to be.
Yeah, I’m sure you’ll be able to get out of it. BUT I did it and it was a child molestation case and I will never regret it. It’s literally our duty to do this. I only say this because it was hella interesting, they paid me, plus I got full wages, and there were a couple of old women in there that did the whole…I Can’t send someone to jail thing. Enough said, I can, done. Dude is in prison. If not for me and one other guy they’d have refused to decide and I’m not sure if that’s a mistrial or the judge just takes it in his hands then on that type of case?
Anyway, if you can swing it I’d try it. You’ll love the experience. I know everyone thinks it is boring, but I thought it was interesting as hell. Plus, the judge entertained our questions and let us go, ok what is the deal with them not doing this and not doing that? The downside, they made us all tell how we were voting and the family was in the court room. We had to be escorted out because they were so pissed. That was like 12 years ago though, I’m sure it’s safer now????? HEH!
I was summoned in 2006. From what I’ve learned, you have a chance of getting selected every four years (great, I’m back on in 2010), whether you’ve registered to vote or not. They also make selections by your SSN.
This is from what I can remember it was a personal waste of my time, Involved sitting in a room with a large group of people (for a long period of time), hearing an introduction, giving us all of the guidelines, hearing how the process worked, and having the opportunity to ask questions.
Eventually, they put us all into jury groups, then we went into our court rooms, and began selecting members of the jury – after briefly telling us about our case. This was our time to make the judge aware if you had a reason to get ‘excused’ from the case. A few people stood up, approached the judge on a private note, and they were excused to leave. Fortunately for me, I was one of the left sitting after the jury was chosen, and was given permission to leave. They gave us certificates for participating.
The good thing about it was, I was working at the time, and still got paid for it. Score!
My Mom was chosen, a few years ago, and got excused – seeing as it was a murder trial, and had a cousin who was murdered.
I’d try to weasel my way out of it. I don’t see why you shouldn’t be able to get out of it, considering that you have your own priorities. But then again, the government can be assholes. Good luck with it Jenn, whatever decision you choose to make. =)
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I got called to go, but I had the call night before and I got lucky and my number was excused!
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I got out of jury duty because I was breast feeding at the time.
I’d do it! Once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference. It’d be interesting to witness a real court case.
I don’t know anything about it really. Whenever I got called I just got out of it since I was still in college.
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I was called in and I was on a case. I was only 18 years old and the case was about a DUI. The guy really had a story. It was pretty funny that the cops told us that they didnt see him drinking an driving. Went into he court room about 8 am and break about noon for lunch then about 3 we went into the room and didnt go back into the court room til 10 pm. It was a pretty long day I have to say. A lot of people I know they dont like to be called but I did enjoy it. Its a learning tool also its good that we have the right to have a Jury.
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Never been and I hope it stays that way lol
I agree with Ranee. I think it’s our duty to do jury duty, and I hope I get selected some time. My mom was summoned recently and was interested in participating but once she found out the case was for child pornography (a 4 year old) she just could not bring herself to participate because they warned that they would show the evidence. That made her very uncomfortable so she asked to be excused and they let her.
Another time, my ex boyfriend (a firefighter) got summoned and the case turned out to be for arson. Once they found out he was a firefighter, they excused him telling him they didn’t think he would be able to make an unbiased judgement given his profession.
So you never know, I would go and see what it’s about and you might find yourself interested in the case, or you might find out that you just cannot do it.
Either way I would say to give it a chance.
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Oh man… that stinks. I’ve never done it.
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I’ve been called twice in Iowa and once in Texas. Texas I had no choice, I had to be out as I was sole caregiver for my terminally ill mother. The first time here in Iowa, I was excused because I was still in high school. The second time, I was excused because I was literally going to be having surgery in the middle of the trial – so they excused me for the rest of the month and left it at that.
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I’ve yet to be called for jury duty, but my parents both have been. They got out of it on the basis that they can’t actually communicate well enough in English to understand the trial.
If you can do it though, I would do it. Civic duty and all that – the American courts needs as many impartial jury members as possible.
I got called up to do it last year… and it was well interesting. I was going to insert my blog about it, but eh yeah… I switched hosts and started the blog over a few months ago. I enjoyed it somewhat: brought the laptop to peruse of their wireless capability until i was put on a case. Would I do it again? Uhh hell yeah… it got me away from my daily norm to norm employment stuffers ;)
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i actually wanted to do jury duty and got called only to be told i was put on reserve and never used… alot of people think it’s boring but i used to go sit in the local court just to watch cases so it would have been interesting to be on the jury!