Since I've moved so much in my life, I am constantly getting called for jury duty. I served 4 years ago (but was dismissed after a day.... didn't get picked for the jury) and got another notice this week!
I've always wanted to serve because I think it'd be a cool, interesting experience!
Have you ever served?
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
I was selected to be in a jury pool, but was never selected as a juror. The selection process was interesting as you got to see how some people's minds worked.
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
Nope, I was selected once in college but then I never got called in since they found out I was in college and gave me a bye(license was in hometown, wasn't living there.)
coconut / 8681 posts
No. I’ve never even been summoned for jury duty!!!! I’d like to at least have the experience, I’m really bummed that they seem to just ignore me!
grape / 86 posts
Yes, I served once on a civil case - I thought it was interesting that I could see myself being swayed by the more attractive attorney (both were male), but of course I remained objective. ;p
I was called to jury duty another time and was in the jury selection pool, and guess who the judge was ??? Judge Lance Ito, too funny. I was eventually eliminated ....good thing b/c I really didn't want to drive to Downtown LA for 2 months !
cantaloupe / 6146 posts
In San Francisco I got called 4 times, but once I got to cancel because I had already gotten my number drawn that year. I never got selected though, just had to sit around for selections till the had their 14 people, or until I got dismissed (I looked like the defendant!).
One was a really high profile murder case that I'm really glad I didn't get selected for--they didn't issue a verdict until 6 months later!
Everywhere else I have lived I have not gotten a summons. Weird?
grapefruit / 4703 posts
I've been called four times - three state and one federal (which is for three weeks!!)
I've only been on one jury though - it was for a bar fight where the victim hit his head (or it was smashed, allegedly) on the sidewalk, and he was in a coma for weeks. The charges were A&B causing serious bodily injury, A&B with a deadly weapon (his shoe), A&B with intent to kill, and A&B on second victim. It lasted a week and we only found him guilty on one of the four charges.
I expected it to be more like Law & Order (DNA, extensive evidence), but I just don't think the state has the resources to get prove every case. At first I was pissed that I'd gotten chosen, but it was actually pretty interesting.
cantaloupe / 6146 posts
@Mrs. Sunglasses: Really? Are there juries, or are legal matters handled in a different way?
bananas / 9628 posts
I was on one once. It was was for an attempted murder case (among a whole list of other charges). The defendant had just turned 17, and now his whole life is ruined. I left the last day of the trial in tears, the experience was awful for me. I still wonder about that poor kid (the defendant, the 'victim' was a douche that deserved far worse than what happened to him! I don't really mean that, but you know what I mean).
kiwi / 691 posts
I always get called but I have never been chosen. I'm always both relieved and disappointed to not be chosen.
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
@PointyBird: No reason to be disappointed! It is not a selection process - it is a *de*selection process. Attorneys strike jurors for many (many, many) reasons from the available jury pool . . . they don't get to choose jurors (strikes are limited, too). A lot of strikes occur because a juror is believed to be beneficial to the opposing party.
pomegranate / 3503 posts
I've served on a case once. It was interesting. It's really hard to convict someone. My husband was on a case once and the guy got acquitted. My husband took the train afterwards and saw the guy on the subway. How awkward.
pomegranate / 3729 posts
I was on the grand jury last spring every friday for 3 months. It was pretty eye opening, mostly on how prevalant drug abuse is around here. Also, I went to HS with several witnesses in a shooting. That was awkward.
persimmon / 1194 posts
I've been on a jury for a malpractice suit. It was an interesting experience however I would rather not do it again. I've been summoned twice since then however one was on my wedding date and most recently 2 days past my due date, um not gonna happen!
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
I've been summoned three times, but I've never served on a jury. The first time I was the very last one cut before they chose the final 14 (12 + two alternates). I was 21 and was scheduled to have a colposcopy the following week...I still think the only reason I was cut was because when I was being interviewed by the lawyers and judge on the stand I started babbling about the procedure (one of the lawyers had never heard of it).
I'm glad I wasn't chosen for that one, it was a case where a woman had shot (but not killed) a police officer, and claimed it was in self-defense. The character witness list alone for the police officer was 3 pages long, single-spaced.
The other two times I was dismissed from the pool without even being called back at all.
I've never minded being summoned...I've always felt it's a civic responsibility...and I've always thought it would be interesting to actually serve (although with the first case, given the extenuating circumstances--i.e. I was convinced I had cervical cancer and would never have children, I'm glad I wasn't chosen).
GOLD / pomelo / 5167 posts
@pastemoo: Okay, my bad. Yes we have jury duty but I don't know anyone in all my life that actually had to do it. So it almost seems in-existant.
persimmon / 1453 posts
I got called for the first time for August. Naturally, the timing couldn't be worse! Any of you fine US citizens are welcome to take my place, I don't want any part of it!
pomelo / 5073 posts
I've been summoned and was even on the jury selection. I wasn't chosen, but it completely messed with my day even though I know it's my civil duty. I was glad to be a part of it, but happy it's almost over. One of the lawyers was super new and I felt so bad for him. He did not do a good job at jury selection.
My mom would love to be called because she doesn't do anything and she would be perfect, but alas, she has not been called.
pomegranate / 3053 posts
I got selected twice when I lived in San Francisco. Got out of the first one (civil case about a guy with brain damage from a work accident that would have lasted a long time); but served for the second one and it was only for a day. It was about an alcoholic peeing in public multiple times. I think we sent him to rehab. I would have stayed on with the civil case except my boss BEGGED me to get out of it b/c we were having our huge product release and she couldn't do without me. I felt pretty guilty and the judge almost didn't let me go... I pretty much just told him I didn't feel comfortable with the case. He had to pull me to the back to have a chat. It was quite embarrassing! But I would do it again. I think it's a great experience that one should go through at least once in their lifetime.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 1 |
| Posts | 1 | 1 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
25 comments