OK, So I got Jury duty today at Noon. I've only been called once before and I got picked! ~My question is, when the pool of potential jurors are sitting in the court and the lawyers are screening us, Do they know if we've served on a jury before without asking us?! Usually they are asking questions about if we've ever been a victim of a crime before etc...and make their picks from those kinda related things. Last time I answered honestly and was chosen! My plan this time is to answer NOTHING! They won't know I'm NOT answering will they?! Man, I hate this! It costs me to miss work not only in money but also in work load (this is a very vital and busy week of my work!) Also, it costs me to park downtown and we get no reimbursement! Man, what a drag! I really don't want to do this! I haven't shaved for a while and am making sure my tattoos are showing. I didn't get good sleep so I can make sure and look my worse!
If it's not too late when you read this, you may be able to call and postpone your duty. I did it before when I lived in Houston and a busy time was occurring at work. I actually postponed twice one time. Of course, when I finally did appear, I was picked - coincidence?
All you have to do is make sure they know you won't be impartial in that case. It only takes one legal side to dismiss you. And you don't even have to lie. My two jury duty statements that got me dismissed: "My wife was in a similar accident as the plaintiff. She also has a similar body build, so I know the medical bills are huge." "I don't believe in maximum term punishments. The penal system is overtaxed and under financed as it is. The maximum will be a waste of resources."
Ya know what sucks . . . the fact that people don't want to do jury duty . . . I mean, it's not like you should WANT jury duty, but we all avoid it until it's like the plague -- with that attitude, there is NO WAY that a group of competent jurors ever assembles. Dissention will be low, so that the process is expedited. It's not really being ON a jury that sucks, but rather all the crap that goes along with it. Especially the parking. We need free parking for jurors, and potential jurors. We also need more compensation for being on a jury. I've gotten 3 summons, but I was always in college before . . . so far none for me yet since graduation.
I did jury duty this summer and it was actually pretty interesting. You may not want to shirk it. I don't think they know that you've served. But they would know that you haven't been summoned in x amount of time. They have everyone's name in a database and cycle through all the names before refreshing and going again. When I did jury duty, they told me that with this system, I won't get called again before 11/03 or something. And, what is this about reimbursement? You do get reimbursed. The pay sucks, but it should cover your parking. And they give discounts to jurors. And, if you know what you are doing, there are places you can park for free and ride the trolley in. As for getting out of duty, saying nothing at all won't help you. The people that get eliminated say things that will annoy the prosecutin or the defense. And, apparently, blatent lying to get out of duty is not detected. When I was impaneled for a lawsuit, one guy said he thought workers should shut up and do whatever the company tells him to do and another guy kept insulting the prosecutor. I thought the latter was the most effective: if you're a real jerk, they won't want you. But I thought it was really crappy that people would go to such extents to not serve. I didn't want to be picked, but I wouldn't lie or be insulting to avoid it. I have some pride.
I'm out and made it unscathed! Now I have 4 hours to prepare for the start of the NBA season and tonites World Series! I donated my 6dollar pay to some cause against violence! thanks and hope to never post this kinda thread for a long while!
