Being a student is an exemption anyway, right? Freshly minted 18 yo as a jury foreman? Dang, the other jurors really didn't care lol
Beginner tips: -the judge and attorneys will go through a bureaucratically programmed series of jokes about how unenthusiastic the jurors are and will assure you that they'll get you out as quickly as possible -the other potential jurors will annoy you by asking stupid questions during voir dire -they don't want unwilling participants. I think you should be interested in serving but if you're not there will be ample opportunities to get out. -if you are indeed interested in serving, take the opportunity to understand the legal process. Hope that the case is a felony. The lawyering will be better and the facts will likely be more engaging.
All I've ever heard...even in the court room itself...is just because you don't speak up doesn't mean you won't get picked. They basically say you are more likely to be picked. But, that hasn't been my experience. From what I've encountered, it appeared the same lawyers who lectured us on being more likely to be picked if we didn't speak up were picking the responsive jurors willing to engage beyond simple yes or no or hand raising. lol. So, I dunno if I believe that old saying of "you are more or just as likely to be picked if you don't speak up" line. That hasn't been my experience. Like you said, the ones who don't speak may be considered unwilling and who wants an unwilling person in the jury room debating this case? It was kind of funny because I"m talking to this one guy before we went in who told me he didn't want to be there but spoke up to a question when he didn't have to. And, he was selected. I think they would rather hear from the person they are selecting. But, the other part is jurors are numbered starting from 1 up when they enter the court room (or at least in my county). And, you are way more likely to be picked if you number in the first 15 of that jury pool. The higher numbers above that are way less likely to end up being on the jury. They do tend to venture higher to replace certain jurors in that first twelve to fifteen but most selected were under number fifteen. I'm not saying that is the way it is definitely for all. I'm just giving my experience and how I perceived it.
Agree with Surfguy's points. If you really don't want to serve there are a number of ways to get out. Generally they will ask "does anyone not want to be here?" after lecturing you on why serving is an honor in our democracy. You are likely to be the only person raising your hand (peer pressure). Also, they will ask hypothetical questions relating to the case: "do any of you think mar1juana should not be criminalized?" Or "have you or someone you know been a victim of _______?" They will then ask you if you can set aside your prejudice to decide the case fairly. Although I agree that a person should not be opposed to being selected, if you don't want to be there you're not doing the legal system any good.
The quietest jurors usually get "picked." That's because lawyers don't "pick" jurors. Lawyers strike jurors. Jurors get struck for "cause" (i.e. legal reasons like an inability to follow the law) or with one of the preemptory strikes (i.e. any reason the lawyer wants except for race, gender, or religion). So if you are silent, the lawyers usually don't have a reason to strike you. Thus, you end up "picked" to be on the jury. The jury is made up of the leftovers from the panel that weren't struck. So if you don't want to be on the jury - make sure you answer questions.
This. And don't just answer questions, but give strong opinions. It's not really about speaking vs. not speaking. It's about giving one side a reason to not want you on the jury. If you speak but don't say anything objectionable, then simply speaking up may not work.
I've always enjoyed being a juror - been to 3 hearings already. It's a real good experience going through the process if you get picked (especially if work pays for it). Most of the negativity is coming from waiting a long time (bored), losing income or some personal hardship. Hope you have a good experience
From my experience with Jury selections (if my memory is still good), the screening process goes through a selection of 14 (2 backups) and random jurors are selected for the first 14 and you get to sit on the jurors isle. Once you sit down, that will be your permanent seat unless dismissed from selection. The screening process begins with both the prosecution and defense ask each jurors questions to get a feel. I don't recall the number but there is a max number of rejections they can make. Meaning, if there are 500 ppl in the court, they cannot go through everybody as that will be a very boring process. The questions will come from both and there is no format. It is quite normal for somebody to be rejected immediately after one question. So if they keep coming back to you after questioning other jurors, usually a good sign they both like you and youre there for the long run. I was juror number 1 out of 500. I never got booted out of that seat. If you are not selected, it is still very interesting to hear the answers of your peers. It is amazing to hear the spectrum of answers from the brilliant to the "i think you are missing a gene".
Take it seriously because in a lot of the world, people get shot to death or indefinitely detained by heavily armed blood hungry militias because they demanded due process. This is happening all the time, all around us.
My advice, avoid doing it downtown and wait for a summons to a smaller county court. I had several for downtown and either ignored them or rescheduled for a later date. Finally got one for the County JP in Baytown and went to that. I was there an hour tops.
Go downtown. Get yourself kicked out by 2. Wander a few blocks from the court house to Hubcap Grill. Enjoy a delicious hamburger. Go home and take a nap.
Summoned today. Have an interview Thursday that I can't reschedule... So hopefully I can get out of this.
These are on two different jury wheels. They didn't bump you down to the JP court because you ignored the summons - you would've gotten the JP summons either way. BTW, Summons aren't invitations that can be ignored. Harris County is very large so they don't send sheriff's deputies to your door for ignoring a summons, but they do in other counties. If you ever get a federal summons for jury duty (also a seperate jury wheel), you better think twice before ignoring it - because they will send the Marshalls to your door.
