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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ OT: Jury Duty
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Oct 15 2006, 10:36 PM
Jury duty tomorrow morning 07:45. So when the judge asks, "is there any reason you should be excused from serving on this jury?" I say...? Any ideas?
Elliot
Posted by: TINCAN914 Oct 15 2006, 10:38 PM
Guilty !!!!!
Off with their heads!!!!
The little voices tell me no....
Posted by: Mrs. K Oct 15 2006, 10:49 PM
Tell him you belong to this club 
Seriously, tell them you have a lot of personal friends who are in law enforcement 
PS........what court do you have to report to?
Lisa
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Oct 15 2006, 10:56 PM
Tell him you belong to this club
Seriously, tell them you have a lot of personal friends who are in law enforcement
PS........what court do you have to report to?
Lisa
Superior Court of California. Orange County. It's up in Santa Ana. Been there many times.
Posted by: Mrs. K Oct 15 2006, 10:59 PM
Tell him you belong to this club
Seriously, tell them you have a lot of personal friends who are in law enforcement
PS........what court do you have to report to?
Lisa
Superior Court of California. Orange County. It's up in Santa Ana. Been there many times.
You must know some OC law enforcement people, right?
Plus you can always tell then you don't thing you could give an unbiased opinion especially if it's a gang trial or something like that
Posted by: anthony Oct 15 2006, 11:04 PM
Just don't show up if you don't want to do it. How are they going to prove that you received the summons? I bet 30% of those that get jury duty summonses never show up. Has anyone ever heard of someone getting arrested for evading jury duty?
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Oct 15 2006, 11:07 PM
Maybe I'll just wear my 914world.com hat and T shirt. Quoteing or carrying a Bible will also get you excused. Or I could just tell them I hang with Clayton and Joe Sharp. That otta do it!
night night, Elliot
Posted by: jimtab Oct 15 2006, 11:09 PM
Tell em you know Z....that outta do it.....
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Oct 15 2006, 11:10 PM
Just don't show up if you don't want to do it. How are they going to prove that you received the summons? I bet 30% of those that get jury duty summonses never show up. Has anyone ever heard of someone getting arrested for evading jury duty?
They know you got it cause ya gotta fill out a part of the summons and send it back. I already postponed it twice so a ran outa excuses. I just hope I can stay awake.
Posted by: KaptKaos Oct 16 2006, 12:05 AM
You're retired! What else ya got to do? 
Posted by: So.Cal.914 Oct 16 2006, 12:07 AM
Tell them you would be glad to do it because it is your civic duty, but due to
your multiple personality dis-order you will need 3 out of the 12 seats...maybe 4.
Posted by: Twystd1 Oct 16 2006, 12:24 AM
You have a opportunity to exonerate the innocent.
And an opportunity to hold someone accountable.
In this day and age. Thats a rare opportunity.
C
Posted by: mikez Oct 16 2006, 01:09 AM
They cut me loose all the time.....I just tell what I do for a living and I think the DA is a Schmuck.....
Oh and Tabby..... 
Posted by: Lou W Oct 16 2006, 04:46 AM
Tell them you would be glad to do it because it is your civic duty, but due to
your multiple personality dis-order you will need 3 out of the 12 seats...maybe 4.
Thats a good one
Posted by: STL914 Oct 16 2006, 05:22 AM
Seriously, tell them you have a lot of personal friends who are in law enforcement
Lisa
That sure didn't work or me years ago back in Wisconsin. I have two cousins in the Sherrif's dept and another who was a Milwaukee cop plus a very close friend also a cop in Milwaukee. THis was a federal case, armed bank robbery and I thought I'd be excused too. NOT!
Posted by: Gint Oct 16 2006, 06:10 AM
Actually serving on a trial jury is a pretty cool experience. Just do it.
Posted by: ClayPerrine Oct 16 2006, 06:16 AM
I just carry a hardback copy of Tom Clancy's book "Without Remorse". I make sure the defense attorneys can see the covers. Works every time....
For those of you who don't know this book.... The main character is a ex-seal who starts vigilante killing drug dealers..... Good Book.
Posted by: smontanaro Oct 16 2006, 07:32 AM
Actually serving on a trial jury is a pretty cool experience. Just do it.
Amen to that. I got called to jury duty for the first time a few months ago.
It turned out to be a first degree murder case. Gave me a new perspective
on the justice system.
Skip
Posted by: BMartin914 Oct 16 2006, 07:47 AM
You have a opportunity to exonerate the innocent.
And an opportunity to hold someone accountable.
In this day and age. Thats a rare opportunity.
C
Posted by: tat2dphreak Oct 16 2006, 07:58 AM
you already think he's guilty...
do you best alfred/hitler impersonation...
serving may be a great and noble act, but the pay sucks shit...
the 2 times I've been called, I was completely honest and still didn't have to serve... if I was picked, I'd serve and do my best... so, unless you REALLY can't do it, just roll with the punches, and see what happens
Posted by: spare time toys Oct 16 2006, 08:07 AM
get in the middle of the pack when they let you in. Every time I go thats what I do. When they choose they start taking from #1 and may skip 1 or 2 folks but I have never seen them make it past #18. I go and sit in the back and am out at lunch time get my $7 from the balif and a full days pay from work and am home by 12 
Posted by: So.Cal.914 Oct 16 2006, 08:10 AM
I just carry a hardback copy of Tom Clancy's book "Without Remorse". I make sure the defense attorneys can see the covers. Works every time...
Or a copy of "Catcher in the Rye" and John Lennon's last album.
Posted by: smontanaro Oct 16 2006, 08:27 AM
get in the middle of the pack when they let you in. Every time I go thats what I do. When they choose they start taking from #1 and may skip 1 or 2 folks but I have never seen them make it past #18.
You've apparently never had jury duty in a large metro courthouse. At least in Chicago, selection for jury candidates for a given case is all done randomly.
Skip
Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Oct 16 2006, 09:02 AM
Just don't show up if you don't want to do it. How are they going to prove that you received the summons? I bet 30% of those that get jury duty summonses never show up. Has anyone ever heard of someone getting arrested for evading jury duty?
Yes. In California, where many of us live, there is a bigtime statewide campaign to "correct the attitude" of people who don't show up for Jury duty. You might know of it if you read the newspaper. BTW, it's one of the VERY small prices we pay for the country we live in. Why would you want to shirk it? Elliot's retired, what could he possibly have to do that's more important than serving his country at the grassroots level? If you don't like serving on a jury, you always have the option of moving to a country where they don't have civilian juries, or even need them .......... The Cap'n
Posted by: slapshot914 Oct 16 2006, 09:25 AM
Just do it. You may get lucky and get to put some scum bag away. Last time I served on a jury, the guy was busted for selling drugs out of his apartment. When the cops came in the front door, he was shoving his 8 year old kid out the back door with his stash. Course the cops were already there and picked up the kid before he got 2 steps. When they searched the apartment, they found a loaded .357 mag behind the coach. Two little kids in the house with loaded weapons and he invovles the oldest one with his smack. Great Dad. I was more than happy to put him away. Do your job!
Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 16 2006, 09:27 AM
do it old man...
promise you wont fall asleep tho
AA
Posted by: Air_Cooled_Nut Oct 16 2006, 09:27 AM
On my first jury duty summons everyone at work was really negative so I was really apprehensive. Wouldn't you know it, I became a juror! In the deliberation room everyone voted ME as the Jury Foreman! And we debated. And debated. And debated. Thanks to one bit..er, woman, we didn't get a majority vote on one of the three offenses. So the slim ball got nailed for two at least. I was out of work for one day of trial/deliberation, then the next 1/2-day of deliberation. And you know what? IT WAS FUN! It was a neat experience and I'll gladly do it again.
I don't understand why people don't want to do it Although, I'm one of those geeks who likes all of the "Law & Order" and "CSI" shows on TV.
Posted by: anthony Oct 16 2006, 10:18 AM
In California, where many of us live, there is a bigtime statewide campaign to "correct the attitude" of people who don't show up for Jury duty. You might know of it if you read the newspaper. BTW, it's one of the VERY small prices we pay for the country we live in. Why would you want to shirk it? Elliot's retired, what could he possibly have to do that's more important than serving his country at the grassroots level? If you don't like serving on a jury, you always have the option of moving to a country where they don't have civilian juries, or even need them .......... The Cap'n
John,
You read between the lines and extrapolate too much. I never said I wanted him to shirk his duty. He said he wanted to get out of it. I've always done my jury duty and always found it an interesting experience to say the least. Still, I think more people should have an out. I've been in jury sessions where the judge rips the people a new a-hole because he didn't like their flimsey excuse. I personally do think it's a hardship for people that may not have day care for their children, self employed people, or have low wage jobs that don't pay them while they are at jury duty.
Posted by: Howard Oct 16 2006, 11:05 AM
Have never served on a jury. I keep showing up, but they just don't seem to like my attitude. Maybe not shaving for a few weeks and carrying a copy of the Koran has had something to do with it. 
Seriously, it is a duty and an honor. Marianne did 7 months on a murder jury. Really changes your perspective on many things. But I do agree with Anthony. It isn't fair to put certain people thru the hassle.
At least out here, the courts are getting smarter. In Ventura, the jury 'room' has a cafeteria, patio, Starbucks, and WiFi. No sitting in a stuffy courtroom waiting to be called. I don't mind a bit, but hey, I'm mostly retired.
Posted by: ptravnic Oct 16 2006, 11:21 AM
I had grand jury duty earlier in the summer. 2 full weeks of hearing about NYC's finest busting cocaine & heroin dealers. It's a small price to pay for the liberties we receive. Plus, it was one hell of a lesson in group dynamics!
I can honesly say that I hope to never be judged by a jury of my peers.
Posted by: Headrage Oct 16 2006, 11:44 AM
Just have your employer fill out the hardship section and send it in.
Oh, wait 
Posted by: grantsfo Oct 16 2006, 12:00 PM
Just don't show up if you don't want to do it. How are they going to prove that you received the summons? I bet 30% of those that get jury duty summonses never show up. Has anyone ever heard of someone getting arrested for evading jury duty?
They know you got it cause ya gotta fill out a part of the summons and send it back. I already postponed it twice so a ran outa excuses. I just hope I can stay awake.
I usually go to jury duty, but you know if they dont serve you in person with the summons you dont have to show as long as you dont send it back. You only get in trouble if you awknowledge the summons that is sent via mail and dont show.
Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Oct 16 2006, 12:14 PM
Just don't show up if you don't want to do it. How are they going to prove that you received the summons? I bet 30% of those that get jury duty summonses never show up. Has anyone ever heard of someone getting arrested for evading jury duty?
They know you got it cause ya gotta fill out a part of the summons and send it back. I already postponed it twice so a ran outa excuses. I just hope I can stay awake.
I usually go to jury duty, but you know if they dont serve you in person with the summons you dont have to show as long as you dont send it back. You only get in trouble if you awknowledge the summons that is sent via mail and dont show.
Maybe in YOUR county, but not Santa Barbara County, and REALLY NOT LA County. They send people out to get you, and the judge has already heard all the stories. The Cap'n
Posted by: Lou W Oct 16 2006, 12:18 PM
Actually serving on a trial jury is a pretty cool experience. Just do it.
Amen to that. I got called to jury duty for the first time a few months ago.
It turned out to be a first degree murder case. Gave me a new perspective
on the justice system.
Skip
Im curious, your new perspective was it good or bad?
Posted by: smontanaro Oct 16 2006, 01:38 PM
Gave me a new perspective on the justice system.
Im curious, your new perspective was it good or bad?
I don't know if it could be called good or bad. A couple of things come immediately to mind:
- You really don't want to be a poor person in the grips of our criminal justice system
- No way in hell does all the evidence get presented (much of it is suppressed beforehand)
Posted by: Brando Oct 16 2006, 02:47 PM
A jury of my peers? I couldn't imagine how it would be with 12 assorted flavors of the peanut gallery determining my fate ![popcorn[1].gif](style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Oct 16 2006, 02:55 PM
Just don't show up if you don't want to do it. How are they going to prove that you received the summons? I bet 30% of those that get jury duty summonses never show up. Has anyone ever heard of someone getting arrested for evading jury duty?
They know you got it cause ya gotta fill out a part of the summons and send it back. I already postponed it twice so a ran outa excuses. I just hope I can stay awake.
I usually go to jury duty, but you know if they dont serve you in person with the summons you dont have to show as long as you dont send it back. You only get in trouble if you awknowledge the summons that is sent via mail and dont show.
Lots of barracks lawyers here. I'm surprised to get so much response from this post. I tried to do this as somewhat of a joke. Maybe we need a tongue in cheek smilie here. I don't mind serving jury duty although I would rather not. I have served 6 times in the last 20 years! I know many who have never been called. I've served my County and served my Country. My last jury was a two week murder trial. Not the most pleasant of times. As it turns out, I have to go back tomorrow and may be picked to serve on a jury in a civil trial. Asbestos. The trial is expected to last till Dec. 6th. Like the guy said, "He's retired. What else does he have to do!!" Thanks for all the input. We have a wonderfully diverse group here. I enjoy all the opinions and attitudes.
Cheers, Elliot
Maybe in YOUR county, but not Santa Barbara County, and REALLY NOT LA County. They send people out to get you, and the judge has already heard all the stories. The Cap'n
Posted by: tdgray Oct 16 2006, 02:59 PM
A jury of my peers? I couldn't imagine how it would be with 12 assorted flavors of the peanut gallery determining my fate
I just got this mental image of a jury made up of 914club people.
SHIT... you'd be fried, shot and had the needle in the arm before the bailif says "come to order"
Posted by: JPB Oct 16 2006, 03:10 PM
Tell them you would be glad to do it because it is your civic duty, but due to
your multiple personality dis-order you will need 3 out of the 12 seats...maybe 4.
Excellence!!Posted by: JPB Oct 16 2006, 03:21 PM
My turn, I give you three options:
1. Just do it and post a daily on this forum as to the goodies if you can. 
2. A way out is to just beg to be accepted to do this in the most honest way but keep one hand in your pants and cuped around your testicles. Wear a pair of sweet pants with a dress shirt and don't forget to act humble and sooo intersted to do your civil duty. 
3. Just be a good citizen and do the best you can.
Let God sort them out in the end.
Posted by: hmeeder Oct 16 2006, 05:14 PM
Well, I'm serving right now (not at this very moment, but you know what I mean.)
In San Diego Court the initial jury pool is chosen randomly by computer, as are the folks chosen to fill seats after people are excused.
The trial is tedious and the words "sense of urgency" is lost on the process. As they say, the wheels of Justice grind slowly, very slowly.
Having said that, I'm willing to serve and do it with all the seriousness it deserves. It is one of the things we need to do to earn the right to live and breathe in a somewhat, kinda, mostly free country.
Also, I neglected to show up the last time I got a summons (just spaced it. Had the day free and everything) and was nailed with a $200 fine. I wouldn't advise just "skipping it."
Posted by: spare time toys Oct 16 2006, 05:23 PM
get in the middle of the pack when they let you in. Every time I go thats what I do. When they choose they start taking from #1 and may skip 1 or 2 folks but I have never seen them make it past #18.
You've apparently never had jury duty in a large metro courthouse. At least in Chicago, selection for jury candidates for a given case is all done randomly.
Skip
Nope just in this podunk town called DALLAS TX
I have been called in at least a dozen times and served on 2 jurries 
Posted by: Crazyhippy Oct 16 2006, 07:00 PM
What else do you have to do Elliot....
You're RETARDED...errr Retired, well maybe both
BJH
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Oct 16 2006, 07:04 PM
What else do you have to do Elliot....
You're RETARDED...errr Retired, well maybe both
BJH
Someone finally gets it right!!!
Posted by: MattR Oct 16 2006, 07:12 PM
"They need me down at WalMart to greet all the nice people"
Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 16 2006, 07:23 PM
hahahahha!!!!
+1 matt....
BTW - why do they swab the guys arm prior to lethal injection? last second infection or what?
Posted by: Brando Oct 16 2006, 07:47 PM
+1 matt....
BTW - why do they swab the guys arm prior to lethal injection? last second infection or what?
I have always wondered that as well... Why not stick 'em with the dirtiest, rustiest AIDS-infected used needle from a coke whore?
Posted by: Howard Oct 16 2006, 07:50 PM
Kamikaze pilots wore helmets.
Posted by: Headrage Oct 16 2006, 07:58 PM
They also have braille writing on drive up atm's.
Posted by: GTPatrick Oct 16 2006, 08:01 PM
You can always try the old " I have a medical condition " reason if you want to get out of the jury duty gig . Get a Dr.'s written excuse .
But then again, it's like voting . If you don't vote don't bitch about the outcome . So if you don't participate at least once in the legal/court jury system , then you can't gripe about how how jurys screw things up .
Posted by: ClayPerrine Oct 16 2006, 09:57 PM
They also have braille writing on drive up atm's.
And those same ATMs have CRT screens that blind people can't read anyway...
Posted by: mikez Oct 16 2006, 10:02 PM
I would wear a fresh set of Depends, have a good book along with a six pack of coke and a hip flask.....I be fine....as long as the flask is big enuff....I can alwyas get more coke and re-read the book.....but that flask needs to be big...or have a couple of re-fills...
Fuckem...he's guilty.....big tits....maybe guilty....my ex wife....def-guilty....my momz....have to listen harder to the evidence....Jim Tab....GUILTY......
Posted by: jimtab Oct 17 2006, 09:46 PM
They also have braille writing on drive up atm's.
I think I drive to work with those guys....oh and Z...bite me...were all guilty...now if only we were all HUNG!!! Ha!
Posted by: ClayPerrine Oct 18 2006, 07:10 AM
now if only we were all HUNG!!! Ha!
You mean everyone is NOT??
Posted by: zymurgist Oct 18 2006, 08:35 AM
Kamikaze pilots wore helmets.
But Roethlisberger didn't.
Oh yes. I went there.
Posted by: STL914 Oct 18 2006, 11:20 AM
I don't know if it could be called good or bad. A couple of things come immediately to mind:
- You really don't want to be a poor person in the grips of our criminal justice system
- No way in hell does all the evidence get presented (much of it is suppressed beforehand)
The case that I was a jurer for, the defendant was charged with 12 counts of armed bank robbery. The jury consisted of two men, the forman and myself, and ten women. After hearing the "evidence", we took an informal poll to see how people felt; 2 not guilty [us guys] and 10 guilty [the women]. We each expressed why we voted as we did. Now this gets scary. Image you are the defendant, and people deciding your fate think you are guilty because:
The police don't arrest innocent people
You had $400 in you pocket when stopped by the police
You look quilty
Sick and tired of people getting away with crimes. Someone has to pay and it might as well be you.
The police found a pair of Hush Puppy shoes in your closet, it doesn't matter that they do not match those in the picture from the bank's survelliance cameras.
It took the two of us fthree days to convince these women that the evidence was crap. A photo of the "suspect' was taken in January, in Wisconsin, shows someone wearing a down hooded parka, a ski mask and gloves. All you could see were lips and eyeballs. Piss poor evidence.
One more point. The defendant was in fact an FBI informant who actually called the FBI and local police to stake out the bank in question. The other robbers cut a deal with the DA saying that he was the brains behind the robberies.
Based on this experience, I would ask for a jugde to hear my case if I was ever taken to trial. At least he/she would have some intelligence.
Posted by: tat2dphreak Oct 18 2006, 12:57 PM
my B-law professor told horror stories like that from when he was in criminal practice...
he siad the most basic questions were the ones he base his jury picks on... he said when asked "do you believe this person is guilty, and that's why he was arrested?" about 1/2 the room would say "yes": that eliminated 1/2 of the room right there... since they don't even understand the basis of our judical system: innocent until PROVEN guilty... he said after that he was ask a few more questions pertaining to basic law knowledge, and would usually only be left with a handful of people who could even possibly be considered...
scary to think about...
Posted by: SirAndy Oct 18 2006, 01:00 PM
Jury duty tomorrow morning 07:45. So when the judge asks, "is there any reason you should be excused from serving on this jury?" I say...?
i would actually have liked to do jury duty.
i got a letter two weeks ago, but unfortunately, i'm not a US citizen, so i'm not eligible ...
Andy
Posted by: jhadler Oct 18 2006, 01:34 PM
You have a opportunity to exonerate the innocent.
And an opportunity to hold someone accountable.
In this day and age. Thats a rare opportunity.
C
I have only been summoned twice, niether time have I even made the selelction process. 1st, as a student, I was on break when summoned, and as a result did not even know about it untill it was too late. The second time, I already had travel plans that would have interefered, and was excused. I would like the privilege of serving. [having said that, I'll probably find a summons in the mail tonight when I get home...]
I do know that scientists and engineers are often excused by the lawyer that has the weakest case. Empirically oriented people tend to focus more on the hard evidence than the emotional issues involved. Makes it harder to sway by emotional or irrational arguments. I had a friend that was excused because he was asked if he knew how a breathalyzer works and after his response, the lawyer figured he probably knew more about it than the "expert" that was going to testify...
-Josh2
Posted by: Kargeek Oct 18 2006, 06:07 PM
Just do it - it's a great experience. Been there, done that on a jury.
Next time though, reschuedle for a friday or Monday. On Monday's the case loads are low as a lot of cases get plea barganed on Friday so, most of the time- your excused- done for at least a year.
DH
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Oct 18 2006, 06:21 PM
I got picked to be on the jury. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week with Thanksgiving week off. Expected to last till Dec. 6th. "Happy to be here." "Proud to serve." Some guy is suing 3 different companys. He settled with one while we were being selected. Be nice if he settled with the other two before the trial starts. The good news is the chairs in the jury box swivel and rock. I hope I can stay alert. At least awake.
Elliot
Posted by: TonyAKAVW Oct 18 2006, 06:28 PM
Wow, what a nice retirement gift!
No 914world.com I imagine.
-Tony
I got picked to be on the jury. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week with Thanksgiving week off. Expected to last till Dec. 6th. "Happy to be here." "Proud to serve." Some guy is suing 3 different companys. He settled with one while we were being selected. Be nice if he settled with the other two before the trial starts. The good news is the chairs in the jury box swivel and rock. I hope I can stay alert. At least awake.
Elliot
Posted by: Howard Oct 18 2006, 09:00 PM
Elliot,
Have you been selected, ie been thru voir dire and accepted by both sides? If not, say things like:
1] Personal responsibility
2] Buyer beware
3] Tired of frivolous law suits
4] Carry a copy of 'Runaway Jury'
Posted by: jimtab Oct 19 2006, 08:55 PM
now if only we were all HUNG!!! Ha!
You mean everyone is NOT??
I didn't mean like a 3 year old....
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