The Best Way to Get Out of Jury Duty (Seriously)

[iceman_419]

Incase I get chosen for jury duty again, two times in one month, My idea is to tell them that I'm just racist against all ethnicities, remember this is to get out of jury duty, but do any of you guys have any ideas?

[anarchy1999]

1. Just don't go, they have to send you a certified letter, otherwise you

never received notice. Works like magic.

[anarchy1999]

28. Get off this soapbox and go make your voices be heard, The Challenge

is 18 donors by noon. If you believe in "jury duty" and the rule of law, we might be missing something here.

[anarchy1999]

37. Just go read up on the real law in this issue and then come back, okay/

Now on the positife note, DU MADE 1,000 donations by noon on Sunday. Thanks to everyone that played a role.

[RoeBear]

2. How grown up of you...

...to act like a racist.

[iceman_419]

7. Not my line

Don't mean to be, the line is from the Simpsons when homer is telling bart how to get out of jury duty. I know it may have been offensive, and I"m sorry if it was. I thought more people may have been able to realize where the line was from

[Bunny]

3. I doubt that just saying that would work.

Why don't you go for jury duty? It's a vital part of our democracy, and the duty of every citizen.

[anarchy1999]

5. Sorry, I'm not a racist and I'm not shirking my "duty".

Turn me in.

The point is saying "it" is not it. Read your summons carefully.

[Bunny]

8. Huh?

:shrug: I don't understand your last sentence.

And how is trying to get out of jury duty not "shirking" your duty?

[greekspeak]

55. In theory avoiding jury duty is shirking your duty as an American

But the way things are these days, it is getting harder and harder to stomach this particular duty. The last time I got called I went because I was not enrolled in school at the time. I spent most of the day sitting and waiting for the smarmy lawyers to get their lazy butts to the courthouse. This was after, of course, going through hell and high water to get into the courthouse just to do my duty. Then, the smarmy lawyers spent the morning during selection talking to us like we were on trial, and being condescending. I was not chosen, either because I told them that I knew that I would have trouble being impartial, or because one of the witnesses was in the chain of command above me at work. I missed a day of pay-PT workers don't get any jury pay. I didn't even get lunch; I had to bring that and eat it in my car in a parking lot in a seedy part of town.

Maybe more people would not try to get out of jury duty if they did not get treated as if they were themselves criminals. Maybe less smarmy lawyers would help too. Maybe less frivolous lawsuits. Maybe simple restitution for time missed at work would help. Maybe if everyone had to serve jury duty equally. By the time I was 25, I had been called for jury duty, including a GRAND jury summons, more times than my 87 year old grandmother had been called in her life. The jury trial system originally instituted was instituted for a different kind of society, an agricultural society, and with less lawyers trying to make a quick buck and jamming up the court system with sue-happy clients.

[muriel_volestrangler]

33. I would have thought that someone with 'anarchy' in their user name

would have welcomed a system where citizens are chosen at random to judge cases, rather than leaving it to a professional subclass.

[Wabbajack]

23. Being forced to do work you didn't want to do

used to be called slavery.

[ulysses]

69. please tell me you're kidding.

Jury duty = slavery? :eyes:

[alarimer]

74. it is if you don't get paid for

I mean $10 a day is a joke. That's what it is here. If I had a job that didn't give me time off for jury duty and it actually cost me money to do so, I would be pissed to and do what I could to get out of it.

[ulysses]

77. your employer is required by law to give you time off for jury duty

and, I *think*, to make up the difference between your jury duty pay and what you would normally make during a workday. I could be wrong about that last, or it could vary by state.

Even if not, it's still your duty as a citizen.

[alarimer]

80. I don't know

I work for the state so I get paid leave for jury duty but in another state, I actually had to take time off from work (no pay at all). So you'd better believe that I would try to get out of it. And I wouldn't blame anyone else for trying to get out of it. Three or four days out of work with no pay is a lot for some people. I think the jury system is a joke anyone. Most people are so stupid- they will be swayed by emotion and not by facts. They don't want educated people on juries. They hold a lot of product liability cases here in Corpus because the population is so uneducted here. They get some huge awards too. The whole thing is a crock.

[ulysses]

81. erm...

Most people are so stupid- they will be swayed by emotion and not by facts.

Perhaps the problem is with the society and how much we're willing to invest in education, rather than with the jury process.

Even if not, I'd like to know what the alternative to citizen juries might be.

[goclark]

29. Everyone needs to go to make America free!

My boyfriend is a lawyer. I often go to watch him select the jurors.
As an African American,living in an urban area, I am always shocked at the response of the citizens!

Ninety eight % of the time,I can spot the rednecks a mile away! I always give my guy ideas of questions to ask. My questions usually work.

Most of the time the judge will start off with the, "can you be fair to everyone" stuff. The redneck,usually white male but not always, will say,"of course I can be fair!"

Ask the same question to African Americans and a large segment will answer,"No." Why, because they are being honest and they are not slick enough to play the system like a Redneck.

If it is a case involving a police officer that is White,some African Americans may say, " No, I can not be fair to any White Cop!"
As soon as they say that they usually get thrown off of the jury.

Now I agree that some of the African American jurors say that simply to go back to work to feed their families. But, others say it because they are so angry with the system that the words just pour out of their mouths. The pain of racism is just so deep,especially for the older African Americans.

If you ask Joe Redneck what radio programs he likes to listen to, he'll say it with a badge of honor, with a strong voice," Rush Limbaugh etc. etc. etc."

I say all that to say this, if you are a fair and liberal person, the system NEEDS you to be there!

Please take the time to be a juror! Show up for JUSTICE.

[Cassandra]

4. I don't want to encourage anyone to avoid a serious civic duty...

by lying, however, some strategy is allowed. I try to schedule jury duty to begin on a Thursday. If I don't get picked for a jury on Thursday, most of the courts don't start anything on Friday and by Monday, there is a new group of potentials arriving, so they let us go after a day and a half. I have gotten off of grand jury duty (1/2 days for a month) by stating the truth; I'm self-employed and have no staff. Remember, someday, if you get into trouble, you wouldn't want to be facing a jury of vengeful, unforgiving freepers.

edit:spelling

[anarchy1999]

6. In Dallas you show up on Monday and quite possibly will spend the

rest of the week there for nothing. Jury duty is a volunteer obligation, not a duty subject to criminal prosecution. Read up on it carefully.

[Cassandra]

13. That's a drag.

In NY, they changed the rules a few years ago to insist that everyone eligible be called but that if you weren't called for a jury within one or two days, you'd be let go. Part of what makes that possible is improved scheduling ability; if you can't manage the date they pick for you, you can choose a date that works better. And you have 4 years when you're untouchable. Rather than avoiding jury duty, maybe you could take up the cause of making it more fair and efficient. The last time I got stuck in jury duty (not on a jury)for TWO weeks (which used to be standard for NYC), I finished most of a needlepoint project.

[AngryAmish]

16. Not voluntary

They can literally place you into custody on the street and seat you. You do not have to vote and there is no longer a draft. But you do have to do jury duty.

[Bridget Burke]

42. That's Dallas for you!

In Harris County (Houston), you're called in for the AM or PM. You sit & wait until you're called for a panel. When all panels are filled, you're let go. Last time I went, I was picked for a panel but none of us were questioned. We waited outside the courtroom until a deal was done; then we were given "excuses" for work & let go.

I once served 2 days on a civil case. Mostly, I've been let go after a couple of hours waiting.

But a radical Anarchist dude like you should have no problem getting out of your duty!

[Cassandra]

52. I was nearly placed on a civil case...

that had taken over 9 years to get to trial (one of the few times anyone was picking a jury on a Friday) and when we got back from lunch, we were told we could go home. I asked the clerk what happened and he told me that the plaintif was missing a critical document, so they were going to have to reschedule. Unbelievable stupidity!

[Xipe Totec]

60. I've Served In Juries in TX and MA

Both criminal and civil. Frankly, I've always enjoyed the experience, even the times I did not get selected to serve.

I once served on a civil jury and listened to testimony for a whole week only to have a mistrial declared because a witness misspoke during testimony, realized it, and informed the lawyers of the mistake. Even that case was not a waste of time for me. It gave me confidence in the system to see a self-correcting mechanism in action.

My problem is that you are as likely to be rejected if you are too eager than if you are too reluctant to serve. And perhaps that is as it should be as well.

[iceman_419]

10. how about this

What if you use poly-slyabic words, I heard that works too.

[Cassandra]

20. I think that being a NYTimes reader...

got me booted off one jury.

[rocktivity]

46. That's probably true, Cassandra

I read a story in the Village Voice about potential jurors being asked what newspapers they read. Those who said they read the Voice didn't get picked.

As for me, I dutifully reported for jury duty twice when I lived in New York City, but got booted every time. It was because I was an advertising copywriter. Apparently the least desirable quality in a juror is creative thinking.

:headbang:
rocknation

[meegbear]

9. I don't what state you are in ...

but in MA, you are supposed to have 5 years before you can be called again. Check your state laws; more than likely, you won't have to be in the panel.

BTW, I find it disturbing when people try to get out of jury duty; no better than people who whine about politics and don't vote.

[anarchy1999]

14. BS! If you only knew or were aware of how it works in Texas.

n/t

In addition, how about all the employed who can't afford the time off and employers who give no aid and are no help. Can you help with that one?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

11. Here's some things that may help:

1. If you have a hearing loss or trouble with vision, this could preclude service.

2. If you have strong convictions on things, like the death penalty, this could get you out of a capital case (I'm totally opposed to the death penalty, and doubt seriously if I would ever be called for this kind of case).

3. If you are too enthusiastic, they might decide you are a nut case ("Oh yes! I get to serve on a jury! Goody Goody Goody!")

I've been alerted that I might have to serve jury duty, but have never been called. Frankly, I could probably use all three of these excuses to get out of it--but I don't know that I'd want to.

Oh, one other thing that might get you out of duty is if you know the defendent or the attorneys and have formed prejudicial opinions about them ("You Honor, I know the defense counsel, and I think he's a lying scumbag. Just wanted you to know that...")

[LisaL]

12. Guilty-he is guilty, I can just tell by looking at him.

I guess you can tell them you can determine if the defendant is guilty or not by just looking at them.
:silly:

[carpetbagger]

84. "He's guilty your honor."

This worked for my dad when he got called up in a case involving some idiot who shot someone while doing target practice in his garage or something.

"Do you have any opinions about the case Mr. ..."

"I read the papers. I have little kids. He's guilty, your honor."

"Dismissed."

Fortunately for me, my long hair and M.D. will likely get me struck by both sides.

[markses]

15. Ha! That's when the judge puts you on the most mind-numbingly

boring contract/ financial tort case possible. "Racist? Try being racist about this minute contract dispute between two white guys, which will require you to sit through hours of testimony about numbers and arcane contract tort law that sounds like you're hearing a lifeless rendition of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Eat it, beeeee-atch!"

That's what the judge will do. And I would be laughing and laughing and laughing and laughing. Do your damn jury duty and STFU.

[AngryAmish]

17. Jury duty is your obligation

We are all in this together. If you don't sit someone else does. Do you really think you are that much better than the next person?

I have also seen people held in contempt of court, fined $500 and had to sit in the jury room for 5 days when caught lying about why they could not serve. Potential jurors are sworn before voir dire to tell the truth. Lie, and you might catch a perjury beef.

[Guava Jelly]

18. I would love to do jury duty but i cant afford to miss work

I never worked for an employer that would pay me for it

[AngryAmish]

21. What about those folks in Iraq?

Honestly, that is a major disruption in their lives. Just tell the truth. Do you think that there would be a fair jury pool only made up of the non-workers? Please. Vast majority of trials around where I live are done in less than 3 days.

Everyone says they can't afford it. They will ask you why you think you can't serve. Tell them the truth -financial hardship. But really think hard about if you are such a special case that you can't serve. Look around the jury room and see your fellow Americans who are willing to help out.

[meow2u3]

19. I just tell the truth

I have ADD, and that alone prevents me from paying attention to a trial long enough to process the events, thus preventing me from contributing to a jury and coming to a just conclusion. I just miss bits and pieces of the trial, much like I would talking on a cell phone with a weak signal.

[Malva Zebrina]

22. I was called for jury duty many years ago

at the time it was impossible for me to leave the job (I am a RN there was no one to take my place) I needed to write a letter to the judge and I did and was excused.

I would serve willingly now, since I am retired, but I have not received any calls since then and that was years ago. I suppose I could write to someone and have my name put back on the list.

[lil-petunia]

24. It's a huge part of being an american

besides, think of the freepers who love being on juries. You have a roll to play. It is critically important for this nation.

[SheilaT]

25. States vary

in just how they obligate you or excuse you. Lots of states have gone to the pool system where you either get picked within a day or two or you're excused. And lots of trials are no more than two days.

States should obligate employers to pay for missed time, although that would clearly cause a hardship to very small businesses and the self-employed.

If you really think juries should be composed entirely of retired and unemployed and Oprah Winfrey (she served just this past week), then find out what, if any, excuses sent in ahead of time will excuse you from even having to show up.

The one time I've been called for jury duty I wound up sitting all the way through the voir dire and never even being questioned. It took the entire day to pick the jury (it was an insurance fraud case)and I was so sorry I didn't get to do be on the jury.

[LoZoccolo]

26. No other nation on this earth places as much trust in its citizens...

...to decide legal cases. Think about that before you mess around with this important civic duty.

Besides, some jurisdictions have limits on how often you will be called to serve. In Chicago, if you get called, then you have fulfilled your duty for one year.

[gatlingforme]

38. Well, what about a "country" trusting it's citizens to vote for a pres?

I do not understand your assertions that only the US would be so bold as to trust it's citizens to debate legal matters and decide the outcome? You make it sound as if citizens are a bunch of dim-wits who should be thankful the nation puts so much trust in it's citizens. This nation is defined by it's citizens.

[LoZoccolo]

45. No other nation offers a guarantee of a jury trial as a right.

And I'm not calling everyone a dimwit, I'm saying that he should have more respect for this unique quality of our system. It would be the same as if he said "I found a way to skip voting".

[gatlingforme]

48. Good point then, I stand corrected. Thanks for the reply.

[BritishHuman]

50. *cough* They don't?

It was proposed that certain cases not be heard by a jury here recently and was howled down.

And I'm thinking "Guantanamo Bay", right now.

[LoZoccolo]

82. Well, the government doesn't always keep its promises.

If they did, then the ACLU would have nothing to do. But you know what I'm talking about.

[JPJones]

27. Say, "I like to weigh the facts and come to my own conclusions" nt

[Enraged_Ape]

30. Act like you have a brain (or if you have a brain, no need to act)

I got called to jury duty and could not believe the depths of stupidity many of my fellow draftees plumbed every time they opened their mouths during the voir dire process. And I was appalled to see that the dumbest of these dumb were all chosen to sit on juries. These were people that I was amazed could tie their own shoes, let alone sit in judgment of an accused person.

When attorneys look for potential jurors, they are really looking for people who see a case the same way they do, or--failing that (which they often do, because the opposing side wants the same thing)--someone who has NO OPINION ON ANYTHING WHATSOEVER. Unfortunately this also translates as someone who has the I.Q. of a hamster.

So go in wearing a sharp business suit, eyeglasses, and carrying a dog-eared copy of Kant's "Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics". They will send you home the same day.

[AmerDem]

31. jury duty should be looked at like voting

It's not a right it's an obligation. Did you ever think we are in this mess we are in ( shrub being selected not elected )because people just started dropping out of the very things that made our country so great?

[goclark]

47. Well stated n/t

[Nikia]

32. I'd like to be on jury duty

My employer pays employees for days they miss due to jury duty. I think that should be legally the case for all employers that are of a certain size or larger.
I remember my grandparents telling me that they had to report for jury duty the next day. My grandmother was concerned that my grandfather was going to say "I don't believe in the jury system."
He got excused before that because he was a retired police officer. I think that statement might work though.

[in_cog_ni_to]

34. I liked being a juror.

It was a very interesting process to watch. They first chose a jury for a local murder case....which I wasn't chosen for. Then, they chose a Coronor's jury and I was a juror for the County Coronor. We had to rule on whether a death was an "accident", "murder" or a "suicide" for current deaths. I was more than happy to serve and liked seeing how the process worked. :hi:

[medeak]

36. ditto

It was a great experience...also learned from toxicologists how much one can drink an hour before being dui..

no really..it was great. And once serving they can't call me again for quite awhile. Live in small town with small jury pool drawn every year. It's more annoying to constantly be called and using excuses to get out of it than getting it over with.

[BritishHuman]

51. Me too!

I sat around for two weeks, read a couple of books (Bad Wisdom and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) and did one trial - a heroin dealer whose defence was embarassingly bad.

In fact, we found him guilty of possession and only really found him guilty of dealing because he swore he no longer had a heroin habit.

Before sentencing he told his solicitor that he did, in fact, have a heroin habit so prison would be a hardship. Didn't cut much ice with the judge.

[Red State Rebel]

85. I sat on a jury for a drug case

It was stressful, but I was glad I did it. The guy was dealing meth. Once we convicted him we had to do the sentencing recommendation and my comment was there is no such thing as a good drug dealer, we recommended the maximum - 9 years.

[davsand]

35. Right up front, I want urge you to do the jury duty.

It can be a pain in the butt-it never comes at a good time in your life, and it is a lot of hurry up and wait--but it will give you an insight into the legal system that you may not ever get any other way.

Having said that, I want to give just a bit of insight into the jury selection process. The respective lawyers are there looking for the optimal juror for their case. They really are just looking to score the most favorable panel of jurors for that particular client/case.

The entire process of voir dier (questioning the jury pool) is designed to ID who would make a juror that meets the qualifications the attorney is looking for.

To cite one example, if you have a guy who was injured riding his motorcycle, and he's suing the insurance company of the guy driving the car who hit him;

As the plaintiff's lawyer you would like to find as many people as possible who have no issues with motorcycle riders or maybe even people who have a kid that rides a motorcycle or ride themselves.

As the defense attorney for that insurance company, you want as many people on that panel as you can get who think that anyone who rides a bike is crazy and a doper/wild child. You want as many people as you can get on that jury that think ANYONE who rides a motorcycle is ASKING for an accident.

Most of the cases are pretty minor stuff, really--driving with an expired license and some breaking and entering cases, maybe a few civil cases like liability cases and personal injury stuff. It isn't all murder cases and high drama like Perry Mason, LA Law or some other TV show.

You will be AMAZED at the lack of public speaking skills a lot of the lawyers demonstrate, and you will be horrified at some of those elected judges and what they allow in the courtrooms.

Just my two cents...

Laura

[Cassandra]

61. I was the last of two people left...

in the pool for one alternate position in an assault case. I thought the defense lawyer was slimy and was setting the jury up to be scammed but what was really annoying was that he kept jingling the coins in his pocket and the noise was getting me nuts. As we were getting ready to break for lunch, I told the court clerk that I wanted her to tell the lawyer that if he didn't stop shifting the bullion in his pocket, I would be hostile to him when I was called. By the time I got back from lunch, the other person was the alternate and I was excused.
The scam I was expecting was that he kept saying that the victim was very much smaller than the defendent (who was not in the room) and that he hoped we wouldn't use his client's size against him. I suspected that the defendent was actually normal size and we were being set up to say to ourselves that he wasn't so big.

[tjwash]

39. Why don't you go?

I urge everyone to do it at least once. It's a good experience, and it's a great way to get a better look at the system.

Don't be like shrub and lie to get out of it. We liberals are supposed to be better than that.

[AP]

40. It's a crime to lie to get out of jury duty.

[BrotherBuzz]

41. Wear a cheap thrift store brown suit....

with a pocket full of mothballs and you'll be home by noon. Lying ain't right and will only bite you in the butt.

[Snellius]

43. Say the phrase "frivolous lawsuit" or "guilty as hell" very loud

If either side thinks you're prejudiced one way or another, you're out. All you have to say is that you don't think you can be impartial. Which is often the truth.

[alfredo]

44. As an experiement, when called to serve, I decided to be brutally

honest. I told the truth about my feelings toward the players in the case, or the relationship I had with the lawyers, and in one case, I knew the plaintiff. By being honest and candid, I was excused from every case.

what does that say about our system?

[rasputin1952]

49. Personally, I find it an honor and part of my civic duty...

to serve on a jury. I take it seriously enopugh, to make sure the prosecution proves it's case, or I stand my ground on innocence.

I think everyone susceptible to Jury Duty, should w3atch "12 Angry Men" before they go into an experience like that. The trial is usually boring, but what happens in that room, is what really counts...:)

[YellowRubberDuckie]

53. If you make it clear you know and understand the law...

You'll be out before lunch. They like ignorant people on their juries...and in a death penalty case if you don't believe in the death penalty, they'll excuse you pretty quick.
Duckie

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

54. Having a young child

like age 10 and under seems to work. I've gotten jury questionnaires twice since moving to Florida three years ago(for some reason they have never sent any to my husband). I always say I can't serve because I'm primarily responsible for the care of my son (22-months-old now). I am a stay-at-home mom and I don't have anyone who can babysit for me, so this is a valid excuse. I not been selected yet.

[JVS]

56. Isn't that a homer simpson quote?

Just go on tangents about how all mush be punished

[kodi]

57. tell 'em your religious beliefs include the theory of jury nullification

Next!

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

58. Usually, they can't call you more than once in a 6-month time. Call. Ask.

And as to your strategy? They won't send you home. You don't get asked those questions by anyone but lawyers. Then, of course, they won't pick you for a jury, but they still won't send you HOME. They'll park your ass in the jury room where you'll sit all day, every day, never getting on a jury. That's much worse than being on a jury.

[NicoleM]

59. Tell them you're lactating.

.

[69KV]

62. Don't get out of jury duty (seriously)

Liberals should really take jury duty seriously. I know it's a nuisance and gets in the way of other things like work but a fair justice system depends on fair jurors who will make an honest and fair decision based on all the evidence, and not just rubber-stamp what the prosecution wants.

Peoples lives and futures are at stake, and hinge on the decision the jury makes. If liberals make a habit of avoiding jury duty that just means somebody else is going to sit on the jury in your place, who may or may not have as strong a commitment to the things liberals do like civil rights and liberties.

Don't mean to preach here. If you absolutely gotta get out of jury duty tell them your reasons and if they are legit you'll be excused. I personally wouldn't advise going on record as being a racist, surely there are better ways to go about it.

[underseasurveyor]

63. I've been called for jury duty numerous times.

And not ONCE have I been fortunate enough to get picked to stay on through trial. Damnit! :mad:

Here in my state when your name is drawn, you're on the list for three months at a time. Sometimes you don't get a single notice. Other times you get called 3 or 4 times within that three month period. And not once has it been at a court house near by. No, gotta drive 90 miles to Sioux City, but ya know what? I gladly do it as often as they called me. We must do this for each other and ourselves.
How selfish is it to piss and whine and moan about having to get up, drive a gazillion miles and sit in a chair and listen, when someones freedom is hanging in the balance? Aren't the scales tipped far enough against already?

The bias attitudes of potential jurors with their preconceived notions and hearing how they answer some questions? God it's no wonder so many innocent people get convicted.


I'll slip`n`fall off my soapbox now ;-)

[elperromagico]

64. Show up in a medieval executioner's outfit,

and announce in your deepest voice that you believe all crimes merit the death penalty.

[JohnLocke]

65. LOL!

"Jaywalking too, Judge."

[underseasurveyor]

67. That is pretty funny.....gggggggiggle n/t

:spank:

[Wapsie B]

66. I prefer to look at it this way.

We're all beside ourselves in the unlikely event that chimpy should actually win this time. This would allow him to pack the SCOTUS with rwingers. But they don't even have to go this far to affect change in the judicial system. All they have to do is make sure there are enough pod people are on enough juries in order to enact the change they want. I've seen it firsthand. Get a wingnut past the screening process and it's full speed ahead to sending another person to jail.

We all talk about doing our part in the process here. Jury duty has got to be right up there with voting.

[underseasurveyor]

68. Hey a Hawkeye

:hi:

[Wapsie B]

73. Back at ya bro!

:hi:

[underseasurveyor]

76. I know it's no fair

Since I don't have the 'preference' marked in my profile, but I be a bro-ette ;-) No worries though LOL :hi:

[Feanorcurufinwe]

70. Why not tell the truth? if you believe in the 4th and 6th amendments

you will be dismissed by the prosecution.

[ulysses]

71. oh, just do the duty.

I served on a jury ten years ago - easily the stupidest civil trial ever brought in American history. I kept falling asleep in the (very warm) courtroom, much to the judge's annoyance. But it *is* our duty as citizens.

[underseasurveyor]

72. Not only is it a duty

I like to think of it as an honor. What if we were not allowed participation, at all, in the process? We'd be screaming like banshees that we should.

[alarimer]

75. I don't know where you are

But here in Corpus Christi I have been called twice in a year. The lst time I almost didn't get my notice because the post office was not forwarding my mail and it was still at my old apartment. Anyway, here they assemble the hundreds of people called on a Monday morning in thre central jury room in the County courthouse. They assembled panels for the various courts. Both times I have been put on a panel but they settled all the cases so no jury was needed. We were sent home after noon the first time and the last time I was back at work by 1 pm and I was on call for jury duty for two days but they never called. So depending on where you live, you might not even get on a panel.

[TowelBoy]

78. Are you kidding?

I pray if I ever got into trouble to get people from the DU rather than FreeRepublic. I could see it now:

"Look at him, he's got long hair, the kids an anarchist or maybe even a communist. I say we fry him."

"But he's only been accused of ."

"OH, YOU'RE A COMMUNIST TOO, HUH?!"

"No, no, never! You're right, he needs to die!"

:eyes:

[cheezus]

79. Don't go to jury duty; not entitled to complain about the OJ verdict

or you could just tell them you hate criminals

I mean, if he got arrested and put on trial, he's obviously guilty of something, right?

[Dogmudgeon]

83. Be related to/Date/Work for a Cop

Having an in with the cops is the number one reason for being excluded from a jury. It literally works every time.

When it doesn't, you know that the defense attorney is a complete idiot and the defendant is going to fry -- even for jaywalking -- and after a very short trial.

--bkl

[Rhiannon12866]

86. I used to be able to get a doctor's excuse, but I am fine, now

I was called last fall, and reported, but wasn't chosen. I thought that they could only call you once in four years, but this may just be in NY State.:shrug:

[SoCalDem]

87. Bring your child with you.. Tell them you cannot afford a sitter

If the child has a runny nose or is a loud screamer, you get bonus points :)


seriously...

GO..

DO YOUR JURY DUTY.. IT'S EASY AND IT'S ONCE A YEAR..
YOU WILL WASTE A DAY, GET SOME READING DONE, WATCH SOME FOX TV AND THEN YOU'RE OFF THE HOOK FOR A YEAR :)