Jury Service (Should I?)

[Michael_UK]

I've been called up for Jury service and I need some advice. I've got to make the decision today.

Should I do it (as a citizen) or try and weasel out of it?- It is possible to ask for a deferral (You can probably see which decision I'm leaning towards).

I'm a phd student and it's in my home town, 120 miles away. I'd miss giving a presentation and some undergraduate teaching I do, plus a two day trip to Scotland.

What do you reckon? (As far as I'm aware, the system is pretty similar here in the UK as it is in the US)

[matcom]

1. tell them you are a racist, sexist, homophobe who wants to strangle babies

works every time :D

good luck

[Ian David]

2. Hardship deferral

Deffinitely.

Do your duty, but try and find a more reasonable time.

[SCDem]

3. I'd ask for a deferral

which isn't putting it off or not being a good citizen or anything like that.... Just be as polite as you can be about the deferral and I'm sure you'll get it.... That's what I did here in the US a couple of years ago... no problem, no lies, no guilt.... just the facts!

[shesemsmom]

4. With your current circumstance I'd try to get out of it

I wouldn't want to miss that trip. Otherwise I'd serve

[notadmblnd]

5. I've always served mine

I've served twice in District Court and once in Federal. I always thought it was pretty interesting.

[Ian David]

6. I showed-up for mine, but all the defendents plea-bargained

Instead, I got to watch the first 45 minutes of Air Force One in the jury room.

The judge wanted to make me foreman because I wore a suit and brought a leather portfolio.

[MemphisTiger]

7. The rules depend on your state

but most allow students that may hurt their progress to defer to a better time

[Michael_UK]

8. I'm not sure now

I was thinking I should just do it and hope it doesn't last too long. The people I spoke to at the court this morning explained how it was my duty (and to an extent I agree)

Thanks for advice everyone

[tjwmason]

10. They'll always say it's your duty

Which it is in many ways, but the deferment option is there for reasonable exceptions.

I know of people who have got deferment for pretty trivial reasons, which is leading many to worry that the entire middle-class (those who are willing to make a fuss and get deferment) will be avoiding it. Personally, I would find your circumstances to be reasonable for deferment.

[tjwmason]

9. Explain your circumstances

I got called up as an undergrad; it was in the middle of exam time which made it pretty impossible, they were happy to defer and I haven't heard anything since.

Given that your university could be claimed as your usual residence (during term time), travelling 120 miles would seem to be unreasonable.

I'd always do it if I were called now, but living 500 miles away in Scotland as I was, it was pushing a tad too far.

[Michael_UK]

11. I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure - aah!

I really can't make my mind up. The trial starts next Thursday

[Frogtutor]

12. Under circumstances like yours, I would try to get out of it

honestly, if possible!

I really learned a lot from my experiences on jury duty, and enjoyed it as a learning experience, but it didn't cause a hardship in my life at the time. I've been called several times, but I've only gone twice, and got picked for the jury both times.

I say accept it when it comes at a more convenient time in your life!

Here, (I don't know if the laws are the same all over the U.S., or if they vary by State, County, etc.) I'm pretty sure you can get out of it just by being an enrolled college student (seems like I used that excuse at least once) and also if you have a child under the age of 10 in your primary care that would be left unattended if you served (used that one several times). There are other excuses as well, but I can't remember them all!

[MemphisTiger]

14. I know here that if you are the primary person in your small

business and your company would suffer financially without you there, you can be excused from jury duty

[crispini]

13. Asking you to travel 120 miles and miss a trip is excessive, IMO.

i've gotten called for jury duty 5 or 6 times and have never had to put up with THAT much -- just miss a day of work and go downtown.

[yellowcanine]

15. Rules vary but full time students can usually be excused.