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Jury Duty
- Thread starter Salty
- Start date
I have received a summons and got out of it. I never got one until I was a mom and at this point, I'm the sole caregiver AND educator for my two kids. It would be burdensome to get someone to watch them AND teach them for the week. When they are big enough to stay home alone and/or are in school, I will be happy to serve, though.
I received a summons toward the end of my first pregnancy when I had severe toxemia and was on bedrest. My OB wrote a letter to get me excused. I received ANOTHER summons when my baby was about 1 month old and the letter said I could not get another excused absence. Huh??? Impossible to reach a human to explain I was a nursing mother who was still recovering from a difficult birth and phone messages to them went unanswered. So I showed up with my baby and took a seat in the juror waiting room. I was immediately "summoned" to the front as I expected and when I explained the situation they apologized profusely and said I would not be called for at least two years. That was about 25 years ago in CA. I was never called there again. I think I scared them! ha ha!
We moved to SC in 98 and I was called in 2001 and ended up serving. I have not been called since but my husband just got a summons in the mail a few days ago. He has received numerous summons over the years but has never been chosen to be on a jury. I would be happy to serve again.
We moved to SC in 98 and I was called in 2001 and ended up serving. I have not been called since but my husband just got a summons in the mail a few days ago. He has received numerous summons over the years but has never been chosen to be on a jury. I would be happy to serve again.
I looked forward to serving when I received my first summons but ended up having to ask out of it because there was nobody to watch my children. Well, I thought I had someone but she got all excited and kept telling me of ways to get out of it and what I could do and how she did so every time and it disgusted me so much that I didn't feel someone with no sense of duty towards others should be trusted with my children.
That was the only and only time I was called. I'm curious to see if it ever happens again. I know some people who've been summoned numerous times.
That was the only and only time I was called. I'm curious to see if it ever happens again. I know some people who've been summoned numerous times.
I have been summoned several times, but have never served. It is an not enjoyable experience sitting at the courthouse all day and it takes me away from my work, but it is a civic duty to do this.
The last time, we were brought in the courtroom. After being seated, the judge spoke to us for a few minutes. We could see the young defendant -- nice looking young man, clean shaven -- all American looking (obviously not guilty of whatever the charge was). The judge then excused us for lunch. Upon returning, we were instructed to wait outside. After a long while, the judge came out and told us the story. The defendant needed to see us - the potential jury - and see what was getting ready to happen. There was a deal on the table and he needed to either take it or be ready to go through the trial. The young man plead out and we were excused. No details were given by the judge - only the charge - sexual battery against a minor.
We then moved on to the next trial. We sat outside this courtroom for ages -- waiting and waiting, as each of the lawyers were discussing various pre-trial motions. At this point we anxious to get home. We asked the officer if there was any chance that this would be plead out like the other case. "No" was his emphatice reply and that this case (if you were selected) could go on for a while. Finally, it got so late that they decided that it was too late in the day to seat a jury and were finally excused. That one was a murder trial.
The last time, we were brought in the courtroom. After being seated, the judge spoke to us for a few minutes. We could see the young defendant -- nice looking young man, clean shaven -- all American looking (obviously not guilty of whatever the charge was). The judge then excused us for lunch. Upon returning, we were instructed to wait outside. After a long while, the judge came out and told us the story. The defendant needed to see us - the potential jury - and see what was getting ready to happen. There was a deal on the table and he needed to either take it or be ready to go through the trial. The young man plead out and we were excused. No details were given by the judge - only the charge - sexual battery against a minor.
We then moved on to the next trial. We sat outside this courtroom for ages -- waiting and waiting, as each of the lawyers were discussing various pre-trial motions. At this point we anxious to get home. We asked the officer if there was any chance that this would be plead out like the other case. "No" was his emphatice reply and that this case (if you were selected) could go on for a while. Finally, it got so late that they decided that it was too late in the day to seat a jury and were finally excused. That one was a murder trial.
SaggyWoman
Active Member
I wish they would put me on a jury. Heck yeah!!
David Lamb
Well-Known Member
I was selected, but at the time, I was a teacher responsible for music, in a school for children with special educational needs. The court case would have come at the time of a school musical performance. I phoned to explain that, although I was willing to do jury service, for me to be absent from school at that time would have caused great difficulties for the school, and because of their special needs, most of the pupils would not have been able to understand if their performance had to be cancelled.
I chose "Other". I suppose I could have voted for "I have received a summons for duty, but got out of it," but "got out of it" is a phrase that implies an unwillingness to serve.
I chose "Other". I suppose I could have voted for "I have received a summons for duty, but got out of it," but "got out of it" is a phrase that implies an unwillingness to serve.
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When lived in Australia I was able to obtain a permanent exemption, however this option is not available in New Zealand. This means every single time I have to explain the fear of sitting in on a case involving any violence and having to go through my history of traumatic abuse, which I find a bizarre situation as the court is in effect causing abuse by me having to dredge up stuff all over again...go figure.
ForYourGlory
Member
Called to serve again...
It's amazing this post is here. Just yesterday I received a notice from the municipal court to serve again. I served for the first time just a year ago in January. I found it to be quite an experience, and very interesting. It was a little intimidating at times, like when I was questioned in order to be on the jury by the prosecuting and defending attorneys. I must have done alright......they picked me! So we will see what happens this time, I will be sending out my form tomorrow.
It's amazing this post is here. Just yesterday I received a notice from the municipal court to serve again. I served for the first time just a year ago in January. I found it to be quite an experience, and very interesting. It was a little intimidating at times, like when I was questioned in order to be on the jury by the prosecuting and defending attorneys. I must have done alright......they picked me! So we will see what happens this time, I will be sending out my form tomorrow.
glfredrick
New Member
I have been summoned twice, served once, and yes, I did sit on cases.
I was the chairperson of the jury in several cases.
In one, a sad case of a widower father overseeing his 18-year-old severely autistic son, we remanded all of the son's citizenship rights to the father who had just lost his wife to cancer. The father was very loving toward his son, even wiping his runny nose with a very practiced hand.
At the end of our jury deliberation, I asked if the jury would mind if we lifted the father and his son up in prayer. I explained that I would not be offended if the jury decided against my request. They accepted my request, and jury, sheriff's deputy and even the judge all bowed as I prayed for the man and his son. It was a touching time, and perhaps the first time some of the people in that room had ever been exposed to true Christian prayer.
I was the chairperson of the jury in several cases.
In one, a sad case of a widower father overseeing his 18-year-old severely autistic son, we remanded all of the son's citizenship rights to the father who had just lost his wife to cancer. The father was very loving toward his son, even wiping his runny nose with a very practiced hand.
At the end of our jury deliberation, I asked if the jury would mind if we lifted the father and his son up in prayer. I explained that I would not be offended if the jury decided against my request. They accepted my request, and jury, sheriff's deputy and even the judge all bowed as I prayed for the man and his son. It was a touching time, and perhaps the first time some of the people in that room had ever been exposed to true Christian prayer.
I'm permanently excused now due to age, but I have served a few times.
I really did not mind it so much EXCEPT all the ridiculous waiting and waiting and waiting while the lawyers and judge talked/discussed/bantered/formulated/argued, etc, etc, etc.
I see no reason why all the pretrial "stuff" can't be dealt with BEFORE calling the jury into session, so that when the jury shows up, is selected, the trial begins.
I really did not mind it so much EXCEPT all the ridiculous waiting and waiting and waiting while the lawyers and judge talked/discussed/bantered/formulated/argued, etc, etc, etc.
I see no reason why all the pretrial "stuff" can't be dealt with BEFORE calling the jury into session, so that when the jury shows up, is selected, the trial begins.
I HATE BUREAUCRACY!!!
I'm permanently excused now due to age, but I have served a few times.
I really did not mind it so much EXCEPT all the ridiculous waiting and waiting and waiting while the lawyers and judge talked/discussed/bantered/formulated/argued, etc, etc, etc.
I see no reason why all the pretrial "stuff" can't be dealt with BEFORE calling the jury into session, so that when the jury shows up, is selected, the trial begins.
I HATE BUREAUCRACY!!!
How old are you? My dad is 85 and was called just a few months ago.
74! I guess each state/county is different. Here you can opt out @65, no questions asked.
Should the problems I noted ever be eliminated, I would probably be willing to serve again; BUT CERTAINLY NOT AS THINGS ARE NOW!!!!
Carolina Baptist
Active Member
I've been summoned 4 times.
1st time I was active duty Cost Guard. Excused.
2nd time I was a full time student at the community college. Excused.
3rd time I was seated for a civil case envolving a traffic accident.
4th time after they seated 12 the rest of us were sent home.
1st time I was active duty Cost Guard. Excused.
2nd time I was a full time student at the community college. Excused.
3rd time I was seated for a civil case envolving a traffic accident.
4th time after they seated 12 the rest of us were sent home.
I was exempt for many years, but was summoned three times, anyway.
The first time, I wasn't chosen. The second time, I was chosen, but the trial was over almost immediately. The third time, I was dismissed in the selction process because the prosecutor didn't think my political beliefs would allow me to judge the actions of the police fairly.
Got a nice little certificate signed by the governor for serving. It's hanging on my "Wall of Apathy", right next to a plaque I got for drinking 240 beers (not all at once...it took me about a year and a half), a picture of me with former Philadelphia Eagles' coach, Rich Kotite, and a congratulatory letter I got from Bill Clinton for founding a charitable organization.
The first time, I wasn't chosen. The second time, I was chosen, but the trial was over almost immediately. The third time, I was dismissed in the selction process because the prosecutor didn't think my political beliefs would allow me to judge the actions of the police fairly.
Got a nice little certificate signed by the governor for serving. It's hanging on my "Wall of Apathy", right next to a plaque I got for drinking 240 beers (not all at once...it took me about a year and a half), a picture of me with former Philadelphia Eagles' coach, Rich Kotite, and a congratulatory letter I got from Bill Clinton for founding a charitable organization.
Tom Bryant
Well-Known Member
Been summoned twice, served both times. One ended with a plea agreement. The other the state never proved their case so he was acquitted.