Jury Duty. Tell Me About It.
Type jury duty into Google and the first search result is “Tips For Getting Out or Serving….” incredible. Well that certainly explains why I am always told only stupid people fail to get out of Jury Duty. Stupid people? What does that say about our justice system.
I received my first jury summons this past week. I report to the Blair County courthouse on February 28th, 2008. I am anxious to go through the experience and even more excited at the opportunity to serve. Call me naïve but what an opportunity. Given that this is my first time to step into the jury box I am anxious to hear some stories from those who have jury experience.
What should I expect? Any tips for the day? I would love to hear your stories and after February 28th I will share my experiences.
Thanks for your stories. -----Juror 279.
Comments
court jester
If I was called, I'd take my sketch pad and pretend I was the courtroom artist. Of course, being a cartoonist, everyone taking the stand would resemble the Browns and VanPelts from the Peanuts strip. cory g
I enjoyed it
I was called once for jury duty when I lived in Cambria County. I found the experience to be not only interesting, but enjoyable. I was selected for the trial, but while the rest of the jury was being selected, there was a settlement and the trial was cancelled. I was there for about half a day, with about 200 others. In the course of the morning, we chatted, we worked on whatever we'd brought along (some knitting and sewing was being done, lots of reading; I took a writing assignment along). It requires patience, to be sure, but at the end, I felt it was not time wasted. It was one of those days, like election day and April 15, when I really felt like a responsible citizen, and I was proud of myself!
take a newspaper.....
ugh, well it is interesting, the process and all, and the government at work aspect. however it is truly a tedious and lengthy process. the 1st time i wasn't even chosen, the 2nd i was picked right away and dismissed....but even that took till 11:30.
you're given lots of instructions, herded thru a lot like cattle, and more instructions. then you'll go to one courtroom or another, and that judge will give you instructions LONG!! they'll start selecting a panel, and start asking that panel ?'s, then more tedium of ppl going to the judge for private chats...ugh. ever heard about ppl and excuses??? yeah.
ppl told me too how dumb i was to get chosen.....i was not too excited either. i lucked out tho...the day before i was to report the guilty guy plead guilty! so i;ve never done trial...and that i am pretty sure you CAN'T take a paper to!!!
Thanks
I will take along some thing to read. I have heard similar stories. People have been selected but never got to sit in on the trial. I probably will not make it that far but should be interesting.
Clay hardens by immobility – men's minds by standing pat. Both lose the power to take new impressions. (Pinchot 1910: 138)
jury duty
Just do it!! It's the best learning experience of your life!! It was truly fascinating!