Jury Duty

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:37 am

Here I sit in King County Courtroom, one of hundreds of potential jurors selected to wait for 2 days to see if we are selected to work on a specific case. I had never even been sent notice to appear before, so I feel fortunate. Hopefully others will be selected before me. My civic duty is being fulfilled and I am thrilled there is access to the web so I can work on the newsletter.

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:10 pm

Roy,
Now you know how I feel spending countless hours at the "hurry up and wait building" as I call it.

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:27 pm

Just tell them you need your daily dose of Port to make an efficient judgement

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:42 pm

Frederick Blais wrote:Just tell them you need your daily dose of Port to make an efficient judgement

Jay Powers · Post by **Jay Powers** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:22 pm

Roy

You don't know how lucky you are, I have been called up every year for the last nine years (ever since I moved to CA and registered to vote here). My wife has never been called. I only ended up serving once, but boy it's a little disturbing being called each year when none of your freinds, neighbors, or wife are ever called.

I guess the court system has recognized my wide ranging intelligence and astute legal mind

Jay

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:21 am

Jay,

Either that, or they know that it is in the public's best interest to keep you away from Port for a few days, once every year or so!

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:42 pm

So, were you selected?

I was once, about 15 years ago, it was good fun. The case was a bit nasty but the experience was something I will always remember.

Since then I've only been in court twice, unfortunately on those occassions I was in the box with only one seat

Derek

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:33 pm

Nope, not selected. What amazed me was that there were 400-500 people each receiving a check for being called to do our civic duty. Well under 200 people were going to be screened for the trials that day and 250 or more people are getting paid for sitting around. IF that is a typical day, I'd bet over $1 million dollars is wasted in that way ... just in one small courthouse in WA State. Multiply that by all of the court houses everywhere and I would have to think this comes out to a waste of some very serious amounts of money. All I can think of is that if it were equally distributed amongst all the active members of this FORUM ... we'd have much nicer stocks of olf VPs in the cellar!

Rich Greenberg · Post by **Rich Greenberg** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:24 pm

In San Mateo County, CA, you only get a per diem ($15/day) if you come back for day two. Day one is not compensated at all...... I just got called recently (seems like every 14 months for me), as well.

As a history major, I am actually somewhat intrigued by the process and wouldn't mind serving on a jury. The problem I have is that I am a commissioned sales person and sole provider for the family. If I don't work, I don't sell, and I don't get paid...... If they could guarantee a trial of 3 days or less, I'd be a lot less apprehensive about that mailer!

Cheers,
R

Todd Pettinger · Post by **Todd Pettinger** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:15 pm

I have yet to be called for Jury Duty as well, although I am fortunate to work for a company that will compensate you in full if you are selected. You do have to sign over the small cheque that you are given (I think it is $5 or 15 a day - much like San Mateo county apparently!)

I had a friend serve a couple of years ago on a very public, very nasty case. He was emotionally beaten when that was over. A little girl was kidnapped, molested and killed. He said it was quite literally the worst three weeks he has ever had to endure.

I'm not sure I could do it, being a father... although I would likely be screened out for some kind of response given to the line of questioning by the lawyers in the selection process. All they would have to do is ask my opinion of whether Canada should bring back a death penalty for the murderers of children, disabled, elderly, etc. - I would be kicked off any potential jury within seconds.

Alan C. · Post by **Alan C.** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:01 pm

I'd like to do Jury Duty. I'd knit a jumper with 'Guilty' on the front. Maybe thats why no one has ever selected me.

simon Lisle · Post by **simon Lisle** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:08 pm

I had one knitted saying it wasnt me

Todd Pettinger · Post by **Todd Pettinger** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:19 pm

Another person I know (he's not very bright) tried to get himself excused by claiming that he had preconceived notions about all coloured people being guilty. They dismissed him immediately but carved him out of the crowd and had a guard escort him to a boardroom where he sat for the remainder of the day. At the end of the day, a lawyer from the crown prosecuter's office then came in asked him if he would like to change his story after explaining to him the severity of impeding the justice system in the manner that he had attempted. A good 6 hour sit and a 5 minute chat had him nearly ready to break down... amazing what time can do!

Since that fateful day three years ago (or so) he has been called for jury duty 6 or 7 times... I've lost count. I think they put him on the "let's harass this clown as much as we possibly can as he is a poor example of a human being" list.

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!

T