Getting out of jury duty (1 Viewer)

[offdee]

BACKGROUND: I was out of work for 3 months and just started a new job 2 months ago. 2 weeks into it I got a jury duty notification....I called the office and said I just started a new job and couldn't be out of work already so they delayed it for a month. Well that month is up, so I asked for another delay but it was denied. So now I have to report to jury duty selection on Jan 28th.

I really can't be missing work for any long period of time. It's a contract position so it would just be a bad look. And ultimately I just don't want to serve jury duty.

I saw a TikTok of some lawyer saying to get out of it, just literally tell them "I don't want to be here" and I'd get let go. Does this actually work? Outside of coming off as a complete racist, law hating tool (which I'm not willing to do), what are some other tips to guarantee me I don't get picked?

 

[Osaurus]

2 words: jury nullification

 

[offdee]

2 words: jury nullification

lol. Not going to mess with the process. I just don't want to be a part of it.

 

[Ilov80s]

2 words: jury nullification

lol. Not going to mess with the process. I just don't want to be a part of it.

My experience is if you go there and act like a whiny b—— you get removed. Mention jury nullification, say you don’t trust the police at all and want them defunded, tell them you think the prisons should opened up and people let out because the whole system is broken. If you can humiliate yourself to the point where everyone finds you so insufferable that they don’t want you around they will let you go.

 

[rockaction]

I think he's (Osaurus) saying that if you show up at the courthouse and hand out jury nullification flyers or somehow say that you're in favor of jury nullification, nobody is going to want you. But you've already covered that in the "law-hating tool" part of your OP. Whatever one thinks of jury nullification, the court will think you're a "law-hating tool" if you pull that. Most true jury nullification adherents try to slip through the process because jury nullification is met at every corner with scorn and approbation by the courts and judges. They do not like the ultimate check on law's authority. They will go so far as to announce in the jury instructions that you are bound by the law and that you can only determine the facts of the case (it's a law school thing—judges interpret law, juries hear and decide upon facts). I think they even threaten, but I forget what they threaten.

Anyway, my advice to you is to go and really think hard about reasons why you might not be the best to serve on a jury. If they want you, they'll try and assuage your fears and you're stuck. The best way to get relieved of jury duty, IMO, is to be unflinchingly honest. Think cops lie? When they ask you if cops lie at times, say "yes, they do lie at times." Think lawyers lie? Etc., etc.

You don't have to be racist or a law-hating tool to say something like, "everybody is human and it's the jury's job to decide the facts of the case as presented in the case. If that means that a police officer—who I would have tremendous respect for—seems to be lying, then I'll have to give it the appropriate weight."

Say **** like that. You'll likely be disqualified in no time.

 

[northern exposure]

If the judge or lawyers are female, tell them how you would rate them on the offdee scale. If they are male, critique their attire and suggest fashion improvements.

 

[Max Power]

I think they still excuse people for covid.

 

[Ilov80s]

I think they still excuse people for covid.

Just need a doctors note

 

[TLEF316]

Lots of different factors based on my very limited experience (I've only actually had to go to jury duty once, got up into the court room but they had the 14 they needed before my random number got called)

Its gonna depend on jurisdiction, what sort of case it is, what the lawyers are looking for in their jury, the judge's mood, etc.

From what I saw, these things worked.....

- If the defense attorney asks if you have friends/family in law enforcement and you say yes. Or if you just demonstrate a belief that the police dont ever lie and always go by the book. In the case I almost got pulled into, the defense's main argument was that the police had cut some corners and that the evidence chain of custody wasn't properly followed. One woman whose number got called said she had 2 uncles and a brother who were cops and she immediately got dismissed.

- After they sent us out for lunch, a couple people on the initial group whose numbers got called "admitted" that they googled the defendant's name while out on break. They got dismissed. I dont think this was an honest mistake. I think it was a ploy that they knew would get them bounced. The judge was NOT happy and I honestly dont remember if they got flat out dismissed or just got thrown back into the pool.

- one other woman wasn't comfortable announcing her reason in front of the court, so they did a side bar with the mic off and the judge dismissed her. Guessing she was maybe a victim of a crime at some point and didn't want to say it out loud.


These things did NOT work.....

- woman who claimed she was leaving for vacation in 2 weeks
- Man who claimed he had to take care of his kids and had to be home when they got home from school. Judge asked how old they were and he said 17 and 13. LOLZ. Nice try pal.

 

[Skipdog77]

So you want all the freedoms our country/communities provide, but not the responsibilites that go with it.

It's an inconvenience for sure, but that's why it's a "duty".

Going to miss out on prime "hottest judge on the circuit" schtick here though.

 

[Gally]

It's a contract position so it would just be a bad look.

How so? Everybody understands jury duty and the inconvenience and that you have nothing to do with it. It's just an obligation. I would be surprised if you get any negative backlash for it at this point. In my area there is typically a phone number you have to call the day before to see if you even have to go in. More often than not you don't have to go in and get told to call the next day. That process happens for a week. If you never get called in then your duty has been served and you move along.

If you do have to go in then usually it's a one day in the court and you have served provided you don't get put on a jury.


ETA: I love jury duty and being on a jury. I hope to get called in. The process is fascinating to me. Maybe I should have been a lawyer.

 

[Sammy3469]

Which state? In CA apparently nothing happens if you don't show up.

 

[Keith R]

During the jury selection process, the key words are "fair and impartial". If you tell them you cannot be fair and impartial, they won't select you.

That said, you will still have to go through the selection process. If your goal is to avoid the selection process altogether, you would need to report a significant (or communicable) illness or injury or some sort of emergency situation. You better have good proof after the fact though, like an ER visit.

 

[Max Power]

I think they still excuse people for covid.

Just need a doctors note

I thought they still let people self-identify. I had jury duty about a year ago and the reporting instructions told people not to report if they, or someone in their house had covid.

 

[rockaction]

Which state? In CA apparently nothing happens if you don't show up.

What makes you say this? I get jury duty like clockwork every three years and I show up and they're very serious about it. I don't think they could be more serious. Maybe you're talking Northern California or urban areas. I'm in a sprawling exurb. They need us on that wall.

 

[rockaction]

offdee, actually, don't do what I said. That sounds way too thoughtful and you might wind up on the jury. Alter it a bit to make it a little more bluntly honest.

 

[offdee]

Which state? In CA apparently nothing happens if you don't show up.

Nevada

 

[offdee]

During the jury selection process, the key words are "fair and impartial". If you tell them you cannot be fair and impartial, they won't select you.

That said, you will still have to go through the selection process. If your goal is to avoid the selection process altogether, you would need to report a significant (or communicable) illness or injury or some sort of emergency situation. You better have good proof after the fact though, like an ER visit.

This is good. I don't mind going in for a day or two and not getting selected. I just don't want to be out for a week or more.

I work from home, have a very busy portion of work that I need to/would like to be a part of, I have a dog that needs to be let out, etc. I know first world problems and nothing that can't be solved..I just don't want to do it.

 

[El Floppo]

I'm a believer in the jury duty process, and accept it as one of the most important (and few) things required of us as muricans. Much better than taxes. I've been selected twice.

That said, I was in a contract position during a major deadline one time I was called. Just couldn't afford to take the time to get called again to serve, but I still showed up for the mandatory time (NYC). Got called into voir dire once for a rape trial and told the attorneys during questioning that with a new daughter, I couldn't be impartial...which wasnt really true. Didn't get picked.

 

[El Floppo]

During the jury selection process, the key words are "fair and impartial". If you tell them you cannot be fair and impartial, they won't select you.

That said, you will still have to go through the selection process. If your goal is to avoid the selection process altogether, you would need to report a significant (or communicable) illness or injury or some sort of emergency situation. You better have good proof after the fact though, like an ER visit.

This is good. I don't mind going in for a day or two and not getting selected. I just don't want to be out for a week or more.

I work from home, have a very busy portion of work that I need to/would like to be a part of, I have a dog that needs to be let out, etc. I know first world problems and nothing that can't be solved..I just don't want to do it.

You may just sit in a room for the allotted time and not even have to say anything if you don't get called into voir dire

 

[offdee]

Got called into voir dire once for a rape trial and told the attorneys during questioning that with a new daughter, I couldn't be impartial...which wasnt really true. Didn't get picked.

This seems to be the way to go. Find out what the trial is about, then come up with a reason of why I can't be impartial. WA LA.

 

[Zow]

Shtick answer: Tell them you're ifriends with Woz from the internet (and a jurisdiction not terribly far from you) and you think all defense attorneys are so awesome you could never find a criminal defendant guilty.

Real answer: Be open and honest about your work hardship. Unless the judge has an unusually small panel, it should work to delay your service.

Don't be a tool and make some **** up like you're a champion for jury nullification.

 

[coopersdad]

or be like me (who actually wants to sit on a jury at least one time) and be #42 in a 48 member pool. They NEVER get to me to even ask me questions.

 

[Marauder]

Which state? In CA apparently nothing happens if you don't show up.

Nevada

I'm surprised they only allowed you to postpone it for one month. I'm in Clark county and I postponed mine for 90 days. Then it was just a call in to see if they need you to come in. I never had to go into the court at all. Of course, I scheduled it for just before Christmas when I figured it would be slow.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

It's a contract position so it would just be a bad look.

How so? Everybody understands jury duty and the inconvenience and that you have nothing to do with it. It's just an obligation. I would be surprised if you get any negative backlash for it at this point. In my area there is typically a phone number you have to call the day before to see if you even have to go in. More often than not you don't have to go in and get told to call the next day. That process happens for a week. If you never get called in then your duty has been served and you move along.

If you do have to go in then usually it's a one day in the court and you have served provided you don't get put on a jury.


ETA: I love jury duty and being on a jury. I hope to get called in. The process is fascinating to me. Maybe I should have been a lawyer.

I've lived in the same place for 25 years and only got called once. It was federal court no less. I was scheduled to travel out of town for state business during the time that I was called, so I indicated that on the paperwork they sent, and they excused me without me needing to show up. I was actually disappointed that they didn't reschedule me for the following month, and I'm disappointed that I've never been called for local jury duty.

 

[offdee]

Which state? In CA apparently nothing happens if you don't show up.

Nevada

I'm surprised they only allowed you to postpone it for one month. I'm in Clark county and I postponed mine for 90 days. Then it was just a call in to see if they need you to come in. I never had to go into the court at all. Of course, I scheduled it for just before Christmas when I figured it would be slow.

I do have to call in the night prior to see if I even have to go in. Keeping my fingers crossed I don't, just preparing for if I do need to go in.

 

[Marauder]

I lived most of my adult life in CA in the same county where my sister worked as a deputy DA for 30+ years (all the judges and attorneys know her). The two times I got as far as being called into the jury selection process, when they get to the point where the judge asks if anybody has and relatives in law enforcement, I raised my hand and explained who my sister was. The judge would never excuse me for that but both times I was excused by the defense attorney. I would actually like to serve on a jury sometime. Maybe now that I'm in NV it might happen.

 

[Gally]

I've lived in the same place for 25 years and only got called once.

In my near 30 years in the area I have only been called twice. But I am batting 1.000 as I made it to the jury both times. One was a two day trial on DUI that had a twist and the other was a 3 month long murder trial.

The DUI case was a twist because they guy was found asleep (passed out?) in the driver's seat and the cop never actually saw him drive. Unfortunately for the defendant he was at the bottom of a hill and the cop was patrolling the area and the car wasn't there on his way up and was there on his way back down (15 minutes later). His story also didn't match his BAC. He said he was so tired he couldn't drive anymore (it was 11pm) so he pulled over to sleep a bit. But he coudldn't sleep so he decided to pound a 40 oz Corona to help him sleep and it "tasted so good" he had a second 40 oz'er. The guy wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Both attorney's were in their first ever trials so it was a bit fun watching them fumble all over the place. The prosecutor was terrible. The defense attorney was pretty good. If we were ruling on competency of the lawyers the defense wins easy. Unfortunately for him the evidence was just too strong against him that he was screwed no matter what. We deliberated less than an hour.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

You will be under oath in the voir dire process so at least be aware you are in a sense testifying in a court under penalty of perjury. I know most people kind of ignore that so be ready for it if you plan to stretch the truth. Keep in mind your case could be a civil lawsuit, not necessarily criminal, although the majority of cases that go to trial most everywhere are criminal. The surest way to get out of jury duty is if you have some familiarity or connection to the judge, the lawyers or parties. I have had jurors stricken because they worked for companies who had hired one of the law firms in the case so had that familiarity which could cause a bias. In most cases, the process is that the judge can strike jurors for obvious reasons, then the parties each get a limited number of strikes. You want to make it easy for them to strike you for an obvious bias or inability to be impartial. In many places, if you look like someone who will show up on time every day and stay awake during the trial, you're already in the top half or so of the jury pool.

 

[NutterButter]

Tell em it's a financial hardship. You don't get paid for the time off. Just got out of a 3 week trial which is still happening. Medical malpractice case with naturally a lot of medical testimony. Just kill me.

 

[Zow]

Which state? In CA apparently nothing happens if you don't show up.

Nevada

I'm surprised they only allowed you to postpone it for one month. I'm in Clark county and I postponed mine for 90 days. Then it was just a call in to see if they need you to come in. I never had to go into the court at all. Of course, I scheduled it for just before Christmas when I figured it would be slow.

I do have to call in the night prior to see if I even have to go in. Keeping my fingers crossed I don't, just preparing for if I do need to go in.

Have a very detailed answer ready to explain your work hardship.

 

[SWC]

i like it when judges make the people who are saying anything to get out of being a good citizen sit in a cell for the duration of the trial yeah you didnt have to serve as a juror but you did your time take that to the bank brohans

 

[offdee]

if you look like someone who will show up on time every day and stay awake during the trial, you're already in the top half or so of the jury pool.

So show up disheveled and doze off randomly? Keep the $1K Jordans at home?

 

[offdee]

Tell em it's a financial hardship. You don't get paid for the time off. Just got out of a 3 week trial which is still happening. Medical malpractice case with naturally a lot of medical testimony. Just kill me.

This is a contractor position and I get paid hourly....so I wouldn't get paid for any time spent in jury duty. Is this enough to say I was out of work for 3 months and still digging out from that (not true, but could be possible for a non FBG)

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

I work from home, have a very busy portion of work that I need to/would like to be a part of, I have a dog that needs to be let out, etc. I know first world problems and nothing that can't be solved..I just don't want to do it.

It was about a decade in another part of the country, but while waiting in the room to see if we would be called (we were) I was able to work. No calls or anything, but otherwise do short to medium time frame tasks.

Once called back we were asked to come forward if we were ever a victim of a crime. I was. After explaining those to the judge and lawyers I was asked if I thought I could be impartial. I answered "I would hope so" or something similar. Later I was actually seated and accepted by both sides, but once all ??? (I forget the number) were seated the lawyers were able to remove jurors and the defense sent me home. Unless selected you were only there for a day. (Maybe a mistake as I think my bleeding heart was likely the defense's best hope.) Oh well.

Since then I have had a few cards sent my way, but haven't had to actually show up. One of the things those managing us potential jurors said was that as long as there were a large enough number of people that showed up, most cases settle. I can only guess on why.

 

[Zow]

You will be under oath in the voir dire process so at least be aware you are in a sense testifying in a court under penalty of perjury. I know most people kind of ignore that so be ready for it if you plan to stretch the truth. Keep in mind your case could be a civil lawsuit, not necessarily criminal, although the majority of cases that go to trial most everywhere are criminal. The surest way to get out of jury duty is if you have some familiarity or connection to the judge, the lawyers or parties. I have had jurors stricken because they worked for companies who had hired one of the law firms in the case so had that familiarity which could cause a bias. In most cases, the process is that the judge can strike jurors for obvious reasons, then the parties each get a limited number of strikes. You want to make it easy for them to strike you for an obvious bias or inability to be impartial. In many places, if you look like someone who will show up on time every day and stay awake during the trial, you're already in the top half or so of the jury pool.

Funny story on the bold. I did a jury trial last year in a very very tiny jurisdiction. Like, literally everybody knew everybody except me as the jurisdiction only had a few hundred people living in it. Judge did a good job warning me ahead of time and it was obvious we would have no panel if I moved for jurors to be struck for cause because they knew somebody. Funniest point was when two prospective jurors didn't indicate that they knew each other and the judge had to excuse the jury to go on record to explain that, yes, these two jurors knew each other because they are married. They just happened to be feuding at the time and it is their common practice to pretend that the other doesn't exist but the record needed to reflect that they did in fact know each other. IIRC the judge then struck them for their dishonesty. Regardless, point here is that the bold in only usually true.

@offdee the second bold is important for your purpose. In my jurisdiction, which is like a lot of them, the test is whether a juror can be "fair and impartial." Generally, if during voir dire a prospective juror says that he or she can't they will get struck. So, keep that in mind.

IMO people who lie to get out of jury duty fall into the same bucket as people who drive slowly in the left hand lane and don't put their shopping carts away in a grocery store parking lot. Though, for my client's sake, we probably don't want these losers on the panel anyway.

 

[Zow]

Tell em it's a financial hardship. You don't get paid for the time off. Just got out of a 3 week trial which is still happening. Medical malpractice case with naturally a lot of medical testimony. Just kill me.

This is a contractor position and I get paid hourly....so I wouldn't get paid for any time spent in jury duty. Is this enough to say I was out of work for 3 months and still digging out from that (not true, but could be possible for a non FBG)

It may be, yes. Again, have specifics like this at the ready. Claim financial hardship. In other words, don't dress like your normal self.

 

[Nipsey]

It depends on where you live. Over 20 years I got called for jury duty 8(!) times, plus once for federal court. Every time was awful. My court was downtown so I had to deal with an hour+ of rush-hour traffic each way. The closest I ever got to an actual trial was waiting in line outside a courtroom once (the defendant accepted a plea deal while we were in line). Other than that, it was just sitting in a stuffy room with hundreds of other people all farking day until they finally dismissed us. About 6 -7 years ago I read something that said over 70% of jury summons in my city are ignored and the city can't do anything about it. After that, my last two summonses went straight in the trash. I haven’t looked back since. I’ve done my civic duty more than enough.

 

[NutterButter]

After that, my last two summonses went straight in the trash. I haven’t looked back since. I’ve done my civic duty more than enough.

Was thinking about doing that and just saying never received it in the mail. They didn't quickly contact you?

 

[NutterButter]

Tell em it's a financial hardship. You don't get paid for the time off. Just got out of a 3 week trial which is still happening. Medical malpractice case with naturally a lot of medical testimony. Just kill me.

This is a contractor position and I get paid hourly....so I wouldn't get paid for any time spent in jury duty. Is this enough to say I was out of work for 3 months and still digging out from that (not true, but could be possible for a non FBG)

I'd think so. I get paid but I'd have to use vaca days and there's no way I'm burning 3 weeks of vacation days without a fight.

 

[Gally]

After that, my last two summonses went straight in the trash. I haven’t looked back since. I’ve done my civic duty more than enough.

Was thinking about doing that and just saying never received it in the mail. They didn't quickly contact you?

Now there is evidence on you two if you ever get a warrant out for your arrest. You should delete these comments to get rid of the evidence.

 

[Osaurus]

2 words: jury nullification

lol. Not going to mess with the process. I just don't want to be a part of it.

My experience is if you go there and act like a whiny b—— you get removed. Mention jury nullification, say you don’t trust the police at all and want them defunded, tell them you think the prisons should opened up and people let out because the whole system is broken. If you can humiliate yourself to the point where everyone finds you so insufferable that they don’t want you around they will let you go.

This is what I meant

 

[Nipsey]

After that, my last two summonses went straight in the trash. I haven’t looked back since. I’ve done my civic duty more than enough.

Was thinking about doing that and just saying never received it in the mail. They didn't quickly contact you?

I live in a big city (YMMV) and got a postcard a month later each time I chucked it saying i didn't report. Nothing else. If you live in a small town they probably will come after you harder. From what I understand, saying you didn't get it is not an excuse but I doubt they toss you in the slammer.

 

[Nipsey]

After that, my last two summonses went straight in the trash. I haven’t looked back since. I’ve done my civic duty more than enough.

Was thinking about doing that and just saying never received it in the mail. They didn't quickly contact you?

Now there is evidence on you two if you ever get a warrant out for your arrest. You should delete these comments to get rid of the evidence.

I just got a call. "Can I speak with Nipsey?" Hung up right away.

 

[offdee]

My approach will be this if I get called to appear...

1) Show up in sweatpants and looking disheveled. Borrow a poor neighbors ugly shoes. Seem uninterested and tired.
2) make it known I was out of work for 3 months and still digging out financially. I'm a contractor and get paid hourly so will not be getting paid for any of this time.
3) Find out what the trial is about, then come up with a reason of why I can't be impartial
4) Rate the judge a 4 on the offdee scale

 

[HomerSimpson]

I got out one time by saying "I have had numerous interactions with the police from (the jurisdiction)" and "found them to be liars and harassed me for no reason on multiple occasions" so I "don't Trust any of the evidence the prosecution may bring. I simply can not be fair". It was a mostly honest answer in that I had been arrested and let go by officers in that jurisdiction once.

 

[Nipsey]

My approach will be this if I get called to appear...

1) Show up in sweatpants and looking disheveled. Borrow a poor neighbors ugly shoes. Seem uninterested and tired.

You just described 95%+ of the jury pool.

2) make it known I was out of work for 3 months and still digging out financially. I'm a contractor and get paid hourly so will not be getting paid for any of this time.

While you're saying this the judge won't even look up from his phone.

3) Find out what the trial is about, then come up with a reason of why I can't be impartial

The judge won't see through this at all.

4) Rate the judge a 4 on the offdee scale

If the ranking is accurate the judge will be the hottest in the county.

 

[Ilov80s]

My approach will be this if I get called to appear...

1) Show up in sweatpants and looking disheveled. Borrow a poor neighbors ugly shoes. Seem uninterested and tired.
2) make it known I was out of work for 3 months and still digging out financially. I'm a contractor and get paid hourly so will not be getting paid for any of this time.
3) Find out what the trial is about, then come up with a reason of why I can't be impartial
4) Rate the judge a 4 on the offdee scale

Just be ready to be questioned and pressured by the judge and attorneys. You might need to be a real *** through the process. Depends what the case is, how backed up the court is that day, etc. but based on my experience your plan won’t work at all.

 

[Runkle]

Wear a T-shirt that says FREE LUIGI, you'll be dismissed before lunch

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

During the jury selection process, the key words are "fair and impartial". If you tell them you cannot be fair and impartial, they won't select you.

That said, you will still have to go through the selection process. If your goal is to avoid the selection process altogether, you would need to report a significant (or communicable) illness or injury or some sort of emergency situation. You better have good proof after the fact though, like an ER visit.

This is good. I don't mind going in for a day or two and not getting selected. I just don't want to be out for a week or more.

I work from home, have a very busy portion of work that I need to/would like to be a part of, I have a dog that needs to be let out, etc. I know first world problems and nothing that can't be solved..I just don't want to do it.

What kind of court is it? Most cases just don't take that long.