Jury Duty- What's the play? (1 Viewer)

[johnnycakes]

I wasn't considering not showing up for the first date/orientation. I am considering saying just about anything in regards to getting dismissed from the jury duty though.

Then do that, it's not difficult.

Just don't be too stupid. It's not like judges are easy to fool or take kindly to the tactic. I tried a case a few years ago where it was obvious a doosh was trying to get tossed from the jury. The judge did just that. Then he ordered the sheriff to detain him for the rest of the day.

That's the one attractive thing about being a judge for a living. These god-like powers over others. In this day, though with sentencing guidelines and all... too bad judges are being reduced to mere messenger boys. The title is a misnomer. One would think a judge should use his own best judgment. But nope, they have their increasingly restrictive roles to follow, too, I guess.

 

[Christo]

I wasn't considering not showing up for the first date/orientation. I am considering saying just about anything in regards to getting dismissed from the jury duty though.

Then do that, it's not difficult.

Just don't be too stupid. It's not like judges are easy to fool or take kindly to the tactic. I tried a case a few years ago where it was obvious a doosh was trying to get tossed from the jury. The judge did just that. Then he ordered the sheriff to detain him for the rest of the day.

That's the one attractive thing about being a judge for a living. These god-like powers over others. In this day, though with sentencing guidelines and all... too bad judges are being reduced to mere messenger boys. The title is a misnomer. One would think a judge should use his own best judgment. But nope, they have their increasingly restrictive roles to follow, too, I guess.

 

[ghostguy123]

1. In my experience, 12 days notice is not uncommon. That's about what it would be in my jurisdiction. Calling out a jury is time consuming for court staff and trials are very rarely affirmed to be going much more than two weeks out. So, no, 12 days is not unreasonable (even if your summons was supposed to be sent 30 days out). I recognize you were military. You fought to protect our constitutional rights. This is one of them. Sometimes assuring these rights are inconvenient for some.

2. Generally, whether you get out of serving is up to the judge. Read your summons and follow the instructions on them. You may be able to call ahead of time. You may not. Note: your stated hardship is not terribly compelling. Generally, judges are unlikely to excuse a potential juror unless that juror may literally lose his job or his job requires him to be out of town or some such. Simply you missing out on overtime may not cut it. Many people are far worse off than you.

3. The jury process and methods of service can vary depending on jurisdiction. It's unlikely anyone on here can predict exactly what your obligations will be.

4. You've been issued a court summons. That's an official court order to attend on the specified date and time. It's possible you could be in violation of a law and could be arrested if you don't appear. Consult with an attorney in your jurisdiction regarding your specific options - not some messageboard.

I don't think you have to consult an attorney if you get a summons, you just report when told.

But he doesn't appear to want to report. Accordingly, if he's considering not reporting, he should consult an attorney licensed in that specific jurisdiction regarding his options or potential consequences (if any) if he chooses to not report.

Pretty sure he never said he isn't going to report on the date he was told. Never even hinted at it. He said he doesn't want to get stuck there for a week or more and lose upwards of over a grand that he badly needs.

He also is NOT trying to "duck" jury duty. He clearly stated he would merely wish to delay it, if that is possible.

People do really read what they wanna read, dont they.

Oh come on. Stop this holier than thou approach.

In his OP he makes statements like, "I'm supposed to report" and "ducking jury duty is not something I really want to do." He also indicates that he's "frantic" and indicates that he thinks it unreasonable that he be forced into doing something a couple of weeks in advance.

The italicized qualifies, in context, generally suggest that the speaker is considering doing the opposite. His indication of being frantic also very much suggests he's likely considering other options aside from the straightforward one. Finally, he's indicated that on his own summons it provides an option of getting out of it so long as he appears - yet the fact he started this thread suggests he isn't satisfied by that answer. All those things considered, it's certainly very plausible that he's considering, at least to an extent, not showing up and ducking this round of jury duty.

Exactly, you are reading what you wanna read. That isnt what he said.

He said he is going, and he would much prefer to DELAY serving if it needs to be for a week or more.

 

[ghostguy123]

Now, I work nights as a Registered Nurse in an Intensive Care Unit. When I work, I leave home at 6 PM and get back home at 8 AM. When I call out, it must be before 5 PM. I've talked to folks nearby that have done jury duty in my town, and have been told that they had to call in at 530 to find out if they had to report the following day. In other words, I would be completely unable to work during this period.

Talk to your supervisor or HR. You're not the first night shift employee to get jury duty. They can accommodate you for a month.

But they don't have to accommodate him for a month. He has to report the first day then be on-call.

I read the above as he's not allowed to make calls on-duty (otherwise, I'm not sure what his issue is). They'll let him call the jury line.

No...the problem is that I can't call out of work after 5 PM, but I wouldn't know if I had jury duty the next day until at least 530 PM.

It's not like my work can be postponed or done another day. If I'm not there, someone else has to go in or my coworkers have to pull extra patients, which can degrade safety.

So if they have 24 1/2 hours notice instead of 25 hours they won't be able to find a replacement for your shift?

Yep. pretty much. As an RN myself, they are pretty strict on these deadlines for various reasons.

 

[ghostguy123]

Just go. Not difficult.

Going = not difficult

The fallout of losing thousands of dollars = difficult

 

[ghostguy123]

Just go. Not difficult.

I think he agrees that showing up for one day isn't difficult. It's the effect that being on call for a month has on his work that's difficult.

Personally, I think you explain everything to the judge. If he doesn't defer you, I would go about work like you normally do.

If you find out Monday at 530 that you have to show up Tuesday, go to work, then show up for jury duty but tell your work you can't work Tuesday night.

I would think that your managers must have some kind of way to make this work. Surely, you're not the first one there this has happened to.

Sort of, but not really. Keep in mind a hospital unit is not like some other job where they can just run short for a shift, espcially in the ICU. Thye need to know well in advance who can work, otherwise they call everyone else until they get a firm committment from someone.

Which means, he will lose all the extra time he was getting, meaning a loss of quite a bit of money.

 

[ghostguy123]

I am a nurse and work 7p-7a. I also used to have a weekender position which would have made jury duty horrific.

My response? Dont register to vote. Problem solved.

not true

Not true in all states apparently. Went over this

 

[ghostguy123]

Didn't read your post, but let me guess. You're super busy and or really important at your job so there's no way you can take the time away to do your civic duty.

Constitution requires the government to provide for a trial by jury. That doesn't mean you need to impose a civic duty upon individuals.

Very true.

If you state your case and they allow you to get out of it, pretty obvious that they are not mandating you perform that civic duty. They will find someone who can.

 

[renesauz]

Didn't read your post, but let me guess. You're super busy and or really important at your job so there's no way you can take the time away to do your civic duty.

No, my real complaint is that that civic duty shouldn't:

1. Entail a full month "on call"

2. Be forced on short notice

I'm on board with the concept of jury duty. What I'm not on board with is the ridiculously short notice and apparent lack of flexibility. I'm questioning why it is this way.

 

[belljr]

Didn't read your post, but let me guess. You're super busy and or really important at your job so there's no way you can take the time away to do your civic duty.

No, my real complaint is that that civic duty shouldn't:1. Entail a full month "on call"

2. Be forced on short notice

I'm on board with the concept of jury duty. What I'm not on board with is the ridiculously short notice and apparent lack of flexibility. I'm questioning why it is this way.

its not normally unless it varies.here we get plenty of notice and then can personally schedule up to 12 months out

 

[renesauz]

Didn't read your post, but let me guess. You're super busy and or really important at your job so there's no way you can take the time away to do your civic duty.

No, my real complaint is that that civic duty shouldn't:1. Entail a full month "on call"

2. Be forced on short notice

I'm on board with the concept of jury duty. What I'm not on board with is the ridiculously short notice and apparent lack of flexibility. I'm questioning why it is this way.

its not normally unless it varies.here we get plenty of notice and then can personally schedule up to 12 months out

That's how it should be everywhere, but obviously it is not like that in most places (sounds like it's more common the way it happened with me). I would think this would work better all the way around since it then becomes much more difficult to claim inconveniance.

 

[cstu]

Didn't read your post, but let me guess. You're super busy and or really important at your job so there's no way you can take the time away to do your civic duty.

Constitution requires the government to provide for a trial by jury. That doesn't mean you need to impose a civic duty upon individuals.

Very true.

If you state your case and they allow you to get out of it, pretty obvious that they are not mandating you perform that civic duty. They will find someone who can.

Doesn't it defeat the purpose if people are there against their will? If I'm on trial I don't want 12 renesauz's on the jury angry about losing money by being there.

 

[ghostguy123]

Didn't read your post, but let me guess. You're super busy and or really important at your job so there's no way you can take the time away to do your civic duty.

Constitution requires the government to provide for a trial by jury. That doesn't mean you need to impose a civic duty upon individuals.

Very true.

If you state your case and they allow you to get out of it, pretty obvious that they are not mandating you perform that civic duty. They will find someone who can.

Doesn't it defeat the purpose if people are there against their will? If I'm on trial I don't want 12 renesauz's on the jury angry about losing money by being there.

Probably. I suppose the idea of whether or not a jury of your peers even makes sense would be a whole other fun discussion.

 

[Tom Servo]

Didn't read your post, but let me guess. You're super busy and or really important at your job so there's no way you can take the time away to do your civic duty.

Constitution requires the government to provide for a trial by jury. That doesn't mean you need to impose a civic duty upon individuals.

Who are getting for a jury, Einstein? Aliens?

 

[dparker713]

Didn't read your post, but let me guess. You're super busy and or really important at your job so there's no way you can take the time away to do your civic duty.

Constitution requires the government to provide for a trial by jury. That doesn't mean you need to impose a civic duty upon individuals.

Who are getting for a jury, Einstein? Aliens?

Making it a civic duty imposes an obligation on individuals instead of keeping the obligation on the government. Currently the government uses force (subpoena) instead of enticement.

 

[Zow]

Didn't read your post, but let me guess. You're super busy and or really important at your job so there's no way you can take the time away to do your civic duty.

Constitution requires the government to provide for a trial by jury. That doesn't mean you need to impose a civic duty upon individuals.

Who are getting for a jury, Einstein? Aliens?

Making it a civic duty imposes an obligation on individuals instead of keeping the obligation on the government. Currently the government uses force (subpoena) instead of enticement.

This is one point on this issue that I actually agree with you on. Nothing is worse than beginning a trial with much at stake and getting a jury pool filled with people who clearly don't want to be there.* I'd be all for some sort of professional jury system.

*Aside from talking to jurors after the verdict has been given and realizing that they found the way they did because of some totally irrelevant fact or factual conclusion nonsensically drawn.

 

[Christo]

Didn't read your post, but let me guess. You're super busy and or really important at your job so there's no way you can take the time away to do your civic duty.

Constitution requires the government to provide for a trial by jury. That doesn't mean you need to impose a civic duty upon individuals.

Who are getting for a jury, Einstein? Aliens?

Making it a civic duty imposes an obligation on individuals instead of keeping the obligation on the government. Currently the government uses force (subpoena) instead of enticement.

This is one point on this issue that I actually agree with you on. Nothing is worse than beginning a trial with much at stake and getting a jury pool filled with people who clearly don't want to be there.* I'd be all for some sort of professional jury system.

*Aside from talking to jurors after the verdict has been given and realizing that they found the way they did because of some totally irrelevant fact or factual conclusion nonsensically drawn.

Yep.