Spinoff on Jury Duty.. .. am I the only one?

Am I the only one who was ok with going for Jury Duty? I know it sounds stupid but I kinda find it my 'American Right'. Jim can't vote, can't serve on jury. I can. I served on a Jury for a real dirt bag who beat his wife and stole her money and other things.

It was tough and hard cause we had to let him off on a few counts because the case was really badly presented.

I kinda felt glad I was one of the ones to say this guy was a menance to the public. I just don't understand why people loath it so much. I know you have to sit around for days for 'nothing' or just to be asked questions and sent back out to 'wait' but Im all ok with that. It's not all for 'nothing' in my mind.

Am I the only one who thinks like this? Granted I am paid by salary and we don't lose pay for being on Jury Duty. I was out for 2 and a half weeks. Maybe it's the money?

Apparently since I served I wouldnt be called for another 5 years.. but I moved. Now im back into the hat, per se, since Im in Nassau now instead of Queens.

Im sorry maybe Im just strange. *shrug*

In general, I wouldn't mind being on jury duty but my company doesn't pay us.

We get the $40 a day for 3 days and then you use vacation or sick time you have on the books or you get nothing.

I would basically do or say anything within my power and reason to not get on a case. I would fear being without a paycheck for weeks on end and I simply can't afford to do that.

Not strange.

I have only been called once and it was that thing where you call in the night before too. The only reason I was upset was it was the SAME week as my vacation! I had to cancel everything because they would NOT cancel my jury duty because I couldn't 'prove' I was going anywhere (which I was, to a friend's place in DC, but I was driving down and no airplane ticket or hotel reservation to prove).
And to top it off, they didn't need me anyway, I kept calling in and they would say anyone from last name starting with L-Z didn't have to come in and then by Tuesday night they said no one had to come in. My vacation was ruined and I couldn't go see my friend Wednesday on since she told her boss that she didn't need that week off anymore. Grr!

Otherwise I think I would have enjoyed doing it. The only thing I think people get ticked off about is stuff like that and the fact you have to sit around a very long time sometimes. Other times you are stuck with other jurors who don't care about the justice system and want to say anything to get out or you have the ones that want to go over everything with a fine tooth comb (which, I guess, you should). But it's what our country was built on, it's better than just being sentenced without the chance to be found guilty or not.

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Posted by Xelindrya

It was tough and hard cause we had to let him off on a few counts because the case was really badly presented.

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I'm not running out to sign up for it...but I accept it when it comes...but in the one jury I served on we had to let him go on the more severe charges...and that really bothered me...especially when the judge told us about all his previous and pending convictions after the trial...


if I didn't get paid...i think i would be pissed though

i had a great time when i served on a jury.
of oucrse, i had just graduated college and had no job - so it was nice to get a pay check and write out graduation thank yous.
but i enjoyed it - i was the foreperson of the jury, so i got to read the verdict....it was very exciting.

I dont mid Jury duty....its the damn waiting around to see if you are picked for a jury that annoys me. at least now, you have the call in option. I remember years ago, people used to get called for 2 weeks, no call in, no 3 days served either.
I just went so I am good for another 4 years! and it seems I get picked every 4 years!! I guess I am one of the lucky ones!!

I didn't mind serving on jury duty when I went...I only had to be there for 2 days and I didn't get called to any trial, wasn't so bad.

I have to be honest - it p*sses me off sooooo much when people avoid jury duty. And my best friend is the biggest perpetrator of this - she's never serverd even though she was called 3 or 4 times. I believe it is your civic duty, and when those of us who are intelligent, educated and rational do everything in their power to get out of it because it doesn't pay well enough compared to their day jobs (my best friend's reason-grrr!) it really angers me. People wonder why juries make the decisions they do that have no bearing on the facts provided in a case -- I know why -- its because a majority of people who are actually capable of absorbing the facts and making a rational decision are finding the loopholes to get out of J.D. and most of the people that are left are falling asleep on the bench and aren't really capable...JMHO

You're not strange. I agree 100%.

I served jury duty a couple of years ago and thought it was a great experience. Granted, my company didn't dock me for the time out (3 weeks) and the commute to the courthouse was much more pleasant than my long commute to work.

If I'm ever in a situation where I am on trial, I'd want people like me on the jury. I kinda felt it was my obligation to serve.

I was the foreperson! My jury convicted two punks of many of the charges brought before them...assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, assault on a police officer, possession of gun, possession of drugs, etc. It was a little overwhelming but satisfying to know we did our part.

I agree. I got called in right after taking the bar exam! That made it even more interesting. I was made an alternate juror, but it settled midway through.
I feel it's my obligation as an American to go when called, DH on the other hand, does not and it makes me so mad. He doesn't vote either!!!

I don't mind jury duty at all. I actually like playing detective a bit, trying to figure stuff out!! However, I do hate the timing. They seem to hit you with it at such bad times. I just got a questionairre about a month ago and I have this feeling, they are going to summon me for jury duty in February. Hopefully I'll get out of it since I am getting married and I will be away on my HM for 3 weeks.

PS- I am a Law & Order addict, so this stuff all fascinates me.

I have never done jury duty!!! It's funny, I have been at a few jobs where I would have LOVED to been called and never was!!! Meanwhile, during college I was called quite a few times and always deferred. My problem with it is that they always seem to call me at the wrong times!! I am guessing I would enjoy it!!

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Posted by eroxgirl

I believe it is your civic duty, and when those of us who are intelligent, educated and rational do everything in their power to get out of it because it doesn't pay well enough compared to their day jobs (my best friend's reason-grrr!) it really angers me. People wonder why juries make the decisions they do that have no bearing on the facts provided in a case -- I know why -- its because a majority of people who are actually capable of absorbing the facts and making a rational decision are finding the loopholes to get out of J.D. and most of the people that are left are falling asleep on the bench and aren't really capable...JMHO

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I agree 100%. You always see these cases settle and think 'what the hell was that jury thinking?' and you hear all these people whine, yet when those same whiners are asked to sit around for a few days on the off chance they can make sure justice is served then they whine about waiting.

I agree, it's our civic duty. I was shocked when I was picked (i was foreperson cause that's the chair I ended up with). It was shortly after 9/11. I was technically injured (on medications and under orders to go easy on my legs). They asked if I had ever been through a tramatic situtation.. 'Uhmm yah'. Also I have an extensive background in Insurance and specifically claims. This case was about a supposed physical attack in public, seven counts of rape, unlawful imprisonment, use of a deadly weapon, possession of a deadly weapon, grand theft and other nasties (14 counts in call). Why pick an insurance person? Heck one of our other jurors was an employee at St. John's law school.

It made for a very interesting delberations. We spent 2 weeks at court and 2 and half days in deliberations. We all took it very seriously. Im proud of what we came out with. We did the best we could.

I just remember sitting there waiting and hearing people whine and cry 'I know if i say XXX I can get out, no biggie.' I easily had an excuse, but I didn't want an excuse, besides as some of those people found out, it's better to just serve!

The judge was nice enough to send me a Xmas card that year. hehe I kept in touch with some of the other jurors as well. Even gained a part time job proctoring at St. John's Law School, go figure!!
heh