waltappel 1 #1 February 21, 2006 Yep, I am one of the few, the proud. I'm going to do my time with jury duty tomorrow. Jury Duty rocks!!! (except for having to be there at 8:00 am, that is.) Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #2 February 21, 2006 I did it for the first time about a year ago. Despite being wildly inefficient, I found the process kind of interesting. It was only the second time I'd been called (the first time I'd already moved out of the jurisdiction when they called me). Have fun - maybe you'll get something juicy."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #3 February 21, 2006 I actually had a pretty OK time a few weeks ago. Are you in Harris Co.? I don't know how it works other places, but if you're juror #18 or up, you won't get picked. I was #21, so I got to go, but it was way too late to go back to work, so I had to go home. Very nice timing. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #4 February 21, 2006 Just ask us if you need a character reference. We'll get right on it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #5 February 21, 2006 QuoteI did it for the first time about a year ago. Despite being wildly inefficient, I found the process kind of interesting. It was only the second time I'd been called (the first time I'd already moved out of the jurisdiction when they called me). Have fun - maybe you'll get something juicy. I consider it my opportunity to stick it to the man. I'm a true believer in jury nullification. If some poor son of a bitch is charged with an unjust law or the law was administered in an unfair way, then I will take that into account no matter what. The first time I got called was during the OJ trial and I desperately wanted to get in on a murder trial. I was the last juror picked. Unfortunately, while we were out during arraignment, he changed his plea to guilty and we were dismissed. Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #6 February 21, 2006 Once they stopped sending the requests registered mail, you didn't have to go. George Carlin, "I tell them, I'd make a great juror because I can spot a guilty person (snap) just like that."Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #7 February 21, 2006 QuoteI actually had a pretty OK time a few weeks ago. Are you in Harris Co.? I don't know how it works other places, but if you're juror #18 or up, you won't get picked. I was #21, so I got to go, but it was way too late to go back to work, so I had to go home. Very nice timing. Yep, Harris County. It works out kind of well because I just found out an old college roommate is in jail. Since it's right next door, hopefully I will be able to visit him. Good tip on the lucky number 18--thanks! Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #8 February 21, 2006 QuoteJust ask us if you need a character reference. We'll get right on it. But I'm one of those people who *want* to serve on a jury! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease, no character references!!!! (No way would they let me serve if they saw my postings here!) Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #9 February 21, 2006 I had a boss once who kept getting called up for jury duty, but the lawyers would always reject him. My boss was this brilliant PhD in Molecular Biology. It seems the last thing the lawyers wanted was a really smart person to be on the jury. Go figure. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #10 February 21, 2006 QuoteI had a boss once who kept getting called up for jury duty, but the lawyers would always reject him. My boss was this brilliant PhD in Molecular Biology. It seems the last thing the lawyers wanted was a really smart person to be on the jury. Go figure. I have heard they want dumbasses. I should easily qualify!!! My observation has been that jury selection is nothing but a mind game during which the prosecutor is trying to psyche out the defendant so he will plead guilty. You really have to pay attention so you can give them the "right" answers and get picked. Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindercles 0 #11 February 21, 2006 But do you get PTO for jury duty? 'Cause I do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveStMarys 0 #12 February 21, 2006 I WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH!!! YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!! Ooooh, this is going to be good!! Have fun...I think. BobbiA miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #13 February 21, 2006 QuoteBut do you get PTO for jury duty? 'Cause I do. I'm not sure, but I think I do. edited to add: I just checked. I get up to two weeks per year paid! Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #14 February 21, 2006 QuoteI WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH!!! YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!! Ooooh, this is going to be good!! Have fun...I think. Bobbi I'd love to be on the jury for the trial of some obviously innocent BASE jumper who has wrongfully been charged with criminal tresspass! Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #15 February 21, 2006 QuoteYou really have to pay attention so you can give them the "right" answers and get picked. From my experience doing jury duty one time, I'd say that's true. The only time I've had to show up for jury duty I got put in the pool for the penalty phase of a capital murder case. They had all of us fill out a long questionaire that asked our opinions on the death penalty and about our knowledge of the case being tried. For whatever perverse reason, I wanted to be on that jury; although my replies were truthful I did slant them a bit so I'd appear impartial. It worked. Spent a couple of months sitting on that jury. While I'd rather not do it again, I'm glad I did. It exposed me to the judicial system (something I had little experience with) and to the world of the violent criminal/prison inmate (something I had no experience with). I learned that neither one of them is a world that I ever want to live in... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #16 February 21, 2006 I got tossed from jury duty due to nothing more than my looks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #17 February 21, 2006 QuoteI got tossed from jury duty due to nothing more than my looks From what I hear if you look like you have an education then that can get you tossed in a hurry. I tend to "dress down" when I go, so I'll get picked. What did they not like about your looks? Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #18 February 21, 2006 QuoteFrom what I hear if you look like you have an education then that can get you tossed in a hurryWell, good to know. I've been selected twice now in Harris County (would have been a third time, but there was no way I could be impartial, and, well, I really didn't have the time then anyway, so I let them know exactly what I thought ). So -- you sayin' I look uneddicated? Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #19 February 21, 2006 QuoteQuoteFrom what I hear if you look like you have an education then that can get you tossed in a hurryWell, good to know. I've been selected twice now in Harris County (would have been a third time, but there was no way I could be impartial, and, well, I really didn't have the time then anyway, so I let them know exactly what I thought ). So -- you sayin' I look uneddicated? Wendy W. No, they were so intensely captivated by your beauty they didn't notice your wisdom.(am I out of trouble now?) Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowwhite 0 #20 February 21, 2006 I walked into the Jury room last week. There were 60 of us. Turns out the defendant and his attorney were not getting along well, so the judge was going to appoint a new public defender. We all got sent home. Interesting thing was, not a "person of color" in the place. This is a county where about 85 percent of our jail population is black...skydiveTaylorville.org freefallbeth@yahoo.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #21 February 21, 2006 Fortunately, I have my feet on a footrest, so I'm above that which is being slung Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #22 February 22, 2006 I had an interestign time selecting a jury. Now, for the first time ever, I actually want to be on a jury. Half of them didn't want to be there. Some of them had some pretty lame excuses. One guy was the worst - he said he was a business owner who couldnt' take time off. he was really bitter about the prospect of being on a jury. Knowing how stupid Plaintiff's case was, I WANTED HIM! I wanted a guy just like that to realize what a waste of time this case and this trial was. Plaintiff's counsel dismissed him. On the way out he told the attorney, "Smart move." If I'm putting people through this, dammit, I should see what it is like. And it would be great for professional development. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
