Just got a summons yesterday. Anyone else have to serve recently?
I just have to call in or check the website every day for two weeks to see if I'm needed in person. The biggest thing that annoys me is that I gotta pay for my own parking if I do have to go in.
Gonna hit 'em with some jury nullification if I get the chance.
I’ve been called twice in my life. Both times in Cuyahoga County where I had to go spend three days each time in the jury waiting lounge. Never made a jury either time. Parking was reimbursed - so I had that going for me, which was nice.
posted by justincredibleGonna hit 'em with some jury nullification if I get the chance.
Yeah, let that "civic duty" stuff for somebody else.
Never had it happen to me.
Had an old coworker get out of it by saying he took diuretics and would have to get up to pee a lot.
posted by Trimmer36Yeah, let that "civic duty" stuff for somebody else.
If I end up on a jury and disagree with the charges jury nullification is perfectly legitimate. So you can stop with your disappointment.
posted by friendfromlowryNever had it happen to me.
Had an old coworker get out of it by saying he took diuretics and would have to get up to pee a lot.
LOL
It's annoying, but I'm definitely not trying to get out of it. I kinda want to get called in just to see what it's like, but I'm certainly not gonna be upset if I don't.
Have been called twice but am able to avoid it due to being a straight commission sales rep. My co-owner sends them a letter and I'm excused.
posted by BR1986FBHave been called twice but am able to avoid it due to being a straight commission sales rep. My co-owner sends them a letter and I'm excused.
I did get out of it once maybe 10 years ago because I was one of three employees at the small company I worked at and without me there it would've set the company back two weeks. Boss wrote a letter and it was accepted.
Now I work for a megacorp so I'll take the paid "time off" if it comes to it.
My wife said I was summoned another time and I requested a delay because we were going on vacation the week I was scheduled and was never called back in. I vaguely remember this.
Was summoned for a murder case with possible DP 15 years ago. I gave them four very good reasons not to pick me, one of them being I went to school with the lead detective, knew him pretty well. Didn't matter, I still ended up being juror #1.
Been called five times over the years (Mrs. Z has never been called). Always parked at the shopping center and took the bus. Can't imagine what parking costs in downtown Cbus nowadays.
I got paid time off for all of my summonses, but the feds would make me turn in the check from the county. Think they've changed the rule since then.
posted by justincredibleIf I end up on a jury and disagree with the charges jury nullification is perfectly legitimate. So you can stop with your disappointment.
Disagreeing with the charges because you think the law is wrong or too harsh, etc.? Or disagreeing because the person is innocent in your eyes? Former, thats bullshit excuse to use the power of a Jury to be the law. Latter, its not jury nullification, its just being a jury.
I am with the people who hate those who try to get out of jury duty. If I am ever arrested on a charge where I am innocent, I would hope I get legit people on the jury, with jobs -- wealthy, middle-class, poor, etc. Not just the poor who cant get out of this stuff. It's not a true representation of your peers.
I firmly believe (maybe largely influenced by a lawyer father and federal judge uncle) that if you believe in the constitution as a building block and the foundation for our entire country, coming up with an excuse to not serve on the jury is one of the biggest hypocritical thing you can do. And if you are caught giving a bullshit reason, you should be charged. And no, a company needed all employees at all times is not a legit reason. I am stunned a judge allowed you out. WTF did that company plan on doing if someone got sick?
/soapbox
posted by Laley23Disagreeing with the charges because you think the law is wrong or too harsh, etc.? Or disagreeing because the person is innocent in your eyes? Former, thats bullshit excuse to use the power of a Jury to be the law. Latter, its not jury nullification, its just being a jury.
I am with the people who hate those who try to get out of jury duty. If I am ever arrested on a charge where I am innocent, I would hope I get legit people on the jury, with jobs -- wealthy, middle-class, poor, etc. Not just the poor who cant get out of this stuff. It's not a true representation of your peers.
I firmly believe (maybe largely influenced by a lawyer father and federal judge uncle) that if you believe in the constitution as a building block and the foundation for our entire country, coming up with an excuse to not serve on the jury is one of the biggest hypocritical thing you can do. And if you are caught giving a bullshit reason, you should be charged. And no, a company needed all employees at all times is not a legit reason. I am stunned a judge allowed you out. WTF did that company plan on doing if someone got sick?
/soapbox
You may think it's bullshit. I don't, and it's perfectly legitimate. IF I get on a jury, AND I disagree with the law, I am 100% within my rights to vote my conscience.
As for getting out of it back then, it was 10 years ago. I don't know nor care anymore.
posted by friendfromlowry
Had an old coworker get out of it by saying he took diuretics and would have to get up to pee a lot.
Think smarter, not harder!
First time I went there was this nice old lady in the pool everyone liked, sort of an elderly Aunt Bea with bad emphysema, and she was so excited to be called. During her voir dire she had to stop several times to cough and rattle and hack and catch her breath. Sounded a little disgusting, lol. We saw the prosecutor and defense attorney look at each other and shake their heads discreetly, and the prosecutor said, "Ma'am, you're excused". We all felt bad for her, but would've been quite a distraction during trial if she had been chosen.
The chances I get call are already slim, and the chances it's a case where nullification makes sense even slimmer, so I probably wouldn't get too worked up over us having different philosophies.
I've been on grand jury twice. That shit is for 3 months.
posted by justincredibleThe chances I get call are already slim, and the chances it's a case where nullification makes sense even slimmer, so I probably wouldn't get too worked up over us having different philosophies.
I understand it isn't illegal. I am not sure I would consider it a "right". It's a loophole in the system because there is no way to prove the jury simply didn't feel the prosecution failed to prove their case -- even if they clearly did and the jury is giving a verdict based on their own beliefs, taking the law into their own hands.
We could talk in circles, which is fine and a healthy conversation. MY thoughts have always been, if you don't like a law, get it changed in congress. You shouldn't be interpreting the law as a jury, thats a judges job. You should be giving a verdict on if the defendant broke said law. It's the same reason I think the Supreme Court should not be able to overturn previous rulings. If the highest court in the land can interpret the constitution and how it relates to rights that should not change because a few of them die and are replaced. Just change the law in congress if you want it to be in place.
posted by kizer permanenteI've been on grand jury twice. That shit is for 3 months.
posted by Laley23I understand it isn't illegal. I am not sure I would consider it a "right". It's a loophole in the system because there is no way to prove the jury simply didn't feel the prosecution failed to prove their case -- even if they clearly did and the jury is giving a verdict based on their own beliefs, taking the law into their own hands.
We could talk in circles, which is fine and a healthy conversation. MY thoughts have always been, if you don't like a law, get it changed in congress. You shouldn't be interpreting the law as a jury, thats a judges job. You should be giving a verdict on if the defendant broke said law. It's the same reason I think the Supreme Court should not be able to overturn previous rulings. If the highest court in the land can interpret the constitution and how it relates to rights that should not change because a few of them die and are replaced. Just change the law in congress if you want it to be in place.
One guy can't change a law in congress. One guy can, however, potentially prevent someone from going to jail or getting charged with a bullshit law.
I don't know if a scenario like this is even possible, but if I'm serving on a jury of someone busted with psychedelics or more weed than is just a civil offense, I can't in good conscience say "guilty, send them to jail."
