A Note To Potential Jurors
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
United States
August 5, 2008 1:17pm CST
As some of you have read, I was called in for jury duty this morning. I wasn't happy about it because it put me in a very bad place financially. Well, I went in this morning at 7:30 and discovered I could get a postponement for up to 90 days. I ended up asking for one for two months so that I could prepare financially, etc. Evidently, I can get another 90 day postponement at that time if I need it.
I came up with a wonderful idea a few minutes ago that would likely help most people be more willing to serve. If they would contact potential jurors three months before they want them to serve and give them that much time to plan and prepare for service, I think people wouldn't be so upset when getting summoned.
I honestly don't mind serving but the financial loss for someone who works hourly and doesn't make enough to lose income is really serious.
I also think that people should create a juror fund for themselves to save $5 a paycheck or more for when they are required to serve so that they have something to pay the bills when they are expected to serve.
I realize that's a hard thing to do in this time with the expenses of food, gas and rent or mortgage but it might save you from more serious hardship when you are called to serve and they don't approve a financial hardship excuse.
It's just an idea...
5 responses
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
5 Aug 08
I have only been called 3 times in my entire life. And I've never served a time. I didn't even go into the office. I called and told them the circumstances and they told me not to even show up, so I didn't.
They do not stop calling you when you are old, either. My Mother, who is 91 years old, got a summons to jury duty this summer. I called the office and explained that she would be unable to serve at her age and they agreed. They took her name completely off the calling list. She has served before and probably would have again, but she doesn't get around that good anymore and she's very hard of hearing.
As for the money you get to serve, it is ridiculous! The price of gas at almost $4 a gallon is terrible, and then they expect you to come up there for absolutely nothing. I live 45 minutes from our court house and it would cost a good deal to serve on the jury for a week,if it meant that. I just could not afford it. We are retired, and my husband even had to go back to work. I can imagine how hard it is for others without much income at all.
1 person likes this
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
5 Aug 08
They've gotten much stricter when it comes to excuses now. However, no one over 70 is required to serve and anyone with medical issues can be excused. If you care for your mother, you can be excused as a caregiver.
I think that the jury system is fair. They just need to give people a chance to prepare for it. I think they should also have a volunteer program for people who have the time and want to serve more often. If they had had that in place when I was out of work last year, I would have been thrilled to serve and gotten $15 a day. I could have used the funds.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
5 Aug 08
My daughter was divorced and living with us the first two times I got off. I was keeping her two young children while she worked every day. So I had no problems getting off those two times. And when I got off this year, I just told them I had broken my hip and had a full hip replacement and it's hard to sit for really long periods of time in a chair, especially if it's not padded. I could have used my Mother since I do almost all her work and grocery shopping, but I didn't do that. I was surprised that they let me off,not seeing me. I told the truth, so I guess that is what matters. But we do live so far away - in fact, the last house on this end of the county. 
We live at the end of the county and get our mail through the next county. Well, years ago the other county called him. So he got off, not being from that county. Then lately, he got another call. He had been out of work for months and had just went back to work. He told them he really needed to work and they let him off, too. I suppose they take everyone at their word. She did tell me this last time that they already had enough people to serve, so it wasn't hard for them to let me off.
We live at the end of the county and get our mail through the next county. Well, years ago the other county called him. So he got off, not being from that county. Then lately, he got another call. He had been out of work for months and had just went back to work. He told them he really needed to work and they let him off, too. I suppose they take everyone at their word. She did tell me this last time that they already had enough people to serve, so it wasn't hard for them to let me off.
@goinliveinfive (561)
• United States
5 Aug 08
I have some advice, too. If you don't want your life turned upside down in the name of "civic duty" there's a simple way to get out of jury duty that works every single time: juror nullification. During the voir dire process, simply tell the judge and attorneys that you are committed to voting with your conscience and not the letter of the law if you disagree with the law as written. They won't want to touch you with a two-meter cattle prod. I know from experience. Learn what juror nullification means and play that card in court. I did it once and it's been six years since I've been called to serve. I'm certian I'm blacklisted. Problem solved.
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
5 Aug 08
Excuse me but you didn't read my post. I didn't say I don't want to serve. I'm saying that they need to give one time to prepare to serve because if we don't get paid for the days we're out, it causes severe financial hardship.
I find what you did despicable. I have every respect for the law and our juror system. I believe in it and I believe in doing my part. I just think it could be handled better when dealing with potential jurors who would be financially devastated by time out from work.
I think there should be more notice given and that people should get paid more than $15 a day.
@goinliveinfive (561)
• United States
5 Aug 08
Excuse YOU, but I did read your post you judgmental git. Come on down off that high horse of yours before you give yourself a nosebleed. Honestly...
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
8 Aug 08
That's very good advice whimsystoryteller. Very good advice indeed. Hopefully some or a lot rather, will take you up on that advice for no one knows when they'll be called upon to do jury duty and they need to be prepared.
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
5 Aug 08
When I was working, I always wanted to be on jury duty, I think I have only served two times. It is strange that your company does not pay you. I have always worked for companies that paid time spent on jury duty. One job, I had to turn the jury duty money in, my other job we were allowed to keep it.
@jands1 (835)
• United States
5 Aug 08
This is a great idea. Though many have budgeted, "emergencies" or "misc." when Jury Duty comes up, they fail to see that as something that fits into their pre-budgeted categories.
I'm also very glad to see you being so civil minded and having intent on serving your Jury Duty as opposed to finding a way to get out of it by answering the pre-qualifying questions in a certain way.
The only time I served on a jury was years ago when I was in the law field and it was for a horrible criminal case. With my former boss being a lawyer, I didn't get the usual "Can you get out of it?" and still collected my nice salary. Though he did make me come in after office hours to do transcriptions. LOL
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
5 Aug 08
I'm not sure I said that I'm a law librarian and have been in the legal field for over 22 years. Besides, I served on a murder trial a number of years ago and found it interesting. Of course, at the time, I was planning to go to law school and specialize in criminal law and planned to go to work for the DA's office.
I'm fascinated with the legal system so I don't mind being on a jury. I just mind that they don't give you time enough to prepare or help you financially. I find a $15 a day pay day absolutely ridiculous. I think it should be at least twice that so that people aren't put out as much when they aren't compensated at work.
