201. I agree that jury duty should not be
mandatory, even though I fell it is an honor to serve my country
with this civic duty. This is one of the reasons why so many good
people died for our rights fighting in so many wars throughout our
American History, so that an accused can be judged fairly by the
members of their equal peers.
I believe that jurors should be told about and allowed to use “jury
nullification”, because some laws on the books are outdated, unjust,
and/or predigest, or the punishment doesn’t fit the crime.
I also believe that one should be excused from jury duty if they
will not be compensated for lost wages due to being off work for
that time, or if surviving on such jury duty would cause undo
hardship in any financial, physical, or emotional manner. From my
research, there are only a few methods that will either disqualify,
or at the least postpone a person from serving until a later date;
but the burden of proof for these methods are left to each person to
find out for themselves. These ways should be brought to all
people’s attention when they first receive their summons for jury
duty.
To any extent, I was called to jury duty only twice so far in my
life, and was excused both times. The first time I was called upon,
when they asked if anyone knew the defendant or any of the
attorneys, I raised my hand. The judge asked me who I knew and I
said all of them. LOL He called me up to his desk with the two
attorneys to speak more privately, and asked me how I knew them all.
I told him that I grew up with the defendant, and knew him well as a
trouble maker; I had past dealings with the defense attorney in
other cases due to my ex-wife; and that I knew the processing
attorney, because he was two years ahead of me in school, and had
gone out with one of my sisters, and also because I had some dealing
with his firm in the past. I was excused because the attorneys felt
that I would be partial or bias in my opinion.
The second time I was call to perform my jury duties, I was a
full-time single parent of four children, working part-time, and
going to a Business/Tech school as a full-time student. I just so
happens that the Business/Tech school at the time was located right
next to the Courthouse, and the day after I received my summons, I
ran into the President Judge (who also happens to be a friend of the
family, and past attorney of mine), on my lunch break, and I showed
him the summons and explained to him of my dilemma with the kids,
work and school. He took my paperwork, and told me to not worry
about it, because I was exempt since I was going to school as a
full-time student.
I still look forwards to one day serving on jury duty, and since I
no longer have any children at home, and am disabled: I have the
free time on my hands to be able to serve. Unfortunately, because of
my disability and health problems, I will not be able to sit in
those hard wooden chairs for longer then an hour, before my chronic
pain will get to the best of me. If my crone’s disease flairs up
during that time, I will have less then a minute to be sitting on a
toilet when I first feel the pressure in my stomach, or I will mess
myself. I also still suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and
anxiety attacks that being in a stressful environment or
experiencing increased pain for too long can set me off into what
mimics a heart-attack that can actually kill me, because my heart
rate and blood pressure both go through the roof. This doesn’t
include the fact that I have only a few years left to live.
For those of you who truly desire to avoid your civic duty to serve
as a juror, because you don’t feel that it is worth your time or you
don’t care for the justice system, or other lame reasons you have to
get out of it; I will be more then willing to trade with you my
physical problems for a chance to serve on a jury, be able to work
again, and live a fulfilling life freed of my health issues that
make each and every day a painful struggle.
202. I was in a jury pool for an insurance case that was
going to last 6 weeks. I ended up getting dismissed because I was
college roommates with the CPA's daughter ( CPA was just a witness
in the case). They asked if I could be fair and I said I don't know.
What is ironic is that the CPA/defendant/case/ and college were all
in a different city than the actual trial ( where I live) But I
still knew the CPA. small world. This isn't really advice but more
of a lucky break!
203. If you are or were a convicted felon, you can be
disqualified from jury service on that alone.
204. Once I was called for jury duty, and another woman there
kept trying to get out of serving, but they refused every excuse.
Eventually, the woman started crying and simply could not, or would
not, stop. This went on until we got before the judge. He took her
into chambers for a couple of minutes for a private conversation,
after which she simply was allowed to leave. Think about it -- how
can they penalize you if you simply can't stop crying? You're pretty
much useless to everyone at that point. (They were being real
hardasses that day -- they even told one guy, whose brother was
called for jury service but spoke no English, that he'd have to come
along and be the guy's translator, or hire one! Another guy said he
owned a business that required him to be there, and they said "too
bad".)
205. I noticed another thing back when I used to look really
"punk rock". Even though I'd dress appropriately for court, I still
had nose rings and stuff (which could only be removed with pliers,
so I never took them out). Well, I was never chosen for duty, and
during the selection process, was almost always the first one to be
let go. I figure the attorneys either thought I'd identify too much
with the "partiers" who were usually the defendants, or would be too
extremely biased one way or another. Ironically, I finally took out
my piercings precisely because I was so annoyed by being
inconvenienced by being called for duty so often, only to sit there
all day, then be rejected during selection. So some of your readers
might try a few of those fake piercings you can buy during
Halloween. Sometimes, being discriminated against for your manner of
dress can work to your benefit!
206. Before the attorneys started to talk I made them stop
and said we all needed to pray. I proceeded to sing "Amen" and
started praying...I caught the spirit and was excused.
207. When asked if you could be impartial say no, because you
can see that the devil is working in (pick an attorney) and you
would automatically vote for the other attorney's client IN THE NAME
OF JESUS!!!! rofl.
208. I don't mind serving on a jury, it will be the ideal way
to find out for sure whether I become flatulent whenever someone
lies in a stressful situation. And because all lawyers lie for a
living, I think there's going to be some real sound effects going
on.
209. In Fall of 2003 I was selected for jury duty. I was
going to school at the time, and told them I wouldn't be able to
serve. They rescheduled me for a few months later. I sent them
another reply stating I was still in school. Sadly, I made the
mistake of saying I could serve in June or July, since school would
be out. The sent me another letter telling me to be there at a
certain date. I choose to ignore it, because there was no way I was
getting up before 8am. I've had nothing happen to me. Seems like if
no one can prove you got the mail, then there is no way you can be
held liable. How many times has our spouse, or ourselves lost mail?
If there is a way for them to summon you so you can explain why you
missed I would just act ignorant.
210. My excuse at the time before Jury Selection was the fact
that our school district required a parent to pick up your child
from the school bus. Since I was the only parent home at the time to
do this, the judge excused me. But the funny thing was when I showed
my husband the paperwork handled out on the defendant he started
laughing. The guy served time in the work camp where my husband
worked and knew him well. That would have excused me but I didn’t
know it at the time.
211. To get excuse for jury duty in California, if you live
far enough from the court house (90 mins or more by public
transportation) you can claim your car is broken, or you don't have
one and it would be an inconvenience to get to that courthouse. I
have gotten a letter from 3 of the 4 court houses in my county and
they never bother to send me to the one that is a 10 minute drive
from my house.To get excuse for jury duty in California, if you live
far enough from the court house (90 mins or more by public
transportation) you can claim your car is broken, or you don't have
one and it would be an inconvenience to get to that courthouse. I
have gotten a letter from 3 of the 4 court houses in my county and
they never bother to send me to the one that is a 10 minute drive
from my house.
212. Call the court office and tell them you've received an
out of state job and must relocate immediately. While this was true
for me, they didn't even ask me for a shred of documentation and
took my name right out of the entire system just like that! This
worked even after I had already returned my summons stating I could
attend! If you haven't returned your summons yet, call the office
first! They say you have to submit a request in writing but in this
case it is not true. A phone call will suffice.
213. Used by a man in California. When asked if he could be a
fair juror, he replied no.It has been my experience That all cops
lie.. Was excused right away and never was called again.
214. Become as familiar as you can with the Wiccan church (in
case they ask you questions). Then, send the jury summons back to
the court with a letter telling them that you belong to the church
... and that (true) Wiccans are FORBIDDEN to "sit in judgment of
others."
FWIW, I was on jury duty for a civil suit. Afterward, the judge came
into the jury room to thank us for our service - but mentioned this
"Wiccan" excuse as one of the few excuses courts won't challenge
(grin).
215. I am 51 and have never been called for jury duty. I
would say that there are hundreds of people who are in jail falsely
convicted. I heard someone who was in prison for twenty years and
was freed because they ran a DNA test and proved the man was falsely
convicted. Almost everyone lies and I can't ever convict a person or
say they are guilty knowing that information is withheld, Eye
witness are not brought to testify. No one ever gets a fair trial
because cops lie. Hope I never get called. I could never sleep the
same putting someone down not knowing for sure.
216. This was an excuse used by a person in Montana. (see
Attachment) Apparently you morons didn’t understand me the first
time. I CANNOT take time off from work. I’m not putting my familys
wellbeing at stake to participate in this crap. I don’t believe in
our “justice” system and I don’t want to have a goddamn thing to do
with it. Jury duty is a complete waste of time. I would rather count
the wrinkles on my dogs balls than sit on a jury. Get it through
your thick skulls. Leave me the f–k alone. Found on failblog.org
217. Well, the one and only time I actually reported to jury
duty, this is what I did. I brought a half dollar coin with me in my
pocket. When we got to the point where they asked if I can make a
fair and impartial decision, I took out the coin and said " Yes, I
feel that I can make a fair and impartial decision. I brought my
lucky coin with me just for an occasion like this. It has never
steered me wrong before" They couldn't wait to get me out of there
as quick as possible.
PS. I've also throw one away before, and nothing happened.
218. Of course there is no reason for me to not have jury
duty, your honor.
If my uncontrollable diarrhea doesn't bother you and the other
jurors, it sure doesn't bother me.
219. I am psychic, and the aliens from Arturis Prime have
already told me that the accused is guilty. So why your time and
mine on a trial?
220. I object to serving juror duty as long as you are on the
bench, because I voted for your opponent in the last election. I
find your political views abhorrent to the point of distraction. I'm
sorry, were you saying something? Because I was just thinking about
your political views.
221. If he turns out to be guilty, can I cover him with
chocolate sauce and throw him off a cliff?
222. I would definitely like to be on the jury, because I saw
the accused picture in the paper and I think I've fallen in love
with her. Talk about knockers, you know what I mean?
223. Tell you what: on the day that they legalize
disemboweling with a boat hook as a punishment for unpaid parking
tickets, I'll serve jury duty.
Until then, you wimps are on your own.
224. I would be honored to serve on a jury with your honor on
the bench. I fondly recall the stories my father used to tell me
about how you and him used to go to gay bathhouses in San Francisco
and get it on with Mick Jagger.
225. Ok ok, I'll serve jury duty. Now, would you mind if I go
to the bathroom and smoke a joint so I an concentrate on the trial?
226. I bought a cheap clerical collar and wore it with a
black suit. I was excused immediately. Dress up like a priest.
227. This one works well in New South Wales Australia, loss
of confidence in the system. I put together a clip to help people
lose confidence.
