What am I going to do? I called the judge and her cocky clerk said its your civic duty to serve and thats to bad that you aren't going to get paid. I am furious I live paycheck to paycheck as it is what am I going to do?
2006-07-13 08:00:49 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
I understand its my duty, but the point is I CAN NOT afford it. My employer is great but we are a small company he cant afford to pay me for a day I don't work.
2006-07-13 08:11:03 · update #1
It's your civic duty but your boss is a cheap SOB.
2006-07-13 08:02:57 · answer #1 · answered by notyou311 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let me preface this answer by saying that I think its is very important to serve on Jury duty, and is not only a civic duty, but an honor, that every-day people have the power to affect the law precedent of this country. It is what so many before us fought for. So if you can serve, please do.
Now for the applicable part of the answer. Technically the court clerk is correct. However, they usually make for allowances for undue hardship and the like, but I believe your chance of getting out are better if you notify the court BEFORE you have to appear for the jury selection process.
If you've already gone through the voir dire process (asking questions), and the jury along with the alternates have been sworn in, you are most likely stuck.
If not, then during this process you need to voice your concerns formally in front of the judge. OR, IF YOU FEEL REALLY STRONG OR SYMPATHETIC TO ONE PARTY AND FEEL YOU CAN'T BE FAIR, then they may have no choice but to excuse you.
However, if that isn't the route you take and you mention financial hardship, then the Judge will usually ask you for the information of your employer and their phone number, and the judge will usually give them a call, but there are no guarantees it will change anything.
Whatever you do...don't be mean to the clerk. They are usually the type that don't get a lot of hugs as kids, and like to flaunt their power over you. I deal with it all the time. The only thing you can do about that is smile, and thank them very much for their time, as they are extremely close to the judge.
Good luck.
2006-07-13 08:21:27 · answer #2 · answered by bowe_knows 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you appear for jury duty, explain that it will create an "undue hardship" for you to serve. If you're a single parent, a nursing mother, or a caregiver to an aging relative, it's pretty much an automatic dismissal (where I live anyway). If you live alone, it's going to be a bit harder to prove.
The good news is that in most places, jurty duty means that you're on call for a week. You call in to the number by 8 am. If you're called in, you appear. If you aren't, you go to work. If you're called in, there's a strong chance you won't even be called to serve a case. If you sit for the day and aren't chosen, you're usually dismissed from appearing.
I got called for jury duty when my youngest son was 4 weeks old. I explained that I was nursing him every hour and a half, had a 20 month old toddler as well, and my husband was in the service in another state. I was given a 2 year deferment from jury service over the phone.
2006-07-13 08:17:40 · answer #3 · answered by gemthewitch 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We ALL should take our civic duty seriously. Just go, they ask the prospective jury (the pool of people) all kinds of questions. And if you answer something that they don't like, then they usually dismiss you that same day. I have been on 2 juries, and it was an eye opening experience. You may find that you learn quite a bit about life, and that is priceless.
2006-07-13 08:06:40 · answer #4 · answered by Dog Mama 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Write a letter explaining the hardship this will cause. While it is your civic duty, you shouldn't have to end up homeless and/or starving, or having bad debts because of it. Your boss is a jerk. I thought you had to be paid your wage while you were on jury duty but I guess that would be too easy, huh. Good luck.
2006-07-13 08:05:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry! I just finished mine. You will probably end up just sitting all day waiting for them to call you to one of the court rooms. And if you do get called in, most judges are very cool about letting you go if you have any sort of financial hardship. The court I was in had a ten day trial. He asked if anyone had excuses. The people who said their boss didn't pay for jury duty were automatically excused.
2006-07-13 08:08:41 · answer #6 · answered by lazydazy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell them during the selection process that you think gay people should be killed, black people should be slaves, etc. It is a way to get out of jury duty because those are obvious biases.
This answer is not meant to be offensive, just a way for you to get off of jury duty (although you really should do it because it is your civic duty).
2006-07-13 08:06:29 · answer #7 · answered by JTz 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you can prove that serving jury duty will create an undo hardship you may be able to get out of it. Go down there with your pay stub.
2006-07-13 08:03:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell the prosecutor that you can spot a guilty person a mile away in your prelimary questioning - preferably write it on your questionnaire if the opportunity arises. The defense attorney will disqualify you every time.
2006-07-13 08:30:31 · answer #9 · answered by Outlaw 1-3 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's easy to get out of...
Try one of these, as you are sitting through the selection:
1) "I know he is guilty because he is black, Mexican, ____ (fill in the blank)... You don't have to believe it, just say it.
2) Develop a moderate or severe case of uncontrollable turrets.
3) Don't show up. Give any excuse and they will just reschedule you for another day.
2006-07-13 08:14:28 · answer #10 · answered by C P R 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋