Have you ever been called for Jury Duty?

Question

Did you show up? Were you picked to serve?
I got served last years and couldn't make it so I rescheduled and was told I would be notified by mail or email and it never happened this year I got served again and was told if I didn't show up, there would be a warrent out for my arrest. I don't want to serve on a jury I don't feel I can judge another human being.

Answer 1

If you really don't feel you can judge another human being, explain that to the judge and you will be dismissed. But be prepared to explain WHY you don't feel you can judge another human being--- if it's god telling you that or whatever, just have something to back that statement up. You still have to show up though.

For me, I always show up (although I have had to request date changes a couple of times) and I've been picked to serve a few times but I always end up getting dismissed; my ex is a cop in the city where I live so I know a lot of cops, and I always end up knowing the arresting officer in whatever case I'm picked for. That makes me biased in the eyes of the law and the judge sends me home.

Answer 2

Yes. I was called for jury duty and I did serve on a jury. I believe it was a privilege to be a part of the legal system. I learn alot and it made me value the justice system a little more.

You start out by going down to your county courthouse. There you are randomly selected by lottery to participate in a jury selection. You go into a courtroom with the judge and lawyers. Again you may be selected to be on the jury panel. The two lawyers have a series of questions they may ask you. They don't want anyone who may be biased or have any association with the parties involve. For instance, the case I was on was armed robbery. They asked if any of us if we knew any cops within the county. Then they ask if we have ever been robbed. The lawyers basically know 'who' they want on the jury. You also would be able to tell the judge or give him a reason you may not be a good jury - have a medical condition or prior obligation you cannot get out of to serve on a jury. Again, you may be dismissed by the lawyers or judge.

If you really don't want to serve, you can get out of while you are being selected for the jury panel. I would not risk being arrested for not showing up.

Oh, some of my family members do not speak English very well. When you get the letter that summons you for jury duty, there is a number you can call to talk to the clerk. If you say you don't understand English I'm sure you will be able to be excused.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Yes, I have been called and served on a jury in a burglary case. Few people want to judge other people. It's one of your duties as a citizen. If it's any comfort, jury trials are fairly technical. In most cases, you are not judging the person, but whether a particular event happened. Mostly, it's not like Law and Order, where there the outcome seems to fall the the gray area of justice.
You can do this. It's better than being arrested yourself.

Answer 4

Yes to all three and Jury Duty is not a big issue. Jury Duty is one of the prices you pay for living in a civil society. If you really don't want to serve then have your anme removed from the voter registration rolls. I would encourage you to serve though. It is a good learning experience if you remain open minded about it. You must remember above all that you are not judging another human being. You are judging whether there is enough evidence to demonstrate whether or not that person commited a crime. In the case for which I served, the defendant was a very likable and sympathetic individual. He obviously cared about his family and friends but it was also clear that in a fit of anger, he broke the law and endangered himself and others. We deliberated less than an hour and returned a guilty verdict. In that case, it was merely a fine with no jail time and the defendant learned a valuable lesson. Our judgment of his commission of the crime wasn't a judgment of him being a good or bad person, he simply broke a law put in place to protect himself and others.

Answer 5

I am 58 and have never been called for jury duty, but I am hoping that I will be. I am an attorney, and I have tried many cases before juries. I can tell you that serving on a jury is a very important part of fulfilling your civic duty. We have a judge who tells juries that the Constitution is just a piece of paper. What breathes life into the Constitution is our belief in the principles for which it stands. And a big part of that is the role of juries in our system.
Please go and take part in the American legal system. You will meet a diverse group of your fellow citizens. Take a book because it usually involves a lot of sitting around. (And be patient with that. When you are sitting around, the judges and the attorneys are working.)

Answer 6

No, I am on a list in this community to not be called. As a Vet, we are considered hard on crime, and were generally always dismissed from jury duty. In the end, it just made them realize why not quit calling people to serve that we know will be eliminated all the time.

The same is true for law enforcement, prior law enforcement, corrections officers, etc. But, this is specific to this area. Generally, if I move, I contact the clerk's office to see if they have something like this in place where I live. Some do, some don't.

And, I am someone who would like to sit on a jury. But, as soon as they find out your are a Vet, they send you packing. It sucks.

Answer 7

I was picked for jury duty twice. The first time was in a small suburb and the judge asked if it was going to be incredibly difficult for anyone to serve. I raised my hand and he excused me no questions asked.

The second time was in Detroit and i went down there for two days and was never even inside a court room.

I wouldn't worry about actually having to sit on a jury. The bigger pain is actually going for a day or two and wasting your time.

Answer 8

Yes, 3 times, and I went to the judge who was in charge of jury selection and told him I refused to serve and, if I HAD to come in to serve, I would do my best, up to the point of being in contempt of court, to be a disruptive influence and see that justice was miscarried...

I have NEVER had to serve on a jury.

Lawyers have a saying: "Would you really want to be judged by 12 people who were too stupid to get out of Jury Duty?"

Answer 9

I have served on 2 juries. One was a drug case and the other was a coroners jury. It was a good experience and I learned first hand how it works. Show up and when they do the jury selection just tell them how you feel. They will probably excuse you.

Answer 10

If the jury system is to survive in our country, it is your obligation as a citizen to serve. The alternative to a jury system is what you see in other, undeveloped, countries where the leaders decide if you are innocent or guilty. What separates us from brutal and uncivilized justice is our "fair and impartial" jury system.

The alternative to serving is, as you have found out, a warrant for your arrest. Then, you may be tried by a jury yourself.