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Thread ID: 81611	2007-08-01 22:31:00	excuses to get off Jury service	lance4k (4644)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
575272	2007-08-02 07:02:00	I'd love to be called up. Never before so far. I've never been called up either. However as I own and run my own business and is a one man business, I wouldn't be able to do it. I need to be able to be contacted by my clients during business hours. Not unless they allow you to take a laptop into court with a broadband connection, and am able to do some work in court while listening to the court, I wouldn't be able to do it, otherwise my business would go under.	robbyp (2751)
575273	2007-08-02 07:08:00	I have been called up three times for Jury Service - only had to front up once - Fortunately I was challenged at the selection process - I guess it was the middle aged man in a business suit , RAF Tie, and RSA badge - obviously going to be pro-establishment and a risk for a guilty client, or perhaps not so guilty client. The other times I managed to get off due to pressure of business - I was a self employed business consultant at the time - can't claim work commitments once one is retired. I object to the lousy pittance paid to Jurors - well short of the minimum wage- which means if ones employer isn't civic minded and pays salary while absent, it can mean serious financial hardship for someone with heavy commitments. Incidentally an employer cannot refuse leave for Jury service, but they are not obliged to pay - happily the University paid me when I did my stint. The civic duty crap when being spouted by Judges and lawyers who are into the trough for well over $200 grand a year just doesn't wash. If they want people to do this duty, and it certainly is in the public good, they should be properly compensated and not end up suffering a financial penalty. Imagine being selected for a jury for a case that ran into weeks or even months.	KenESmith (6287)
575274	2007-08-02 07:17:00	I have been called up three times for Jury Service - only had to front up once - Fortunately I was challenged at the selection process - I guess it was the middle aged man in a business suit , RAF Tie, and RSA badge - obviously going to be pro-establishment and a risk for a guilty client, or perhaps not so guilty client. The other times I managed to get off due to pressure of business - I was a self employed business consultant at the time - can't claim work commitments once one is retired. I object to the lousy pittance paid to Jurors - well short of the minimum wage- which means if ones employer isn't civic minded and pays salary while absent, it can mean serious financial hardship for someone with heavy commitments. Incidentally an employer cannot refuse leave for Jury service, but they are not obliged to pay - happily the University paid me when I did my stint. The civic duty crap when being spouted by Judges and lawyers who are into the trough for well over $200 grand a year just doesn't wash. If they want people to do this duty, and it certainly is in the public good, they should be properly compensated and not end up suffering a financial penalty. Imagine being selected for a jury for a case that ran into weeks or even months. I was told that if you didn't want to be selected for jury duty, dress yourself up in an expensive suit and look professional and conservative. If you go in casual clothes, and look unemployed, or look like a down and outer, lawyers for the defense team will want you, as you are more likely to side towards someone else who is in a similar financial situation.	robbyp (2751)
575275	2007-08-02 12:38:00	Living more than 30k from the court using the most direct route used to be reason given by the courts for not being on Jury Service. Jury Fee's are not much but many companies but maybe not all, require the Jury Fee that you have been paid to be paid onto the company while you are then paid standard pay by the company which I can only assume could be tax deductable maybe. May no longer be the case. And on the subject of fee's, Court Fee's for being a witness is stuff all as well. They flew me back to NZ, that cost them heaps, one whole day in court and 3 months later they send me a cheque that I wasn't able to cash owing to where I was for $50.	PinoyKiw (9675)
575276	2007-08-02 12:52:00	At the interview, they asked me what I thought of the justice system . I told them that everybody who appears before a judge is guilty . They asked me how I came to that conclusion . I told them that at one time or another, everyone has broken a law at least once if not several times and this was just the way the law was gonna get even and catch up with them . I haven't been asked back since . cool . . i should say that next time as well . . nice . .	AMD (11356)
575277	2007-08-02 20:26:00	Dpendant upon where you are to serve on a jury, dress outside the norm for that area. If you are in South Auckland, always "over-dress", you will never get past the selection process. The bros' don't like to think that the high and mighty flashy dressers are in a position to consider them as not guilty. I understand that once you get to 65 you are exempt but maybe its what we retired people would be best at, it would fill in our days and we could arrange to gaol the lot. Also, when you try and wriggle out with a well worded excuse, attach a business card, often works a treat.	Bryan (147)
575278	2007-08-02 20:31:00	The US is considering making jurors "professional" . . ie, they'd be going to a job to sit on juries . That would eliminate the scruffs and street campers getting into the pool for a free meal (bread/mystery meat/bread) sandwich and a boxed fruit juice that is so far outdated it says "Mr . Lucky Goes To War" on the wrapper .	SurferJoe46 (51)
575279	2007-08-02 20:33:00	Dpendant upon where you are to serve on a jury, dress outside the norm for that area. If you are in South Auckland, always "over-dress", you will never get past the selection process. The bros' don't like to think that the high and mighty flashy dressers are in a position to consider them as not guilty. Maybe you can wear your Mr T. outfit with the gold bracelets and rings and Rolex...and keep on saying "Hang the fool!" loudly like he does.	SurferJoe46 (51)
575280	2007-08-02 20:55:00	I'm currently sitting on a jury right now . Seems there are many differences between here & the US . There is no interview . If you want to talk to the judge when called you can, but you'll get short shrift for any bull**** . Street scruffs tend not to be on the electoral role which is where the pool is chosen from . Nor is there a free meal except if deliberating takes in lunch & dinner times . As to the dressing myth, if you think you have a plan, try it by all means but you may find it isn't as mechanical as dressing well or badly . It's an interesting enough experience if you've never been inside a courtroom before, but I would hate to be on a trial lasting several weeks .	mmmork (6822)
575281	2007-08-02 21:21:00	I see on the news this week one tardy juror was fined $300 and spend a night in the cells for failing to honour the law regarding attendance.	godfather (25)
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