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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
575282	2007-08-02 23:53:00	Jury service is a difficult issue and I'm heartened to see various posters recognise it as a civic duty. I think everyone should do it at some stage and you shouldn't look for excuses to avoid jury duty. Having said that, I have complete sympathy for self-employed people, young mothers, etc. There are many situations where serving can cause real hardship. The problem is that if too many people avoid service, juries become made up of those who have time on their hands - often beneficiaries and retired persons. This isn't representative of the community at large. So do it if you can. Often it is fascinating for ordinary people who have never been in a court-room in their lives.	Winston001 (3612)
575283	2007-08-03 00:07:00	The first time I did it, it felt like I was watching a court case on TV. Trevor :)	Trev (427)
575284	2007-08-03 00:21:00	The problem is that if too many people avoid service, juries become made up of those who have time on their hands - often beneficiaries and retired persons. This isn't representative of the community at large. When I was in the waiting area I was told that professionals, such as doctors, accountants, lawyers, vicars and more are not even on the list of potentials. If that is true, how can any jury represent the community? And how about the sleep inducing lawyers who all talk at about 5 words per minute rate as though talking to absolute idiots?	Scouse (83)
575285	2007-08-03 00:50:00	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 . The pool of potential jurors is drawn from valid driver's licenses, the names and addresses are collected from DMV and the court sends out invitations that way . Also, registering to vote is another red flag for jurors . . . they seem to get hauled in more often than other people . The invitation does NOT include parking fees, which the court parking lots charge everyone, jurors are not exempt . Jury selection here is a smorgasboard of questions, mental parries and all sorts of disqualification-based tests by both the defense and plaintiff's legal representatives . Most qualify . . . some are just made to wait up to two days and dismissed . The catch: if you don't get empaneled as a juror on a case, you have to return in a year for another battery of tests and qualifications-based insults all over . If you actually sit on a case, you are exempt for one year against being recalled for more duty . You get paid a minimum amount of money, BUT some travel and fuel, parking, meals other than those meals offered during trial itself, are NOT offered/given/paid . Notes: No one is exempt because of his or her job, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or economic status . California pays jurors $15 every day starting on the second day of jury service only, except employees of governmental entities who receive full pay and benefits from their employers while on jury service . If you do not become seated on a jury, you are not paid for time in the court, transportation, meals or other out of pocket expenses incidental to your service . Some courts MAY offer free parking for pending jurors for the first day . If you are empaneled, parking fees are not paid nor is the juror exempt of parking/recurring travel fees or expenses or meal or personal maintenance . Rooming accommodations are NOT reimbursed . Meals are specifically not reimbursed as the juror is reminded that if they weren't sitting on a jury they would have to eat anyway . It's not the duty of the court to offer free meals to anyone . Individual judges may make exceptions in severe circumstances . California has a one-day or one-trial jury service . This means that people are not required to come to court for more than one day or serve on a trial more than once every 12 months . Typically if you are not chosen for jury selection after one day at the courthouse then your service is done for at least one year . If you are selected to serve on a jury, after the trial is over your service is also completed for at least a year and often longer . If you are qualified and you have not been excused or had your service postponed, you must report for jury service . You may only have to call on the phone or check a Web site to find out if you should report for jury service . Any person who fails to respond may be fined up to $1,500 . Jail time in addition to the fine is also possible . The California Labor Code protects jurors . It is against the law to fire or harass an employee who is summoned to serve as a juror . However, you should let your employer know well in advance, as soon as you receive your summons . You should contact the court if you have a problem with your employer because of jury service . Youse guys have it easy . . . no wonder the US citizens don't like being called .	SurferJoe46 (51)
575286	2007-08-03 01:11:00	The problem is that if too many people avoid service, juries become made up of those who have time on their hands - often beneficiaries and retired persons. This isn't representative of the community at large. When I was in the waiting area I was told that professionals, such as doctors, accountants, lawyers, vicars and more are not even on the list of potentials. If that is true, how can any jury represent the community? And how about the sleep inducing lawyers who all talk at about 5 words per minute rate as though talking to absolute idiots? Question is,is that hearsay or factoid.	Cicero (40)
575287	2007-08-03 02:01:00	The problem is that if too many people avoid service, juries become made up of those who have time on their hands - often beneficiaries and retired persons . This isn't representative of the community at large . When I was in the waiting area I was told that professionals, such as doctors, accountants, lawyers, vicars and more are not even on the list of potentials . If that is true, how can any jury represent the community? There is actually only a short list of people who cannot serve - police, members of parliament, lawyers, people with certain criminal convictions . . legislation . govt . nz/browse_vw . asp?content-set=pal_statutes" target="_blank">www . legislation . govt . nz . legislation . govt . nz/browse_vw . asp?content-set=pal_statutes" target="_blank">www . legislation . govt . nz And how about the sleep inducing lawyers who all talk at about 5 words per minute rate as though talking to absolute idiots? Ah yes, nothing like the stuff on TV . In the real world if you talk too fast in court, the stenographer cannot keep up . So everything proceeds at a considered pace which means all those quick-fire questions we see on TV shows fall flat in a real trial . Everything is recorded but also typed out in real time .	Winston001 (3612)
575288	2007-08-03 02:12:00	Go and do it ! HANG THE BASTARD ! Funny thing is just got called up last week for the first time in my life I'm 56 now. And at the moment I will be able to spend a week on a trial. But for some people it must be hard due to work, family etc. Not really on topic (sorry) but that TV program recently that went over famous NZ trials showed how hard some of these murder cases must be to decide if the person is guilty or not. regards Digby	Digby (677)
575289	2007-08-03 06:04:00	Go and do it ! HANG THE BASTARD ! Digby Someone was hung . . . but it was us :waughh:	mmmork (6822)
575290	2007-08-04 00:07:00	There is still the issue of grossly inadequate compensation for the time spent on Jury service - it is typical government - expect people to do their civic duty, but also do it at personal sacrifice.	KenESmith (6287)
575291	2007-08-04 00:32:00	There is still the issue of grossly inadequate compensation for the time spent on Jury service - it is typical government - expect people to do their civic duty, but also do it at personal sacrifice. Funny,I thought it was us Joe public that benefited from jury,but no,it would seem it's the goverment.	Cicero (40)
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