A couple of weeks ago I got a notice in the mail that I was being summoned for jury duty. It included a form that I had to fill out asking about my occupation, if I could serve on a jury of 10 days or more, how many kids I cared for, and so on. I promptly completely the form and mailed it off and arranged childcare for Sophie on the day that I was required to show.
Yesterday I received a notice that I had been excused from duty. I hadn't even asked for it. They didn't give a reason, but I suspect it was because I am the primary caregiver for our daughter.
The only other time I have been summoned was about 8 years ago, when I lived down in the city. Actually, saying I was summoned overstates it. The first notice I got was a card saying I had missed Jury Duty and I had to pay a $150 fine. To which I said "WHAAAAT!?" called them up and got the situation corrected. No fine. And I was never summoned again.
I'll tell you a secret, I've actually always wanted to serve. I know it won't be like A Few Good Men or Law and Order, there most likely won't be shouting and histrionics, but maybe, just maybe, I'll get an interesting case.
The day I got my summons, I talked with a friend of mine about one time she served as a juror. It was the trial of a man accused of raping his 12 year old niece. She conveyed some of the drama and how good she felt when they convicted the guy. It kind of got me psyched to do my civic duty.
With people always trying to get out of jury duty, I wonder what they would do if I called up and said that I wanted in.
PS - I've been nominated for a (M)aryland (O)utstanding (B)log Award or Mobbie! You can vote once a day for one blog in each category (I'm nominated as a Family Blog) as well as for Best Overall Blog so please vote as often as you can. Voting finishes tomorrow and we need a fourth quarter push! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
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My dad got called for jury duty several times that I can remember, and he even got to sit on the Grand Jury in a Capital case. He said it could be boring, but it was really cool to be IN on the workings of our court system.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you'll get called again...
I've served and though it can be a logistical pain, it does feel good. That being said though, I wouldn't seek out the opportunity. I think it's enough that you didn't try to shirk your civic duty!
ReplyDeleteLots of people like to say that they would lie or act crazy to get out of it when they are reviewing jury candidates, but when you are there, it is impossible not to take it seriously. Or, at least, I found it to be so.
I have never been called...probably b/c I never lived in one place long enough to make it down the line. I also probably just jinxed myself! I agree with you though...it would be nice to help do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteI was called for jury duty when I was pregnant with my second son... and because of the fact that I had another little one at home, I didn't have to sit on jury duty. But it would be neat to do it one day, for sure, especially for an interesting case...
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm sure they'd say, "Okay!! Come on down", I'm also sure they might think you a little nuts. And then dismiss you because you asked for jury duty.
ReplyDeleteI would call and ask them why at least? Maybe it would prompt them to put you back on the list..??
ReplyDeleteMy dad always teethed at the bit to get the chance to do that. He was so silly. He hoped his day would come! He REALLY wanted to do it!
So sad that when he did get the notice it was towards the end of his life and he couldn't do it.
Most people don't want to go..they say it is pretty boring.
I have been kindof curious and thought it would be neat to go.
Call...Just to see;p
I might be overzealous but I think it would fascinating. Even for a boring case, it would be cool to see everything go on first hand.
ReplyDeleteI served 4 days last March on a civil case at Baltimore City Circuit Court. Besides it being a total PITA to arrange childcare, it was mostly interesting to see the process all the way through and it did give me hope about our judicial process. I even ended up Jury Foreperson!
ReplyDeleteHowever, that was right around the time of the witness intimidation case, where that witness was gunned down outside of his house and I was terrified that I would be chosen for that jury. My husband served on an assault case and he said the defendant sat and stared at the jury the whole time and it was a little scary. Yay, gotta love Balto City!
I was also called when Maureen was an exclusively breastfed infant and some troll in the jury commissioner's office told me that if I didn;t get a babysitter and show up with my pump, I would be arrested. I told her it didn't matter if I had a babysitter, my baby didn't drink from a bottle, ever, and you should have heard her. I eventually got my postponement, but I had to write a letter to get it.
I served in a rape trial once and it was really very interesting. The guy was so completely guilty, we didn't even deliberate. But we sat in the room and hung out for a little while so it looked like we actually discussed it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought on it much, actually. But I wish it was looked at as an honor instead of the hassle the government seems to make it into.
ReplyDeleteIt's strange. I've never actually been called for jury duty. Roger was called this year, and it just so happened to be for the week I was scheduled to have the c-section should Azita not turn around. Glad they excused him, since she remained breech. :)
ReplyDeleteI served on a Jury once and it was fun. It was a nice change of pace.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to serve too.
ReplyDeleteI've been summoned twice... and got out of it twice.
ReplyDeleteShane was recently summoned... went to the courthouse and found out it's to get a pool of jurors for a very high profile case in Knoxville. He'll find out at the end of the month if he's been chosen. If he has, he'll be sequestered in Knoxville for the duration of the trial. Happy happy joy joy.
I've been called several times in the last 20 years. Maybe like 4. Each time they excuse me by my request. One day though I'd love to do it. It's just that the whole process of sitting there for a week or two while they figure out if they need you, sucks (my mom went through the process a couple yrs ago).
ReplyDeleteBut I'm totally like you, I'd love to do it.
I actually loved jury duty! I served for the first time and hope I get called again. They say the courtroom is nothing like TV - but in my case, it kind of was.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. Good luck in the Mobbies!
You know, I was downright JEALOUS when The Husband got jury duty last spring! I want to serve, as well.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to serve on a jury, and now that I'm in a full-time job, I'm finally in a position that I could. I've yet to be called here in NC in my 1 1/2 as an official resident, though KS called me twice while I was in school and not actually residing there.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time I was summoned - I was not happy - I was a college student, barely making it and missing a day of work would have killed me - I called down there and begged and I have never been summoned again!
ReplyDelete