Jury Duty

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Posted by: Kellsbella Original: 9/17/2012 2:55 PM Views: 324 Comments: 32 eProps: 40 Read Comments Post a Comment Back to Your Xanga Site

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Monday, September 17, 2012

Tomorrow I am to report to the courthouse at 8:15 a.m. I’m grinding my teeth because jury duty is somewhat ridiculous to me. Why? Um, well, could it be that the lawyers may pick and choose their jurors? I have not been chosen since I was 18 (that was three years ago……on my honour.) It just seems silly to me that they don’t just draw from the pool and knock it out in one fail swoop. Nope. Instead they must waste everyone’s time and money while they ask us stupid questions. Oh! I take that back! You’re paid $15! A few years ago, I was there for 7 hours, so I made a killin! (I’m not so good at math, but as you can see, my time was equal to roughly $2 an hour.)

This time around, I think I will not donate my juror pay to them (in FL you have the option of being paid or donating the money, and yes, I’ve always donated my whoppin paycheck to them.) These people waste my time. I know what to say to get out of jury duty but I don’t. I do, however, bring up arguments during voir dire that frustrate the lawyers. I believe they believe I am a bad apple in the bunch.

If people were randomly chosen, I think it would be much more just. It seems as if our judicial system is stacking the deck from the get-go, and I do not agree with it. We have essentially turned our lawyers and judges into mind readers.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I must prepare two lasagnas and two casseroles for church. Will I get to do that? I think I shall. I will go to the courthouse wearing shorts, flip-flops, no make-up, and tell them that I’m a redneck bigot. If they play this silly game, I can play it as well.

I’m full of shite. I don’t have the balls to go anywhere without make-up…..

Just wondering……do you get excited or dismayed when you’re summoned for jury duty?

Posted 9/17/2012 2:55 PM - 324 Views - 40 eProps - 32 comments

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32 Comments

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I've only been called once for jury duty and that was when I was in college and during finals week. I got out of that because they didn't want to pay me for the 10 hour commute.

Posted 9/17/2012 3:35 PM by godfatherofgreenbay

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Such is life in the polis.

Posted 9/17/2012 4:10 PM by PrisonerxOfxLove - - reply

They do it that way on purpose and ask questions so it will be a trial by government and not a trial by jury.

Posted 9/17/2012 4:16 PM by MrTrololo - - reply

Read everything you can on Jury Nullification especially from the Fully Informed Jury Association: http://fija.org/category/jury-nullification/ or 1-800-TEL-JURY.

I told the judge that I refused to find anyone guilty in the name of the police state and was kicked out immediately. My intent was to nullify the ridiculous laws we live with by means of nullification. Perhaps I should have kept that to myself. Derp.

Posted 9/17/2012 5:44 PM by virtus1 - - reply

Oh that virtus 1, giving people a clue how to avoid jury duty. However you are to be commended for doing your civic duty and adding to the justice system.

$15 that wouldn't even cover your gas and lunch expenses would it?

So now I have set the ground work to explain gas prices on my blog. I think you should concentrate more on getting ready for jury duty....it will sort of be an ordeal.

Posted 9/17/2012 6:53 PM by PPhilip

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@godfatherofgreenbay - WTF??!! You damn cheeseheads! Thank goodness you've got a new sheriff in town! (You've all gone overboard on your beers, brats and broads for cryin out loud!)

@PrisonerxOfxLove - Yeah, thanks for all your support. I'll be writing your name in tomorrow.....

@virtus1 - I was a court reporter in my past life so, yes I know what to say but I appreciate the link, pal Joey. I say, do you think you could show up in the a.m. with one of your home-brewed beverages? I do believe I would be able to tolerate the bullshit a bit more under the influence. Excusez-moi! My french slips out every now and again.....

@PPhilip - I tell you, P., it is amazing how many folks don't show up! It really pisses me off! As much as I dread jury duty, I do believe it is the right thing to do......even though I do think its done wrong. Coming to stalk you now...(insert evil laugh....)

Posted 9/17/2012 8:32 PM by Kellsbella - - reply

a sheriff sort of like Barney Fife, carries his bullets in his pocket, claims to be Christian and threatens lawmakers that if they don't adhere to his rule he'll beat them with a baseball bat...yeah

Posted 9/17/2012 8:36 PM by godfatherofgreenbay

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@MrTrololo - You know and I know that a fair trial should be by peers randomly chosen. I do not believe they should be questioned before hand. It's absolutely ridiculous some of these questions that they pose. Furthermore, it's none of their business! The problem is that lawyers want to tie everything into one neat package, and that's just not the way life works! Now I've lost my temper....I thank you. Can I just say that I miss your happilymarriedguy avatar?

Posted 9/17/2012 8:50 PM by Kellsbella - - reply

@godfatherofgreenbay - Would you prefer a Libyan or Egyptian sheriff, angel? I'd take Barney any day of the week.

Posted 9/17/2012 8:56 PM by Kellsbella - - reply

But America put the Libyan and Egyptian sheriffs in power

Posted 9/17/2012 9:38 PM by godfatherofgreenbay

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I've never been summoned for jury duty, but I suppose now that I've finally registered to vote that I will be thrown into that pool.

Posted 9/17/2012 9:45 PM by Marica0701

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I want to be on a jury - I've been called but never chosen... Always a bridesmaid never the bride!

Posted 9/17/2012 10:06 PM by murisopsis

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@Kellsbella Sorry to hear of your plight. In the District of Calamity, I have to serve for a day or a case, as there are so few eligible to serve on a jury. They will NEVER pick me, so it's just a day of lost wages for just $4 metro money. If I get extended to a day 2, then I qualify for $32 a day.

While the process, especially getting into the Courthouse and the child-like treatment by juror services is nigglesome, I would rather have a jury of my peers (flawed as it may be) decide a potential case rather than have an insulated judge decide my fate.

Posted 9/18/2012 10:19 AM by districtofcalamity - - reply

@godfatherofgreenbay - And how many billions keep them in power? I tell you, it may very well come down to a modern-day "crusades." I really wish the Muslims here would speak out against this 7th century violence.

@Marica0701 - M., it's a pain in the tail, but it's for a good cause. I'm a bit of a chatty Cathy so I did meet some interesting folks while there. (I always have to look at the bright side.)

@murisopsis - You've just reminded me of a show I've done.....(plays muzak....) Here we go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhFXFG0DIUU

@salahua - Parle Francais, chere.

@districtofcalamity - Yes, yes; but do you not agree that the voir dire process is loaded?

Posted 9/18/2012 11:41 AM by Kellsbella - - reply

So, you're a 21 yr old, church going, Jewish boy loving, redneck? Lol.

I was summoned for jury service. It was an elder abuse case, where the elder died. I knew the arresting officer; our daughters were in competition cheerleading together. I was responsible for her when we competed in Hawaii. See, I tried telling them there was a "connection" dammit! But I had to sit all the way through, being impaneled and questioned, until finally I was excused. Geez!

Posted 9/18/2012 12:05 PM by soltero_alma

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I sat on a civil jury once in my grad school days in Kansas, but the first few times I was called here in Dallas, I never got selected. Sometimes a nosy question made the lawyers uneasy: "So if a 17-year-old has sex with a 12-year-old, is that legal?" The last time I was called, it was for misdemeanor court (indecent exposure), and I got chosen. It was actually rather interesting. I blogged about it a few months ago (has it been a year already?).

When I listened to the answers given by some of my fellow pool members during voir dire, I winced inside and thought, "I wouldn't want that person deciding my future!" None of those wince-inducers ended up in the jury. Generally juries do their best to see justice done, but, man, there are some knuckleheads out there! The jury I served on was made up of thoughtful, mature people, from what I could tell.

When we talked with our judge after the trial, she said she had never been disappointed by a jury's verdict. That surprised me.

I got $6 a day back in 1984. They still pay that amount the first day here in Dallas (plus a free bus pass), and $34 a day thereafter (no free bus). I always turn it down because my employer pays me.

Posted 9/18/2012 12:48 PM by Roadkill_Spatula

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@Roadkill_Spatula - I tell you, what is frustrating to me is the turnout. This really is a civic duty that should be taken seriously, but several people do not show up, and these days they pay no consequences. I will say that I do not like that attorneys ask leading questions (and they do) during voir dire. Oh well, I wasn't chosen so I'm a happy camper. (It pays to be juror #102)

I should like to know the title of your post for I'm fond of reading on court cases......probably from eating too much cheese! (I shall blame my silly WI boy, godfatherofgreenbay, for that!)

Posted 9/18/2012 1:39 PM by Kellsbella - - reply

http://roadkill-spatula.xanga.com/755654410/jury-duty/

Posted 9/18/2012 1:56 PM by Roadkill_Spatula

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federal jury was kind of interesting and it actually paid enough to cover lunch and parking downtown...

Posted 9/18/2012 4:18 PM by FlashFosgitt - - reply

My first wife had an affair with a lawyer. A few years later I am called to jury duty. The fellow is the lawyer for the defense. Guess what, he excluded me from the pool! Darn it. You know I would have been totally unbiased. Well, at least it got me out of that jury duty. PS Your pay for jury duty is better there than it is here.

Posted 9/18/2012 7:07 PM by vexations

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Hmm... I don't want to be in your shoes. I can't sit and listen to 'em all and do nothing else.

Posted 9/19/2012 10:10 AM by RestlessButterfly

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@ccrider17 - Yes, you have me pegged. Oh, I was a cheerleader in a past life, as well. Unfortunately, we did not get to go to Hawaii. What is silly is that I know a lot of the attorneys, but I don't think that should be a factor in deciding whether or not you're chosen.

@Roadkill_Spatula - Cool. I'm comin to stalk you...

@FlashFosgitt - The one time I got called for a federal case, I was pregnant......that's my luck.

@vexations - How many times have you been married? My first husband cheated on me but I liked the girl. Had she been a lawyer, I would've been unbiased as well.

@RestlessButterfly - Thankfully, I met some interesting fellas. I tend to be a bit of a chatty Cathy...

Posted 9/20/2012 7:41 AM by Kellsbella - - reply

Oh I will be a nervous wreck for sure! LOL! Go without make up and in shorts! Oh yeah! that will work out for sure.

Posted 9/20/2012 10:35 AM by angys_coco

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@angys_coco - I'm all talk. I dressed somewhat appropriately and wore make-up. Thankfully, I was not chosen.

Posted 9/20/2012 10:49 AM by Kellsbella - - reply

I was on jury duty last july. I liked it. We were not allowed to talk while the court was in session. Florida courthouses seem to be different if they let a juror talk like you say you do.

Posted 9/20/2012 2:58 PM by ZSA_MD

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