Jury Duty: Do you try to get out of it?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’ve been enjoying the Have you ever served on a jury? thread. Then just this morning my boss said that he’s been called for jury duty, and has been trying to decide what he should say if questioned that will ensure he will not be chosen to serve. Stuff like “I hate cops” and “That guy sure looks guilty to me!”

I bit my tongue because I don’t agree with such tactics, and also because I don’t mind the idea of jury duty at all. At the very least, I get a paid day off from work to sit and read all day (though I realize this isn’t the case for everybody). But I actually go in hoping to get picked for a jury. I did it once and it was a truly interesting and unique experience. I’d be happy to serve again.

So, when you get that summons, do you try to get out of even showing up? Do you show up but try to get out of being chosen? Why or why not? And how do you go about it?

2

I would absolutely love to serve on a jury. However, I own a business and if I am not able to work I shut down. My employees are not happy about the time off without pay, and I cannot afford to pay them if there is no income coming in.

My quandary has gotten me excused each time I’ve been summoned.

3

No. I answer honestly and let them decide if they want me.

4

I had mixed feelings when I got called up. On the one hand, I thought it would interesting. OTOH, I really had no interest in the thought of being sequestered for several days. My letter said I would have to sit around in the jury waiting room from 8-4 Tuesday and Wednesday and wait to be called with about 100 other people. At noon on Tuesday myself and about 50 others were dismissed and told we didn’t have to come back. That concluded my jury service for the next 4 years.
So, in general, no, I wouldn’t try to get off the case…
But if I thought it was going to be a case that was going to involve be sequestered, I might see what I could do. No, I wouldn’t lie. But I might dig a bit deeper to find reasons why I shouldn’t be on the case. For example, in the typical ‘violence against a cop’ case. I might mention that my uncle is a cop…even though, truth be told, that (him specifically) really wouldn’t sway my feelings about cops one way or the other, not that they have to know that.

5

I would really like to serve on a jury. Sadly, I’ve only even been summoned 3 times in 25 years of eligibility. Twice, I didn’t have to show up, just called in each day. Once I was put on a panel, but they had their jury picked before they got to me.

6

As in the other thread, I just ignore the summons. Worked so far. If pressed to show up via threats from the court, I would try to get out of it. I have no interest in serving at all, just like voting I would have no impact on the process.

7

I couldn’t find a definitive number, but it’s my understanding that sequestration is fairly rare. Maybe someone who knows more about it (or is a better googler than I) will come along and provide a percentage.

8

I was summoned once, went, and was not selected. I did not want to serve, but would have since it really is a pretty light responsibility, all things considered.

9

I get called for jury duty every year like clockwork (shortage of suitable jurors in DC makes it much different than most other places in the US), and my work is pretty understanding that it is a civic duty. I have only been empaneled once.

I believe my personal integrity would be seriously harmed if I lied or exaggerated to a judge’s face for the express purpose of getting out of jury duty. I believe that is unethical behavior, to say nothing of it being illegal, and I simply would not do such a thing.

10

I’ve lived at the same address for 15+ years (in St. Paul, Minn.), voted in nearly every election possible, and have had a driver’s license for 35 years.

I have never been summoned. Go figure.

(However, Mrs. Spiff served on a jury about five years ago.)

Anyway. if I ever get summoned, I intend to show up, and say the same thing anytime any official asks me a question:

“My name is [my IRL name] and I refuse to participate in this racist system.”

I will repeat this ad nauseum until they kick me out the door.

11

Can you elaborate? Is this based on your sincerely-held beliefs? Or do you just not want to serve and figure this will be an effective way of getting out of it?

12

Oh, most definitely a most sincerely held belief.

13

Then why not fight it? Personally, I believe in the concept of jury nullification as a way of fighting unjust/corrupt laws. I would not bring this up, or they’d toss my ass.

14

This. I’m called because they need me, so I go.

Like you, I’ve only been empanelled once, but it was a fascinating experience.

15

Even without taking it to the exreme of jury nullification, wouldn’t your non-racist presence on a jury be a step toward change in itself?

16

If, heaven forbid, I were ever on trial for something I would want a jury of open minded and intelligent people. I figure that everyone else probably wants the same thing so I wouldn’t ever try to get out of jury duty and when I served I made a point of keeping an open mind while listening to all the evidence before deciding anything.

17

Extreme?:dubious:

18

This. I want the system to work properly, therefore it is incumbent on me to try to contribute to a properly-working system.

19

I am old-fashioned–I do not particularly *want *to serve, but feel it is my duty and would *never *attempt to weasel out of it.

20

You know, I love all the threads in the PIT calling Juries stupid, then supposedly “intelligent” posters going on about how they can’t be bothered to serve on a jury… just saying.

It’s your duty, dammit.