Jury Duty. Ugh.

new2hood

testiculon, I agree. I both love (free time to myself, delicious lunches as places I can't go regularly, the chance to watch our legal system in action--hokey, I know) and hate (wasted time, watching our legal system in action, and losing pay--I'm a freelancer) jury duty, but I really don't understand why it's such a drama to so many people (AB, your circumstances are totally understandable.)

old time brooklyn

Got out at 12:40pm. Viva la three day weekend. 80% of the people were let go. Sucks for the 20% that was left till after lunch.

testiculon

See? Not so bad. Thank you citizen.

opossumqueen

Do you actually need some paperwork to postpone?

I just got a summons to show up on the last day of classes this term before finals! Besides the fact that I am the type who never misses class, the prof's have said we *have* to be there (besides attendance being part of the grade, we'll be covering new material up to that point).

The only time I'll be not in classes and in town during the next 6 months is for a few days before Christmas--does anyone know if they operate up until then so I can reschedule then?

Why couldn't they have done this during the years I've been here and had much less pressing things jobs?? Missing work is so much less stressful than missing classes that meet only once or twice a week (and no where near the courthouse).

veets

OpossumQueen... If I am understanding this correctly... If this is the first postponment it is no big deal...just done by mail.

I did that recently and gave them some dates I"could" serve.

manic_depressive

possibly_maybe wrote: Last time I was called in, the officer guy who entertained us & called out names in the big initial waiting room joked -- after a long string of people who didn't declare their presence -- something to the effect of "and this is what we do to those who don't show up"...which I (and the crowd, from the collective chuckle they let out) understood to be "we just call the next name".

I don't know how serious he was (anyone ever test them?), but they certainly DO have far more than enough people in the pool the last 2 times I was called.

I have not responded to my last 2 jury duty notices,and so far nothing has happened. Just because it says that you may be fined and or imprisoned if you don't respond or show up for jury duty doesn't mean that they will do it.

They don't have the resources to track all the no shows down. In a small town yes but not in a big city like NYC.

sweet tea

^don't jump any turnstiles.

henrycurtis

I actually enjoyed Grand Jury Duty. I found it very educational, albeit maddening at times. It was fascinating how we as a jury changed from day one to day 10. I would say that if you come before a grand jury, you are better off if it is late in their cylcle! If I were a more disciplined writer, I would have written an essay/article about it.

easilyfound

manic_depressive wrote:
I have not responded to my last 2 jury duty notices,and so far nothing has happened. Just because it says that you may be fined and or imprisoned if you don't respond or show up for jury duty doesn't mean that they will do it.

They don't have the resources to track all the no shows down. In a small town yes but not in a big city like NYC.

Disgraceful.

duffyssis

Okay I am a fool but I lost my jury summons and I need to postpone the date. Whom do I call at the court house?

easilyfound

How to Apply for a Postponement or Excusal

All applications for postponements must be submitted prior to the date of jury service. If the summons indicates that you have had a prior postponement, or that you were absent the last time you were called, it is important that you report for jury service on the date the summons indicates.

If you have had no prior postponements, and would like to automatically file for your first postponement now, you can by phone at 1-800-449-2819.

If you are requesting to be excused from jury service due to a language problem, you must appear in person on the date and time you are summoned. Further instructions will be given to you at the location where you are summoned.

redmenace

henrycurtis wrote: I actually enjoyed Grand Jury Duty. I found it very educational, albeit maddening at times. It was fascinating how we as a jury changed from day one to day 10. I would say that if you come before a grand jury, you are better off if it is late in their cylcle! If I were a more disciplined writer, I would have written an essay/article about it.

Nice to know. I used up all my postponements and must serve starting next week.

stacey

EasilyFound wrote: If you are requesting to be excused from jury service due to a language problem, you must appear in person on the date and time you are summoned. Further instructions will be given to you at the location where you are summoned.

One of the funniest things I saw at jury duty was when the Senior Jury Clerk spoke to the whole group and said "all those who do not understand or speak English please stand up". When a whole group of people stood up he said "I guess you understand enough".

camaysar

I seem to recall that they asked me to pick my own date, within certain limits, after I begged off the first time (no excuse necessary). This would make another postponement unlikely. Anyway, in the event, I wasn't picked and was released after the second day. I was disappointed, as the case I was considered for was against Con Ed! Not that I wouldn't have been totally fair, more or less .

opossumqueen

Just called. The date you select has to be between 2 and 6 months after the already selected date.

I wanted to choose the first of 3 days I'll be not in school and in town (over Christmas break) but it was too soon by the above criteria. I don't have more than one day available within 6 months. Seriously, I've been here for years at jobs that I could miss, but now that I have something I refuse to miss, they summon me So frustrating.

I picked the one day a week I don't have classes, and am hoping I won't get selected b/c I'm not skipping class for jury duty. I'm paying too much for school to miss it.

opossumqueen

Oh, but I would love to sit in on a case where my old landlord is the lawyer. I'm pretty sure he's down there for the kinds of stuff the summons put you in.

He's such an asshole I'd hate to see him but would love to see him suck at his job and loose cases!

new2hood

I'm a freelancer and get paid by the day. I went in the one day I don't work, and at the end of the day, went to the clerk and got excused. they were very nice about it, actually. Just go in the one day, speak to the clerk, be very nice and cross your fingers.