jury duty

apartment blues

I served jury duty yesterday at 360 Adams Street in Brooklyn. We were told that jurors could step outside for only one reason – to smoke. It was explained to us that even though there are coffee and food vendors right in front of the building, only smokers could go outside for a maximum of ten minutes. It was further explained that people who go out to grab coffee or a snack may wander away and even go home to watch television. We were informed that if you came inside after smoking, you could ask the clerk if your name was called, but if you came inside after grabbing a coffee and asked if your name was called, then you would be marked absent.

I have never smoked a cigarette in my life, but next time I have jury duty I may bring one with me so I have permission to step outside for a few minutes

bcodsnpkslope

aint it wonderful how youre demanded to do your civic duty and they treat you worse and with less rights than the criminal or defendant in the case?
Last time i got called for that stuff i heard they would not allow electronics in the room either

MOD

Can you bring a laptop? I'm sure there is not a place to plug in right?
I've been called too... :x

apartment blues

There were about 20 computers set up for jurors, but the internet was out almost the entire day so they were of no use. They tell you to bring a laptop because they have free internet, but as I said, the internet was out most of the day. I was on the 5th floor and asked the guard where the water fountain was. I was told that the pipes were rusty and that the court could not afford to put in new drinking fountains. I couldn't buy a drink because the vending machines did not accept five dollar bills and I had no change. Trapped until 1.

So we are told that we can only get fresh air if we are smokers and that providing water is too expensive. Now I understand that NYC is a "special" place, but this strikes me as absurd.

Another absurdity - the sound system is so bad it felt like a joke. The court personal just stopped using it and just talked really loudly to a room of about 250 people. It made me feel like I live in a broken city.

And one more absurdity - a court clerk announced that people who did not understand English should come to the front to be screened for English language skills. But of course, this announcement was made only in English, not Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, etc. Totally absurd.

apartment blues

Mamacita,

I did not see any plugs for laptops. Perhaps there were some in the lounge, but not in the main room.

carnivore

Apartment Blues wrote: Mamacita,

I did not see any plugs for laptops. Perhaps there were some in the lounge, but not in the main room.

There were a few outlets in the side room the last tie I was there, and the Internet worked fine. At least you're good for 8 years now. Now that they've eliminated most exemptions and vastly expanded the pool of potential jurors, you'll probably only have to do this maybe 8-10 times in your entire life if you're lucky.

opossumqueen

I wasn't selected for a jury, so maybe that area is different, but in the main selection room I saw several outlets. The key was to get there early enough to position yourself at one.

g2bdon

So when you come back inside and ask if they called your name and they say "yes", just tell them you went out for a smoke (even though you really went out for coffee). I'm sure they won't ask to see your cigarettes. We survive because we are New Yorkers!

windsore

Thanks for the tips, I was summoned today. I'll bring a loosie.

carnivore

Windsore wrote: Thanks for the tips, I was summoned today. I'll bring a loosie.

Aways reschedule at least once, even if you don't need to. It means fewer times you'll serve over the course of your life.

cathh

Apartment Blues wrote:

And one more absurdity - a court clerk announced that people who did not understand English should come to the front to be screened for English language skills. But of course, this announcement was made only in English, not Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, etc. Totally absurd.

When I had jury duty and they said that, they made it sound like a joke-- that is, if you understood that announcement and went up, your grasp of the English language was fine. I thought it was a rather lame attempt to be amusing...

opossumqueen

cathh wrote: [quote=Apartment Blues]

And one more absurdity - a court clerk announced that people who did not understand English should come to the front to be screened for English language skills. But of course, this announcement was made only in English, not Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, etc. Totally absurd.

When I had jury duty and they said that, they made it sound like a joke-- that is, if you understood that announcement and went up, your grasp of the English language was fine. I thought it was a rather lame attempt to be amusing...

Same here. The guy laughed after saying it. Then some announcements were made is several other languages. I really thought the whole thing wasn't too bad.

ringrunner

Not a joke.

It is one thing to understand the question "Do you speak English?" it is another to follow a trail.

jangille

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/brooklyn-ny/TE4DM2HDOAQHVPGHI

I was a Jury Clerk in Brooklyn for 24 years.

A supervising jury clerk was caught on tape

having sex with an underling in taxpayer funded office space during court office hours and beyond. Even with

a spotless record Nancy T Sunshine had to supress a scandal and retaliate by firing me. The mistress of the

clerk involved in the affair is still working in the jury division.She is very well connected to management. This is how your tax dollors are being used. Are you outraged?

Make some noise then!This is an injustice! Thank you!

by firing m

ringrunner

Heads, up.

When I clicked the link at the top of the post above my Norton's Anti Virus lit up like the 4th of July.

easilyfound

To the OP I suggest that you inform someone in the court system about your experience. I would not write to Ms. Sunshine. You should write to the statewide jury office, which is at:

Office of Court Administration/Jury Support Office

25 Beaver Street, Room 975

New York, New York 10004

Do not assume that the central office knows what each local office is doing. You should be allowed to go outside just like a smoker. Plus, if they aren't going to allow that, they should have functioning vending machines in the building and water for prospective jurors, and I'm not talking about what that you must pay for. There should be water coolers. You never know for how long the internet has been down, but it shouldn't be difficult to maintain the wifi.

What you described is terrible and you should complain. If not, nothing will change.

easilyfound

Just noticed this thread is ancient.

jangille

There are no viruses or spyware on my link!

SOMEONE DOESN'T WANT YOU TO READ THIS!