Jury Duty. Ugh.

I haven't tried postponing in person, but if it makes you feel any better, they really try to get people done in one day now. When I was there last month, the comissioner of jurors came in and told us that they will only keep you an extra day if you happen to get selected for a case, and the case runs into the next day. Since your day is on a Friday in the summer, in all likelyhood, there will be very few cases scheduled (lawyers and judges want to head out for the weekend). I was only there until 2:30pm! I'm pretty sure they won't let you postpone on account of your family reunion, but at least chances are you won't be there very long.

well, there is another option which one can do. you can ignore it until you get the notice threatening to fine you 250 dollars if you dont show up. that might be a few down the line as i dont know fully what part of the delay game you are in! you MUST show up for that date however, no excuses of they will fine you 250 and threaten you with a 500 fine if you dont come the next time. you would be amazed at how many people do this as the room was jam packed to the gills with only people who ignored all their notices until the fine was levied . the judge will then tell you he will rescind the fine as you are there. dont try and leave early or sneak out! they will hold you for a day or perhaps a day and a half for formaility and if they dont need you, they will dismiss you and give you the letter saying you have served. valid for 4 years. just so you know, this is another way to play the game.

It's easy. Show up in person, give them a date. Only works once.

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.

You can postpone your jury service a second time by just filing out the back of the card and sending it in. If you want to talk to a live person about this you can call 347-404-9768.
Have fun on your trip

If your going to get back a few days after your date, don't sweat it, but go after you return.
I know people that have ducked it for years and years. They will eventually come with the warrant squad to pick you up, but that likely wont happen until after a dozen notices and you are on the radar.

For others reading this, don't like the crime in the hood, go serve and excersize your power. If you go and want to get out of it, just tell them how you really feel about the judicial system. They'll let you go and never call you again.

Subject: Re: Jury Duty. Ugh.

tapdame wrote: I have a bit of a conundrum. I have already postponed my jury date once, and now I have been called Aug 15th, which is right in the middle of a family runion/wedding that I will be attending in MN. The notice states that I must show up in person prior to my date of service to try to postpone again, but I've heard that you have to have pretty dire circumstances for this to work. Has anyone else been in this sticky situation? Advice??

Go down to the office Adams Street. Bring your train or plane tickets, plus any other info you have showing you will be out of town. You probably won't even need it if show show up in person in advance.

I did this 2 weeks ago for Grand Jury (which you cannot be excused from). It was not a problem. A month ago, a friend did this for regular jury and also had a very easy time.

The problems arise when you ignore the notice and just don't show or respond.

superjonbot wrote: I never get jury duty, when they call I pretend I'm a racist against filipinos, since I'm one, I don't feel guilty afterwards. Like I usually say, "Hello.... sure i'll do jury duty, as long as there are no damn filipinos that make sweet love like a sex mega machine while tears of joy come out of your eyes as your friends watch in passionate wonderment."... then they usually hang up on me, I love pretending I'm racist.

then pray you never get called to Grand Jury. You have to serve - there is no getting out of it. And they don't care if you come in wearing a Klan costume.

11 days, 7 hours a day.

Can I bring a laptop and work while I'm there? Supposed to go this Friday.

I really don't understand why doing this once every 8 years is such a burden to people.

God forbid you are ever accused of a crime you didn't commit and have to rely on people who want to be anywhere but there to make a huge decision about the rest of your life.

Just suck it up, take it seriously, and do it.

Testiculon wrote: I really don't understand why doing this once every 8 years is such a burden to people.

Agreed. However, I can understand being annoyed if your employer does not pay you or if you work for yourself and lose income while going to jury duty.

I postponed my second date with no problem whatsoever. I had just been diagnosed with MS two days before and sorry, but sitting in a room with a bunch of strangers only two days after finding out I could wind up blind, crippled and a burden to my family (yes, extreme, I know) was the LAST place I could handle. The woman downstairs was the nicest woman in the world - and I have a date with the court on Jan. 16th now, by my choice. She wasn't even going to make me reschedule.