Who here has served on jury duty and has a good excuse to get off?

me ^ | Feb. 6, 2002 | me

[bootless]

Well, I just made it through jury duty with two phone calls. I prepared myself to work nights (I'm self-employed), and called in the night before - received instructions to call the next day at 11:30-12 noon. I did that, and was informed that my group (and 9 others) had completed our jury duty.

Here's what I was going to do ... just to see what would happen. I was prepared to serve, and actually would have liked to, except for getting squeezed with work, which I can't afford. I am currently reading Barbara Olson's "Hell to Pay." I needed reading material - you might, too.

Voir dire is where the attorneys select or reject prospective jurors, and they ask you questions. They don't much like people with strong political opinions.

OTOH, if you can manage to survive economically throughout the trials, I personally think we need more Freepers (i.e., smart and informed people of character) on juries. I keep thinking of O.J.

[counterrevolutionary]

Use the Homer Simpson ploy: tell them you're prejudiced against all races.

(Actually, I agree with those who say you should serve, but that's not as amusing.)

[bayourod]

You will be under oath and should tell the truth. Be honest and tell the judge that since you don't know any of the people involved in the case or anything about the facts of the case that you could not possibly be an informed juror.

Also tell him that you just got layed-off and want to just lay around the house for a couple months drawing unemployment.

[greydog]

Tell the Judge that Bill Clinton is your idol.

He will give you a deferment, especially in the 9th district.

[randita]

I second JeanS and her recommendation that you serve and don't care if I'm called a "goody two shoes". Two many juries consist solely of retired folks, unemployed people or federal workers (who get paid even though they're excused from work for jury duty). Unless it is a huge, and I mean HUGE financial burden or you are required to care for family members and there is no other choice, you should serve.

I served a few years ago. The trial lasted only two days. As a self-employed (part time) worker, I lost out on two days pay, but it was my civic duty and I had no really good excuse.

[KC_for_Freedom]

If you're self-employed you can always use the "economic harship" defense to get out of jury duty.

When I was called the judge started off saying that economic hardship would not be considered an excuse with him. I was selected and had a great time. PS, the guy was guilty and I helped convince the holdeouts that thay should go along.

I also have been rejected several times:
Family who work with law enforcement is often a good excuse
Having an education that goes beyond college makes the lawyers worry
Holding a top secret clearance (which I do ) makes me look unlikely to side with my criminal buds (Which I don't)
Having strong personal feelings about the case because...
I think it is easy to get off. However the system needs more FReepers in the jury box.

[GOPJ]

You're a citizen, right? It's your duty. Have fun.

[Old Professer]

Death to the infidels!

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Mention that you are a member of the Fully Informed Jury Association and wish to know whether the jury is going to have the concept of jury nullification explained to them.

[riley1992]

I'm assuming that was sarcasm but if you think for one minute I am leaving my children with God only knows who to do that, you have another thing coming. I will serve and gladly do so, when my children are older. Until then. Tough.

[FITZ]

Another way here is to be enrolled in college. Taking one or two courses is a good thing to do anyhow.

[LasVegasMac]

Print this thread and show the judge

Good one! LoL.

LVM

[samiam5]

I have a friend who was called to serve on jury duty. He told me he brought a rope and said "hang 'im".

He was promptly dismissed.

[Tunehead54]

Two words will get you off: "jury nullification." But, now that I know about it, I WANT to get on a jury and use it. The trick will be not getting thrown off beforehand. It would be good if more people could manage to get on juries who know about jury nullification.

---

"Jury Nullification" - a tool for jurors to ignore the law and return what they consider to be a just verdict.

Its only correctly used to prevent an injustice - any other use invites anarchy.

Why would you hope to get on a jury to employ such a device without even knowing the facts of the case? Is no one guilty?

Save it for the important stuff.

[BunnySlippers]

I am off the list forever. I have no hearing in one ear ... in fact my doctor is John House of the House Ear Clinic where Rush had his surgery.

[riley1992]

Did you have to show medical proof of your hearing problem? And, how was your adventure the other day?

[clintonh8r]

There's a bright side to this. Reduces the chance you'd ever serve on my jury.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Goodie Two Shoes Alert!

You have absolutely no right to complain about the justice system or the results of any trial. Goofs like you let guys like OJ get off. (My wife wanted to try some of the dodges suggested here. I told her to watch out for a contempt of court citation. But in her case it wouldn't be an affection. As far as she's concerned, if the cops arrest them, they must be guilty, and they should all get hung. Some how I think if Tom Brady ever faces the same evidence as OJ did, she'd find it in her heart to let him off.)

[mathurine]

I have never been called, but my wife has been called three times. However, in the end she was never seated on a jury and never came close. She would have been a good juror. I would probably be a prosecutor's friend since I have a low tolerance for social deviants. Indeed I would not mind being called so I could send or keep some of the antisocials in slammers. Something new and different to do.