Federal district jury duty- CRAP!

[Grov]

If all the people who are smart enough to get out of jury duty do so, just imagine who is making the judgments...  Being on that jury is an honor and a duty.  I know it disrupts your daily routine for a bit and can be a bit of a hassle but I know that if I had to plead my case before any jury, I would hope they would be a 12 pack of Rennies (or other group of above average intelligences) rather than 12 folks too lazy or dumb to get out of serving.   I served years in the US Navy, what is a couple hours/days/weeks in a courthouse?

[KeeperoftheBar]

Grov, I agree with you.  Serving on a jury should be an honor but so rarely is.  To a potential juror it is a new experience and a challenge.  But to the judges, attorneys and court clerks it is just another day at the salt mine.  Hence those in authority treat the jurors like small children at best, like cattle to the slaughter at worst.  I was in a selection room once with about 20 other potential jurors where the clerk must have been a grumpy ex-librarian.  She allowed no lalking whatsoever and chastised an older man for rustling his paper too loudly.  So we sat there in total silence for four hours before being dismissed.  They did not select a single person the entire morning.  What a complete waste of time and effort for which we were paid the princely sum of $7 and parking was $10.  Generally it seems the jurors are treated little better than the defendant. 

[Tipsy Gypsy]

As I said before:

(Insert mini gripe, here) My husband, FIL, both parents, numerous counsins/uncles and dear friends all wore the uniform to insure that we have the right to trial by jury. That I don't have an issue with. I do get pretty flippin' tired of being called on, however. JMO, but it seems to me that most of these issues go back to people basically being incapable of acting right and/or unable to resolve their issues like grownups, and other people having to do it for them. Needless to say, I'm not the most sympathetic of jurors. Ok, rant over- not gonna get into a flame war over that one.

*snip* If I have to do this, I want it as BS-free as possible.

I have served on more juries than I can count, and my sense of duty and patriotism are not the issue.

Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions, empathy, and your own war stories. My number will come up eventually, of course, but at least now I have a little more time to plan if it does.

[Yrose]

I was called for Federal Jury in Houston, They paid decent, covered parking, and will pay an amount for your hotel if outside of 50 miles. I was called for some of the Enron people. I was there from 7 am to almost 8 pm one day only. I could have served but told the judge it would be a financial burden on me for I'm the sole income for my family. They predicted a 4 month sequestered period for that trial. Take a good book, there are plenty of places to eat lunch in the tunnels. Just follow some of the people. If you get picked you can get a room off a bus line. IF you have a cell phone with a camera they will make you give it up and give you a claim ticket. Check your purse for clippers and stuff just like the airports. No eating in jury room that includes chewing gum. It was interesting though and if it had not been predicted to be that long I would have gladly served. Also on carry books to get you out of jury duty, the Bible works every time.

[Trillium]

I am so glad I live in Galveston county!!  The pay isn't that bad, don't have to pay parking, there is now a new court building, the clerks will happily excuse you for a full day when you only served half.    The only bad part is if you don't get selected to serve on a jury, you still have to call in every evening to see if you have to report back for another selection until the week is over.

Just bring a book, a sweater, and make sure you don't have a pocket knife in your purse!

[Seryn]

I've never served on a jury or even been called.  Well, I was called once for Bexar County, but it was about 2 months after I'd moved to Travis County.  I called the clerk and asked what I should do and was told to disregard the notice.  So that was it. Never been called since.  I do see it is a right and a privelage to serve.  But I also do not agree with the government forcing people to do it.  It should honestly be an option.  For one, I do not agree with forcing people into any form of service.  Also, I think the whole system would be better served by having a jury of people who want to serve instead of people who are there begrudgingly, grumpy and angry and just wishing to get it over with.  But that's just my opinion, of course.

[Tipsy Gypsy]

I think the whole system would be better served by having a jury of people who want to serve instead of people who are there begrudgingly, grumpy and angry and just wishing to get it over with.  But that's just my opinion, of course.

Agreed, and if I were ever a defendant (heaven forbid...), I especially wouldn't want that!

[brier patch charlie]

I'ts funny how some people get call all the time  and some NEVER get called for it.

[Yrose]

I am so glad I live in Galveston county!!  The pay isn't that bad, don't have to pay parking, there is now a new court building, the clerks will happily excuse you for a full day when you only served half.    The only bad part is if you don't get selected to serve on a jury, you still have to call in every evening to see if you have to report back for another selection until the week is over.

Just bring a book, a sweater, and make sure you don't have a pocket knife in your purse!

That's for county court. I live in Montgomery county and have been to jury duty there too, but Federal is different it is for all of South East Texas and you could be called for it one day. But, like I said they will pay towards a hotel if you live outside of 50 miles from the court house.