Just *(%^$# wonderful... I have a notice from the federal district court in Houston to report on Jan 26, unless I hear a message the night before saying not to report. (Some positive vibes, prayer, juju, or whatever you've got would be appreciated!) There aren't enough punctuation marks on my keyboard to fully express my @%&^ing joy. After a nasty car wreck in Houston a few years ago, the prospect of driving in downtown freakin' Houston absolutely gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Looking at their website is confusing- I don't know whether to plan to be there for one day, or several. Any of you guys been through this, or know someone who has? I'd appreciate knowing what to anticipate, if you can shed some light for me. I really don't know anything about this.
Crap. Just farkin' wunnerful. ::) >:(
Quote from: Tipsy Gypsy on January 04, 2009, 01:05:35 PM...
After a nasty car wreck in Houston a few years ago, the prospect of driving in downtown freakin' Houston absolutely gives me the heebie-jeebies.
...
Have you considered using
Metro - Park & Ride (http://www.ridemetro.org/SchedulesMaps/ParkRide.aspx)?
Take Care,
David Baldock
Just remember that you are invited to participate in one of our rights - trial to a jury of our peers.
For the 10 years I lived in Harris County, I was called to county court about every year (they kept redoing the lists). Twice I went to the jury selection room and didn't get picked. Twice I got selected to a jury, with one time not getting selected after viour dour {sp} because the guy getting tried was charged with stealing from cars in the same area my Son's car was broken into earlier (can we hang thieves still?). The one time I went all the way to trial was for a child pornography case. After we gave him 15 years, we found he had prior jail sentences on the same charge.
Still in Harris County, I was selected for federal court twice. Once I was on call for the week of eligibility. Every morning I called in as was told my services were not required, so I went to work. The other time, I got called in and waited in the jury room for 4 hours. After that, the court clerk dismissed us.
The parking area for the county sucks, as the parking fee costs around the amount the court pays. Federal is better, as parking is in the theater district and is cheaper during the day, plus the court pays more. In addition, my company pays for a full day wage, even if only called in for 4 or 5 hours.
When I moved to Brazoria County, I was only called to jury duty once. The parking is easy and free. The courtroom was a piece of artwork, with judges portraits all around the walls. The judge came in wearing a cowboy hat and boots. Around noon, he came back in and thanked us for our service and dismissed us.
I spent 20 years serving my Country to ensure we have the freedoms we have, so I have no problem serving on a jury.
Use to get called for jury duty but made the mistake of quoting my constitutional rights to the judge and now I'm blacklisted. Judges and lawyers don't like informed jury or people that understand their constitutional rights it seems.
Quote from: Tipsy Gypsy on January 04, 2009, 01:05:35 PM
Looking at their website is confusing- I don't know whether to plan to be there for one day, or several. Any of you guys been through this, or know someone who has?
Assuming your system is the same there as it is here in Colorado, it's one day or one trial. Meaning, you will get assigned to one trial and will have to sit on that for as long as it takes, or you will sit there in the waiting area for a few hours and eventually not have your name called at all, and you're free to go home. Every time anyone in my family (including myself) have ever been summoned for jury duty, we've gone and sat for a few hours before being dismissed. So hopefully you will get lucky there.
The problem for me in not knowing how to plan is that it's a 180 mile round trip, meaning I'll have to stay overnight in Houston for the duration and get hotel accommodations, preferably along the Metro route so I don't have to navigate the insane downtown streets. However, if I don't plan for long enough and can't extend my stay where I am, then I've got to find someplace else in the middle of all this, etc.
(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.
Really all I'm asking is what to expect, since they don't make it all that clear. If I have to do this, I want it as BS-free as possible.
Thanks :)
Yes it is a responsibility as a citizen to serve on a jury when called. It is also my right to express distain for the way the courts handle their affairs and politely expressing my dislike is also my right.
Most of the people I know called to jury duty are asked to sit on civil maters! Joe six pack got some late night TV type lawyer to sue someone else for some silly reason and feels the right to drag the rest of us in on it.
I feel for you, I really do.
Whenvever you have to go, take a good book with you. I've only been called to jury duty twice. The first time they let me out of it because I was pregnant and very close to my due date. The second time was about 2 years ago. It can be real drag, having to sit there practically all day only to be dismissed. On my very last day I got called for selection. They were trying a domestic violence case. I was actually hoping to get chosen to help put the sob away, but I got rejected because I was once a victim. Good luck.
I've been called for Federal Court once, (called and didn't have to report), County court 3 times (unassigned twice and assigned to a trial once but not selected) and city court once (unassigned).
I'm all for doing our civic duty but frankly they usually treat jurors like trash. I'd gladly give up the minimal pay for a little respect from the court workers, the attorneys and the judges. They all make me feel like I am in the first grade again.
Guaranteed way to get out of jury duty is to take along a "controversial" book. I have a great biography of Heinrich Himmler that works very well. That or innocently ask about Jury Nullification.
In my lifetime I have gotten one notice. Called them up on the day specified and wasn't required to go. Go figure.
I have been summoned to Federal Court twice. I was put on juries both times. I hate to tell you this but if you actually go down you will probably be seated on a jury becasue the feds don't call in the masses of people like the county courts do.
Federal jurors are treated much better than county jurors. We were escorted evrywhere we went, we had our own private break room with coffee and doughnuts, and a bathroom adjacent to the courtroom.
However it is possible that the judge will give you a hardship release because of the length of your commute. You will have to talk to the judge in person to get that though.
Here's to hoping you call in and don;t have to report.
My wife did Federal jury duty in downtown Houston a few years ago -- I've only had local jury duty.
You can ride metro buses for free and they stop and pick up right near the federal jury duty building.
The feds also pay much more than the city -- it was $40 a day when my wife went compared to the whole $6.00 a day the city paid me. The conditions are a lot nicer, too.
If you get selected, it'll be a federal case, not some low level civil matter.
"That or innocently ask about Jury Nullification."
Yea what I did like I said seems lawyers and judges who are lawyers have issues with juriers who know their rights and can think for themselves.
'K, so here's a thought- howzabout I bring along a book to be seen reading, like Anne Coulter's newest one- "Guilty"? Would that help? ;)
I got called in Harris County on a capital murder case. One of the questions on the 20+ page questionnaire was (basically): Do you think justice can be bought? It was right after the OJ case & I wrote - yes, see OJ Simpson as a prime example. I also threw in that I was a legal secretary for the last decade. They declined my service.
But Harrris CO does treat jurors like crap. By the time you factor in gas & parking (which they don't pay for in full) and a day's work (if you are hourly), you've lost a big chunk of change.
I bet you walk in and start reading any book by Anne Coulter, and they send you out on a rail.
I have never been called up for juror duty, and with me working for the DOJ, pourable never will. But I think it would be neat to see how Justice's is supposed to work.
So, what do you think would happen if you walked in with a copy of 'Mien Kampf' and Machiavelli's 'The Prince'? ::)
Quote from: captfletcher on January 06, 2009, 08:28:25 AM
So, what do you think would happen if you walked in with a copy of 'Mien Kampf' and Machiavelli's 'The Prince'? ::)
I serious doubt that anyone at the court house would have the historical knowledge to have ever heard of either of those works and most likely only one in a thousand of the employees at the the court house would ever heard of either author in any context.
Quote from: brier patch charlie on January 06, 2009, 06:40:17 AM
...But I think it would be neat to see how Justice's is supposed to work.
Me too, but I don't think you would see how it is supposed to work in court! ;D
Sorry, too easy of a shot!
I've jokingly considered looking for a copy of The Anarchist's Cookbook, but I don't wanna wind up in a cell of my own! ::) ;D
So... What happened? Does homeland security now have a file on you? Are you an instigator of anarchy? Or just "Mostly Harmless"?
Here's something I learned earlier this year on criminal court jury duty. They were seating six jurors for a DUI. There were 25+ people pulled into the room for voir dire.
The lawyers are each allowed to strike three jurors, starting from the first row. Then they MUST take the next people in line. So if you are in the first 12, you have a fifty percent chance of being seated. The rest - not likely. Now, the only reason they bring in more than 12 is so they can reshuffle if they need. If they look at the way people are seated, and say (this is ONLY an example and NOT meant to be thought of as racists or bigoted or anything in any such way) there are 6 white women in a row and 9 black women in a row, and the defendant is a black man. The lawyers may ask for a reshuffle, as there are NO men that would get picked and if they skipped all the white women, then they would have only black women to choose from. That's not a diverse group, so they would ask for a reshuffle. They dismiss the jurors, put their numbers in a different (hopefully more random) order, and call them back in.
Capt Marga
I always thought they could strike a potential juror for cause and up to three without cause. With cause might be a receint mugging victim in a mugging trial. But as I am not a lawyer, what do I know. Of course, I would rather cut my throat than be a lawyer. Don't like them in the least, lowest form of life in existence, gunk pulled out of a wino's bellybutton has more moral fiber than your typical attorney.
Go ahead, ask me how I really feel.......
It may be true they can strike a juror for cause, but I did pull the clerk of the court aside and ask him. That's how he explained it to me. In cases like that, they'd probably agree NOT to strike one of the first six so that they could strike the 7th (the victim, whatever).
Might be worth researching.
Suffice it to say, I was not impressed by the opening statements of either lawyer at the Voir dire I sat in on...
Capt Marga
No one has to serve on jury duty if they do not want to because they can just say they aren't comfortable deciding the guilt or innocence of other people and do not judge others in such a manner.
The bottom line is that no one is forced to be on a jury if they do not want to be because they wouldn't be suitable to impartially judge the facts.
Regards,
CB
That may be true, I have never tried it. However they can FORCE you to be there, wasting your time, treating you little better than cannon fodder while they of the legal profession prance around like they are God's gift to civilization simply because they can.
One time I had to report for Harris County jury duty and was assigned to go for jury selection. As this was an "experiment" they paraded us several blocks to a different court where the Judge immediately decided to break for lunch. Why he couldn't have done it before we were moved to the new building is beyond me. The first building had a cafeteria and the second one had no food whatsoever. As this was before StudMuffin I decided to go hungry as the prospect of seeking nourishment was daunting to say the least.
Nope, I don't like Lawyers or Judges or the legal system. Too much "precidence" and not enough common sense.
When I was living in San Antonio, TX last year, I was summoned for jury duty. In the notice mail, they included a one day use Metro bus pass. There was also a notice saying they would give us a new one a day if needed, but that was only if they kept calling us back. I called in on the day they told me too and they didn't need me. That was the first and only time in my 25 years so far that I have been summoned. I bet you anything that I just jinxed myself on that!
Quote from: captfletcher on February 18, 2009, 08:52:16 PM
So... What happened? Does homeland security now have a file on you? Are you an instigator of anarchy? Or just "Mostly Harmless"?
A. probably
B. mwahahahahaha!
C. Harmless? *snerk*! You don't know me any better than that, by now? :D
I managed to weasel out for the time being, but I'm up again in June. Suuuperrr... Got my Ann Coulter book and my Ollie North bio to bring along, and I'm gonna practice my goose-step in the meantime. At the very least, it'll contribute to a good pair of legs... In the meantime, I'm open to any suggestions to enhance my right-wing aura. I figure, they don't care for anyone who leans too strongly either way, and although I couldn't pull off a liberal act for more than a few minutes without giggling, Uber-Conservative is just a stronger version of me!
Print up a couple brochures from the Fully Informed Jury Association http://www.fija.org/ (http://www.fija.org/) and keep them in view/read them where the lawyers and judge can see you. You will be struck for cause.
Mwah! Gramercy, good sir! :-* :-* :-*
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?
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.
As I said before:
Quote from: Tipsy Gypsy on January 04, 2009, 06:02:49 PM
(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.
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.
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. ;D 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. :P
Just bring a book, a sweater, and make sure you don't have a pocket knife in your purse!
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.
Quote from: Seryn on February 20, 2009, 05:04:07 PM
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!
I'ts funny how some people get call all the time and some NEVER get called for it.
Quote from: Trillium on February 20, 2009, 04:26:21 PM
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. ;D 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. :P
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.