jury duty

crazy_frog · 10-01-2006, 02:32 PM

Hi all,

I have jury duty tomorrow. I was wondering what to expect. Do the attorneys ask questions of the potential jurrors like you see in the movies? Or is it more of a general orientation? Anyone serve on a jury here in mult co who would like to share their experience?

Pete · 10-01-2006, 03:24 PM

If you get called, yes, the attorneys will ask questions. Usually, you'll just sit in the big room, watch a video thanking you for fulfilling your civic duty to serve on a jury. Then a few folks will be called to serve on a panel and they'll leave the room. Bring something to do ... sitting in the room is dull as waiting for a train at a station where there is no train service.

crazy_frog · 10-01-2006, 03:36 PM

Thanks for the heads up. I am reading "salmon w/out rivers" so I will bring that along.

matttheduck · 10-01-2006, 03:39 PM

if you want to get out of there quick, just tell 'em you believe the police never arrest anyone who's not guilty. you'll be out of there in time for an early lunch.

crazy_frog · 10-01-2006, 03:53 PM

LOL. Well said. I think I am just going to go along for the ride. I thought about writing a letter explaining the "reasons" I can't attend. But I figured this is a good time to get it over. This is not the first time I have been called to serve. But it will be the first time I havent gotten out of it. Anyone else have any "reasons" they have used for non-attendance. Those can be pretty funny.

Mad Mikey · 10-01-2006, 04:12 PM

0

Pete · 10-01-2006, 05:07 PM

Keep in mind, too, that when you are on a panel, you are sworn ... you wouldn't want to get crossed up in a "story". There can be a lot of people in the room - judges, lawyers, family, and more. Just play it straight and it'll be fine. And be thankful that Multnomah County doesn't lock you in the Jury Room for 2 weeks, like they used to. I did that once and didn't get called until day 8.

By lunch time, they have an idea of how many people they'll need in the afternoon and they often let lots of people leave then.

troutski · 10-01-2006, 06:26 PM

I have been call a couple times, but never had to actually sat on a jury. Not that I would want to, where I live it is like a lottery - you get a summons and call a phone number on a certain date and check to see if your number is on a list, if not your excused. Can't help out on anything except like what was said above - bring something to do it is going to be a bit boring.....good luck and be honest to yourself, and you can't go wrong.

crazy_frog · 10-01-2006, 07:24 PM

Yeah I don't like the idea of attorneys asking a bunch of questions. But like a couple have said be honest, and you can't go wrong. Good words to live life by, in my opinion. The times I have gotten out of jury duty, I did feel that it was for a compeling reason. And a telephone call/letter cleared it up. Since your not compensated other than a few bucks it can be very consuming on a person/family. In a way I am excited about tomorrow, and I'll have my book and some paper as a backup plan.

lor · 10-01-2006, 11:11 PM

I was called once, it was the week of Thanksgiving.
The case lasted the entire week, except the break on thursday.
Its not so bad serving, provided you get to vote at the end.
Every jury has an un-identified alternate who gets nominated at the end and doesn't participate in the voting.

Abalone · 10-02-2006, 06:28 AM

This is probably going to sound Corny but here goes.

Take Jury Duty very seriously !

I do.

I hear a lot of people belly ache about serving.
The Jury system is the very basis of our society.
Honest citizens having a say in their community.
I serve Jury duty and almost always get selected.
I feel it is my civic duty and am proud to serve.
It is a great learning experience.

If you have good judgement and a sense of citizen ship
you can have a lot of influance on a jury by presenting
your view during deliberations.

If you don't like crime and am tired of the Steeling and the drugs and the other crimes then this is your chance.

WaterDog · 10-02-2006, 07:16 AM

I was called up last spring. Came in a couple times only to go back to work mid morning. Last call in I got the opportunity to sit on a jury. Trial lasted a day and a half and our deliberations almost 2.5 days. It was an interesting experience to say the least and while I would not say it was fun, it was entertaining, frustrating, and unbelievable all at the same time.

I likened the whole thing to the show �Survivor�. You throw a bunch of people with diverse backgrounds together, keep them locked up together for a few days, and try to solve a problem as a team. Some people you get along with great and others your wishing for tribal council so you can vote them off.

crazy_frog · 10-02-2006, 05:21 PM

I was there today at 8 am and done by 3:30. I was called to three panels but I didn't get picked to sit on any trials. There was a chance that I may had to sit in on a three week trial, but I asked to be dismissed since I am currently job hunting. Judge let me go. Anyway, overall a pretty interesting day. And, am glad that I don't have to go back. Once you have served you are not eligable again for 24 months.

burnsfactor · 10-02-2006, 05:42 PM

Once you go it's not that bad in my eye's. I've never been picked. Not that I didn't want to be. I was the only male in the room that had slacks and a shirt that couldn't be used for hunting. Two of the guys had to of just woke up. One guy had his shirt tucked into his underwear. I could go on. I got the boot. Everyone else stayed. I don't get it sometimes.

WaterDog · 10-02-2006, 06:43 PM

Quote:

And, am glad that I don't have to go back. Once you have served you are not eligable again for 24 months.

Lucky you. In Yamhill County you get to serve for 3 months. Yes, 3 months. It's really hard on an employer and plays hell with your life.

crazy_frog · 10-02-2006, 07:52 PM

And to think I almost moved to yamhil for an employment opp. That three months jury duty is enough to deter a man.

Tilla · 10-02-2006, 11:17 PM

I've been 3 times over the years. Lately Mult county has eased up and keeps you on call for only half a week. Some judges go the extra effort.
In one case when it settled (admission of guilt) before we got we were asked to deliberate, the judge, and the attorneys from both sides came to the jury room 40 minutes after and we were allowed to ask anything we wanted in an family incest case. They spoke frankly.We found out all the things we wanted to know but couldn't be told. The attorneys discussed their strengths and weaknesses regarding the case. Fascinating (and creepy)!
In the other case I was an alternate (13th juror). Since no juror fell ill, at the end of two days I was asked to leave but I was e-mailed the results of the juries decision and then a few days later was sent the judges decision. Pretty cool,it involved family squabbles over petty money and inheritance stuff involving an ex NFL coach! Even had people so overcome an ambulance was required.
So I feel lucky that my time was appreciated.

Mad Mikey · 10-03-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Lucky you. In Yamhill County you get to serve for 3 months. Yes, 3 months. It's really hard on an employer and plays hell with your life

Wow! I thought 2 months was tuff here in Union County. I wonder why so long? I'm sure Yamhill county has more people than Union Co.???

Digifish · 10-03-2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

This is probably going to sound Corny but here goes.

Take Jury Duty very seriously !

I do.

I hear a lot of people belly ache about serving.
The Jury system is the very basis of our society.
Honest citizens having a say in their community.
I serve Jury duty and almost always get selected.
I feel it is my civic duty and am proud to serve.
It is a great learning experience.

If you have good judgement and a sense of citizen ship
you can have a lot of influance on a jury by presenting
your view during deliberations.

If you don't like crime and am tired of the Steeling and the drugs and the other crimes then this is your chance.

Do your duty and be glad you have the opportunity.

I was the forman on a 5 week murder trial last fall and it was a huge responsability that I took very seriously as did all the othere jurors on the panel. I took a financial hit to spend that much time hearing the case but I was not going to shirk it. If you're called, please serve. Otherwise juries get packed with the most available persons and that is not a good thing. Typicaly ones that can't or won't hold a job and that is not a healthy cross section of our great society.

Norski · 10-03-2006, 05:58 PM

Well if you get on a case with a crack head steeling my truck, HANG HIM HIGH.
I didn't make it a show, and go truck, for some dumb a-- to strip it and sell all the goodies for his habit, YES IT WAS LOCK UP.

crazy_frog · 10-03-2006, 06:24 PM

Digifish pat yourself on the back for a stand up job.
I was suprised hearing people's occupation and educational background. Probably 25% of a panel had higher ed degrees including two people who were practicing attorneys. Most had at least a bachelors. With only a small percentage with out a college degree. Seemed like a lot of stand up men and women. Not that you need a degree to be a stand up. And not everyone with degrees are stand ups. As for the cases, the one I heard details on was a slip and fall at one of your local marts. Don't get me wrong there were a few guys that were talking to themselves and maybe one with his shirt tucked into his underware. That's life, put a smile on your face and enjoy it.