Received a summons for jury duty from US District Court...

The term begins on 11/10 and runs through 04/11. A paper badge was included, too.

I don't know quite what to make of this or how to feel about it. Can anyone offer advice on what to expect?

You'll probably just end up having to figure out if some guy the system failed is "guilty". That person used to be a child in this sick and twisted society too

I know a private school headmaster's wife who was rejected from jury duty for no reason except perhaps she was "too" educated. The rejecting party did not state that, but there was no other "reason" to reject her. Her children were grown, she had nothing to do all day but walk her dogs and she WANTED the jury duty.

Sick and twisted society is right.

I guess they don't like people who can lead and think.

:eyes:
rocktivity

That's the impression I get from the long "term". If it is, you'll probably meet once a week, at least that's what most jurisdictions do. It's actually very interesting. You'll hear a whole bunch of cases, and vote on whether or not to indict. You have a LOT of power to issue subpoenas, call witnesses, etc, althouh they try to keep a tight rein on you, you actually hold all the cards, it you want. I'd love to get on one and be the foreman.

Are actually very interesting, the jurors actually get to ask questions..

I served on a federal grand jury for a year. I tried to get out of it. I got a note from my employer saying they would face great hardship. The court ignored it. Basically said that NOBODY gets out of federal jury service unless they are too sick to attend.

If you are a juror and you don't show up on your designated day, they WILL send a Marshal's deputy out to your home or your work to pick you up and take you to the courthouse.

I lived over eighty miles away from the courthouse, so I had to stay overnight in a hotel every Monday. The feds paid for it and my food for the night.

They take jury duty VERY seriously.

And so should you.

Your jury duty experience will depend on whether your are a regular juror or a grand juror. A regular juror will basically be on call for your term of duty. If you get onto a trial, you will decide guilt or innocence.

A grand juror -- which is what I was -- will attend grand jury hearings every week, where the U.S. Attorney will present evidence in a case and ask that you send the proposed defendant to trial. You will not decide guilt or innocence.

Either way, it's an interesting, educational experience. And your employer cannot, by law, discriminate against you for serving.

One of my profs at school will love this when I tell her. It'll probably get me some extra credit, too. LOL

I was told that it did not matter. I had to show up. I did and was eventually dismissed but I certainly could not count on that happening. It would have been a minimum of four days to as much as 2 weeks. I felt a little guilty about being relieved not to serve but with my doors locked, I would have had no income.

Looking online there were trials with lumber company and another with oil company. I was looking forward to it.

Wear decent clothes, take something to read, listen and let us know what happens.

Just be honest and your intelligence will be obvious. Attorneys like dumb (persuadable, malleable) jurors. It's an insult to be actually chosen to serve on a jury.

Most of us get called to be on a jury panel. Fewer than half of us actually serve on the jury.

:dem:

-Laelth

My term has been 5/8/09 thru 11/6/09.

I had to report one day in August but that was the only time so far. There were around 30 of us potential jurors. The selection process took several hours. I was lucky enough to not be selected and got to go home as soon as the selection was over. Those who were selected were to expect a stay of 1 or 2 nights but that probably depends on the nature of the case. Parking was free. I later received a check for mileage. I thought it was pretty interesting to observe.

here, we're on duty for 2 or 3 months, but only once a week & we're given a phone number to call to see if our number is up. The message will say something like "If your juror number is between 50-175, please report on xxxx. If your number is higher than 175, please call back next week."

No biggie.

dg

Thanks for the info!

or one of those guys, try not to say "GUILTY" before you've heard the evidence.

:rofl:

got me relieved from serving on any jury. Some cases I knew the lawyers, the judge, or the plaintiff. If I had a visceral reaction to the defendant, I told the judge. I learned that if you want to serve on a jury, it's best not to be honest about your feelings.

I showed up every day, and every day I got sent home.

duty for 3 months. He would have to show up in the morning and some times they didn't pick him and he could go on about his business. He sat on one jury. He hated doing it.

Rules etc. should be explained. Does it say Grand Jury, Petit, or any such thing? And its for NEXT YEAR November until April 2011? Real planning, I'd say!

I have to report on the 10th of next month. It's a 45 minute drive from home. I don't mind doing it at all, I just hope I can get my schooling and this to not interfere too much with one another.