I reported for jury selection today and was picked as a juror! I have to go to the trial later this week.

I am both nervous and excited!

By Reds9298 on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 08:08 pm:

I served as an alternate juror a few years ago and I loved doing it! EXCEPT, that as an alternate I was not allowed to say anything during deliberations!! That was frustrating, but the whole process was pretty interesting. My case was regarding the sale of crack within x number of feet of a school. He was convicted.
Hope you have a good experience.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 09:06 pm:

The judge will instruct you - and this is very important - that you must not talk about the case with anyone until you are in the jury room making your decisions. Depending on the kind of case, you might also be instructed to not read the papers or watch the news on TV. Whatever you do, don't try to do any research on the case or the law, because if the judge ever found out the jury's verdict might be thrown out. (Of course, after the verdict is in, you can talk all you want about the case.)

I think jury duty is the responsibility of every citizen, and I'm glad you are not trying to get out of it. I've been called 4 times, but only selected for a jury once, and that was a half day trial. But, it was federal court and in federal court, at least in this area, when you are called for jury duty you must show up every day for a week whether you get selected for a jury or not.

I know lots of people who try to get out of jury duty. My question to them is - If, heaven forfend, you or a family member were ever involved in a legal matter calling for a jury, would you want the jury to be made up only of people who weren't smart enough to find a way to get out of it?

By Annie2 on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 10:53 pm:

Ginny, I have been excused in the past because my kids were young but I am so looking forward to this chance of my civic duty.

I am not discussing the case or looking up anything online. I want to be impartial and do my service correctly.

I just hope I don't have a sudden case of diarrhea!

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 09:42 am:

LOL Annie! Ginny- There was an older man on the jury I was part of and I couldn't believe some his remarks during deliberation..."You guys just do whatever you want. I don't care" and "it doesn't matter to me". It was obvious that he didn't pay any attention to the trial, and the judge specifically told us that every person should be involved in the deliberation (except me of course!). I almost told the judge about him because I just didn't think it was right.

By Jodes on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 - 06:44 pm:

I was called for jury duty for the first time about 3 years ago, and I was selected as a juror, much to my surprise! The trial began that day, so I had to make arrangements by phone for my kids for after school, and I was very nervous at first, but it turned out being one of the most interesting experiences of my life! The trial lasted 3 days, and it was very long days, but I think it was worth it. Good luck!