Mousie

Did you ever get a summons to be a juror and served?
Did you, or do you, feel that you can listen with an open mind?
Can you decide things without personal predjudices?
Or do you openly admit that your personal perspectives creep into the way you look at things, and cannot get past them?
It's a tough job, to be sure, but that is why they take so much time and question the potential jurors so thoroughly.
Do you have what it takes?

BellaBoo

I was on Federal jury duty and regular. Only two times in my life so far. It is nothing like you see in the court room tv shows or movies. Really I was ready to convict most of the fellow jurors on the jury I was on for being so soft hearted toward a mean, nasty, soon knock you in the head to look at you drug addict. Jury chairman is not a scary job, just someone to keep the votes counted and fill out the form to give to the judge. One we had to award a settlement. All 12 of us wrote down what we thought was a fair amount. It was added up and then divided by 12. The answer was the amount we awarded. As far as not having any pre set opinions, you hear the case and it was plain on the trial I had, it didn't matter what I thought, the person did a terrible thing and had to be voted guilty. We had to set the sentence too, that was when the arguing was worse, bleeding hearts wanted the min. the others wanted max. plus.

Mousie

I'm curious, having never been on a federal jury,...so you think these ppl gave all the right answers to the lawyers and prosecutors, so they would be chosen to serve on the jury, and then when they got in the deliberating room, you saw their true colors?
well, ppl do put their best foot forward in public, oftentimes, but where is their conscience? their belief in fair trials?
I hope they didn't do it for the money. :shock:

thimblebug6000

Money ??? Do you get paid for jury duty above & beyond in the US ???

SaraSewing

My jury stories: When I was a stay-at-home mom, I was expecting my 4th baby. She was due in just a few days (and was born at 9lb 12 oz). They excused me from serving based on "appearance". They laughed that they didn't want to pay jury wages for the both of us!

The other time I was on a jury I was in nursing school. It was a drunk driving case. The defence was the guy wasn't "that" drunk. Our jury was quick. We determined that we didn't have to decide what was drunk or not, the state had already determined that. So, according to the law, we went on blood alcohol, plus the destruction to property. I was paid $35/day. It was more than I was making as a student, which was nothing!

SaraSewing

Yes, I believe the the law in most states is that you take your wages of $35 (average) and turn it to your employer, and they have to make up the difference. It's their part in civic duty.

Mousie

there's an ad for free jury selection video at the bottom of the page! I clicked on it, and they wanted your email info and such.
hmmm? I don't think you get something for nothing very often, and probably not on the net.

amma

I have been contacted twice...the first time I had to call in every night for 2 weeks to see if I would be needed...that was a real pain for my employer!!!
The second time I was excused as I was just in a car accident and could not sit long enough to serve.
In my state potential jurors are chosen lottery style using your drivers licenses or state issued ID cards.

Lisanne

Thimblebug6000, jury duty pay is nowhere near even minimum wage for the hours spent there, and many working people then lose the wages they could have made by going to work. Some employers pay full wages for jury duty as a fringe benefit, but most don't.

Quiltncrazy, interesting questions.

I never served on a jury, though I got a summons just as I graduated college. In fact, I'd moved halfway across the country by the time it was forwarded to me. Happily, they didn't require me to go back, though at the time I would have been interested to see what it was like.

I wouldn't want to now. I'd keep an open mind, but I'm too gullible. I know people lie or skew things on the witness stand, and I'd believe everyone. I'd hate to be wrong about someone's guilt or innocence.


I think some people try to be on a jury and others try not to be selected. For someone who will be forced to lose work wages, it's a hardship, so I think lots of people try not to be selected.

Mousie

I think your right, more try to avoid being selected. It is a lot of work.
I for one, don't want to sit in on the 'big' cases...hear the details and such. I don't even watch some shows before bedtime. Too hard to turn it off.