Jury duty

[Kevin]

About a month ago I got a post card in the mail about Jury duty. It was supposed to be next week.

Thank goodness I just got an email that it was canceled. But I would bet money I get another summons before the end of the year.

It was funny because it said “no shorts.” And to wear what you would wear to church.

Only in Texas. “Wear what you would wear to church” Really???

What if I belong to a satanic cult? What if I didn’t go to church? What if I went to a new age church and we wear shorts and flip flops and Hawaiian shirts?

I guess I got upset that the city government used religion as a basis for how to dress.

It was jury duty at the youth/minor court room.

But every year either my wife or I will get a jury summons. So much for being random.

I’ve never done Jury duty before and was kind of looking forward to it. Before with my wife’s travel schedule and our daughter being young I couldn’t.

 

[Jakeintexas]

About a month ago I got a post card in the mail about Jury duty. It was supposed to be next week.

Thank goodness I just got an email that it was canceled. But I would bet money I get another summons before the end of the year.

It was funny because it said “no shorts.” And to wear what you would wear to church.

Only in Texas. “Wear what you would wear to church” Really???

What if I belong to a satanic cult? What if I didn’t go to church? What if I went to a new age church and we wear shorts and flip flops and Hawaiian shirts?

I guess I got upset that the city government used religion as a basis for how to dress.

It was jury duty at the youth/minor court room.

But every year either my wife or I will get a jury summons. So much for being random.

I’ve never done Jury duty before and was kind of looking forward to it. Before with my wife’s travel schedule and our daughter being young I couldn’t.

I would view ‘wear what you wear to church’ in an official notice as a good thing. And grateful that the jurisdiction I’m in would have the stones to send it out.

My standard these days is a collared shirt and atlas tactical pants. And I wear those to my church. Even a Hawaiian shirt sometimes.

 

[xTopGun]

About a month ago I got a post card in the mail about Jury duty. It was supposed to be next week.

Thank goodness I just got an email that it was canceled. But I would bet money I get another summons before the end of the year.

It was funny because it said “no shorts.” And to wear what you would wear to church.

Only in Texas. “Wear what you would wear to church” Really???

What if I belong to a satanic cult? What if I didn’t go to church? What if I went to a new age church and we wear shorts and flip flops and Hawaiian shirts?

I guess I got upset that the city government used religion as a basis for how to dress.

It was jury duty at the youth/minor court room.

But every year either my wife or I will get a jury summons. So much for being random.

I’ve never done Jury duty before and was kind of looking forward to it. Before with my wife’s travel schedule and our daughter being young I couldn’t.

Uhmmm, if I recall correctly the church and state are separate, they can bite me - I throw all those notices in the trash. Not wasting my time on our current useless court system.....

 

[Yaworski]

Uhmmm, if I recall correctly the church and state are separate, they can bite me - I throw all those notices in the trash. Not wasting my time on our current useless court system.....

Cops rarely get past voir dire.

 

[Yaworski]

My standard these days is a collared shirt and atlas tactical pants. And I wear those to my church. Even a Hawaiian shirt sometimes.

I first read that as assless tactical pants. That would be interesting.

 

[Mobuck]

I got a jury summons a month ago. I'll probably get a pass since the courtroom doesn't have closed caption.

 

[xTopGun]

Cops rarely get past voir dire.

exactly - ain't wasting my time on a useless thankless system . . . .

 

[coachk64]

I served on a jury once and frankly, kind of enjoyed it. It was a minor case of an employee suing the local school district for breach of contract. I didn't like the fact that we found the district liable, but the fact was that they had breached the contract. The employee was awarded what was owed but, thankfully, no more than that.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I've been summoned for jury duty twice, but was never picked to serve. It was an educational experience both times. Talk about a cross-section of society. Many of these folks apparently just came from Wal-Mart, if you understand that reference. The particulatly interesting one was the rather scruffy gal whu showed up with a toddler and infant-in-arms and all the "baby trappings" in hand. Both kids squalling. They were excused immediately.

If nothing else, it sure makes me hope to avoid being tried by a jury of my "peers".

 

[xTopGun]

I've been summoned for jury duty twice, but was never picked to serve. It was an educational experience both times. Talk about a cross-section of society. Many of these folks apparently just came from Wal-Mart, if you understand that reference. The particulatly interesting one was the rather scruffy gal whu showed up with a toddler and infat-in-arms and al the "baby trappings" in hand. Both kids squalling. They were excused immediately.

If nothing else, it sure makes me hope to avoid being tried by a jury of my "peers".

A peer is an individual who belongs to the same social, professional, or academic group as you.
Ya, RIGHT ! ! !

 

[375hh1973]

I don't go to church but I do occasionally eat at Church's Chicken so I guess it would be jeans and a T shirt

 

[Armybrat]

I served briefly on a federal jury about 30 years ago.
It was an “age discrimination” case in which a middle age guy was suing Texas State University for passing over him for a promotion.

That first morning the lawyers for both sides gave their opening statements - lots of hot air pontificating - then we all recessed for lunch.
After the lunch hour we returned to the courtroom where a motion was made for the lawyers to have a settlement conference.
So we jurors were marched back into the jurors’ room to hang out.

After a half hour the judge came into the room to bring us up to date…..stating, and I quote: “There’s a lot of bad lawyering going on in there”. Much laughter ensued.
About another half hour later we were called back into the courtroom where the judge informed us that the plaintiff & defendant had come to a settlement and we were dismissed.
Two weeks later I received my $10 check from the court.

 

[Yaworski]

exactly - ain't wasting my time on a useless thankless system . . . .

And being a cop, you don't have to worry about any penalties for ignoring a jury summons.

 

[xTopGun]

And being a cop, you don't have to worry about any penalties for ignoring a jury summons.

uhmmm, those days are long ago..... but I still don't give it any worry

 

[DGW1949]

For you heathens out there..."wear what you'd wear to church" means to dress like you have some self respect, not like a child or hood rat.

DGW

 

[Armybrat]

For you heathens out there..."wear what you'd wear to church" means to dress like you have some self respect, not like a child or hood rat.

DGW

The backwards baseball cap crowd doesn’t know what you are talking about.

 

[ex13F]

My wife gets a summons for jury duty once or twice a year. I got one about 15 years ago but wasn't called. I mentioned it to my doctor at the VA and he said "I'll take care of that". About a week later the courthouse sent me a note saying they had received a letter from the VA and it would be placed on file. I never did find out what he said in that letter but my wife says it probably said I was another Archie Bunker and thought jaywalkers should get the chair. Anyway, I've never received another one since.

 

[Kevin]

And being a cop, you don't have to worry about any penalties for ignoring a jury summons.

Here in Dallas that was in the FAQ’s when I registered online. The question was can I be arrested for missing the jury duty. Answer: “No” they ask that you call the court system and explain your absence. Then you will be rescheduled for a later date.

Apparently the worst that can happen is a $1000 fine.

 

[Johnnu2]

Now that I've I looked up "voir dire", I realized that I've used that process several times to avoid jury duty. I would dress professionally (tie and suit jacket) which would often make me look suspicious at the get go; and, I suspect often help disqualify me. Then I would respectfully answer the lawyers' questions during voir dire in a way that subtly indicated that I would be prejudiced for, or against, the case. One time, I was called into the judge's chambers apparently because someone thought I was purposely avoiding participating in that particular jury. The judge asked me a few pointed questions about my responses during "voir dire". Finally, he simply dismissed me even though he obviously believed I was purposely 'avoiding'. He said that he would be sure that the next summons for jury duty (that I would get) would be for a murder trial. I told him that I liked murder (long pause) trials. NEVER got another summons to appear
p.s. It's much more fun to play with them, than fight them....
J.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I'm hoping for jury duty in retirement. I actually enjoyed court. I enjoyed providing a well built solid case for the Prosecution and was more than happy to testify....in most places that is. Blue controlled places was miserable. You knew going in with the best built case that most likely it was all for nothing. Leftist Judges would make you feel like you were the one on trial.

I officially retire next FRI 29MAY26. Still have some pending cases. If called I will be more than happy to attend. Hey, it means I can get consultant's pay, mileage/rental, nice hotel and nice meal.

 

[Yaworski]

I've gotten numerous summons but have never been selected. In Maryland, the courthouse had a special parking lot for jurors and it was free. In Pittsburgh, I had to pay $20 to park to go for jury duty.

I was called for a state investigating grand jury. I would have loved to have been on that one. I made it through two cuts but lost on the third. I'm pretty sure that it wound up being the grand jury for the Sandusky child molestation case.

 

[sfhogman]

I've been summoned six times. Bounced twice, one plea deal and served three times. I learned something about state and Federal laws every time I served and did not consider it a waste of time.
As far as dress went, I dressed as I would for a business office out of respect for the Court.
Civic duty can be a chore, but it certainly doesn't bother me.
YMMV.

 

[LDB]

Went to my jury duty today. Criminal sexual assault case. Entire panel was excused. People figured out about answering the questions to get rejected and there weren't enough left so everyone rejected. They'll start over with a whole new batch on Tuesday. And if I ever get called again I'll postpone until the Friday before Memorial Day. Or the Wed. before Thanksgiving. Or fourth of July. No traffic!

 

[Watertender]

My regard for the justice system is less than stellar. My doctor wrote me a letter the last time that has seemed to work.
If called again I am going to eat windy food and prime myself for chemical warfare.
I have a feeling that I will be dismissed sooner rather than later because I will fill the courtroom with a fine green cloud!

 

[contender]

I have served,, proudly on jury duty. I look at it as a privilege to be considered qualified to potentially judge the law, and a case against someone.

We are supposed to be judged by a "jury of our peers" and I would hope & pray that if I were ever in a position to be judged,, I'd want educated & willing jurors.

So for those who hate it, or do whatever they can to get out of it, etc,, you may wish for an honest educated jury if you ever get tried.

 

[Jeepnik]

Just got a notice today. I haven't served in almost twenty years. Way back then I had recently had a young friend murdered after pleading with 911 for help. At one point during the questioning I told them that as far as I was concerned the entire legal system from cops to judges were useless as tits on a boar. I was dismissed and hadn't received one until 2020. That one was canceled due to covid. So, now I get a chance to ream the court system for it's uselessness again.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

So for those who hate it, or do whatever they can to get out of it, etc,, you may wish for an honest educated jury if you ever get tried.

The Cop haters and lethargic types will always complain and weasel out of responsibility to give "the man" the finger. They do no wrong in their minds only others do wrong to them......if it came to it they could have the best most sincere balanced and unbiased jury and say it was the jury's fault the were convicted and sentenced.

...waiting for one (a specific one) to reply "there will never be the most sincere balanced and unbiased jury"......

 

[Jeepnik]

Experience has shown ( I have done jury duty many times). That every single person in a court room is going to say exactly what is in their own best interest. That includes the defendants, witnesses, lawyers, judge, court room staff and any potential jurors. Some like the judge, staff, and lawyers don't have to take an oath to tell the truth. Those that do ignore it with the first words out of their mouth.

In fact, defendants and their lawyers are all about telling enough convincing lies to "get the defendant off".

Do you realize that if everyone did actually tell the truth their wouldn't be a need for jurors. Guy get arrested and goes to trial. Cops come in and say he did it and this is the evidence. Witnesses tell what they saw. Now if the defendant does testify, and he tells the truth he say "yep, I did it". Trial over. But truth and any court of law have absolutely no connection at all.

 

[LDB]

I'd go once a month if they'd always call me to the local court 5-6 miles away. I object to having to go downtown to the courts complex 25 miles away and in HORRIBLE traffic. My best half was called recently and it was at the nearby one. But they'll call you to any of them. They could just as easily call me to the "local" court in The Woodlands or Atascocita, either one about 60 miles away. There are plenty of peers within the radius of the nearest court regardless of which it is.

 

[eveled]

I’ve been called many times, and was happy to go. To at least 6 different court houses. I’ve never been picked to serve on a case.

One time I made it into the court room and was eliminated without being asked any questions. It was a drunk driving case and I was the only one on the jury who actually matched the defendants demographics. Another words his only peer, and they eliminated me. Seems wrong.

I have no problem dressing respectfully, but I don’t like being told I have too. In my opinion you can mandate respect.

We own that building we pay their salaries. They have no right to tell me how to dress when they ask me to help them. IMHO.