When you are being summoned for jury duty, and was told to show up at 8:15 AM; you would be there even before that to make sure you are on time. At least that was what I did and a few other fellow jurors!
We all went through the check point and got in the room for jurors, not knowing what the process would be. An hour went by, still people reported in for duty, and then two hours went by, still other ones showed up. This process went on for at least three hours for the first batch of jurors.
I got picked to go to the court room with 44 fellow jurors. Out of 45 people in the court room, 14 was picked to be panelists and went through individual interview by the judge, the prosecutor, and the defend lawyers.
Now, here comes the funny part: 6 panelists out of the selected 14, didn't speak English! Of course, the judge and the lawyers had to dismiss them.
To make things more challenging, the fire alarm went off, and we were told to get out of the building. Once out in the hallway, this person said that way was blocked, and sent us to another way. I mean if there is real fire, we would be toasted! So much confusing going on and for new people like me, we had no idea of the drills!
Once out of the building, the jurors were gathered together and led to a safe place at least six blocks away from the building. Just as soon as we all got there, we were told to report back to the court room, and I was dismissed shortly after.
I was relief and thought that I was done for the day! Wrong! After I reported to the clerk and handed in my JUROR badge, he firmly told me that another judge might need me, and I must stay. I was in total confusion now. The conversation went something like this:
-But... I was dismissed by judge "such and such" for physical limitations
-Only from that court, that judge. The clerk said
-He said he sent down a note to you
-Just from that judge "such and such", he replies. There are other judges and courts.
Looking around the jurors' room, the other dismissed panelists and 6 non English speakers were still there! I finally learned the meaning of the word "dismissed" for jury duty!
You are dismissed in one court by one judge, but you're not dismissed for the day until the clerk gave you a letter saying your job is done and you don't have to report back the next day!
Learned!!
Text and Photo @IcyBC All Rights Reserved!
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Hello beautiful, what a most interesting story, happy Thursday
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Thank you sweetie!
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xoxo
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Had to laugh at your story, though I know it was not funny at the time, Icy! When I was in my 20s I looked forward to jury duty. It was a chance to serve my city, get a day or two away from work and meet new people. The last time I was called to duty it was going for a murder trial and I was given a lengthy screener application to complete. The courts wanted to know if I was able to be in another city (the state capital), sequestered in a hotel and away from my family during the course of the trial. No! I usually I get disqualified because I used to work for law enforcement, but as you said just because you're dismissed from one court doesn't mean the others won't want you. Bet you're glad that's over with! @icybc
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There were no screening going on at all, @ninahaskin. The questionnaire was very short and had to be done online, or at the court house itself. If you don't drive, they will send you a bus pass. They don't take any excuses or reasons. I saw a young pregnant lady pushing her baby in the stroller in the jurors' room. If you work out of State, you have to flight home for jury duty, no excuses for religious beliefs either. The system has changed!
But you're right, I am so glad it is over for now!
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Please refresh my memory @icybc what state are you from? Guess I should feel a little lucky things are different in Missouri. The screener I was given was only because the trial was well known in my area and the defense wanted it moved to another jurisdiction. Children are not allowed in the court rooms here - the pregnant lady with the little one in the stroller would have gotten reprimanded.
I actually wouldn't mind being on a jury in the future now that my son is older. I'd like to help make a difference.
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I am in Michigan! I used to get letter saying that I was chosen to be the juror, and I called in to get excuse because of my physical limitations. They wouldn't let me off this time, and while sitting in the juror's room, I heard so many more pleads from people, but they let none goes! I mean, people who don't speak English or understand English, they won't let go either. So I wonder how would this help in the court room? It was just a waste of time for everyone.
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That is simply ridiculous how things work! In my state you can get a doctor's note faxed to the court house for excusal from jury duty. Still a big hassle!
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I thought we all have to report to the court house and they will interview each of us and let go of the ones who are not qualified. For example: jurors that have criminal/felony records, non-English speakers, disabled people, sick people, people with babies, etc..None of this criteria was screened before sending the jurors into the courtroom.
From my point of view, there is a lot of waste time, insufficient, and such wasteful resources. This system needs new financial adviser, organizer, and tighten everything up to a tee..LOL..I wasn't happy being drafted and killed myself physically in the process. My ankle is still in pain and swollen from 8 plights of stairs that I had to do when the fire alarm went off :-(
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That's definitely is an incredible waste of time the way jurty duty is being "handled" in your state. Can you even imagine how ridiculous it is during the winter when there's snow on the ground and everyone is summoned to come in?! We have screener questions that are completed beforehand and mailed back to the courthouse.
I'm sorry about your ankle. Have you iced and elevated it, hopefully? Sonce you didn't get paid for your time and troubles as a juror, here's a little tip! to help ease the pain! @icybc💰💱
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Thank you @ninahaskin, you didn't have to do this..
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Hi @icybc! @ninahaskin is sending you 0.1 SBD tip and @tipU upvote
:)
@tipU - send tips by writing tip! in the comment, get share of the profit :)Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
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Thank you!
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Uh oh! I find that very challenging for you then, Icy!
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It was quite challenging, and the worst part was that more than 100 of us wasted the day, and spent our money feeding the parking meters for nothing. I don't mind doing my civic duty, but it has to be somewhat orderly and organized.
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