So I got a Jury Summons...

Surferflames

Surferflames

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I'm 21, a voter, and I got my first summons for Jury duty. There is apparently no exemption for full time students, so I have to ask...

Has anyone successfully gotten excused for putting full time student under the hardship portion of the excuse? I'm starting two new jobs the week prior, so I doubt they will be too pleased about me missing who knows how many days. Not to mention I have a full course load. I think if things weren't so busy I might enjoy the experience, but it's horrible timing.

So any stories of getting out of it respectfully? Aside from the "i'm a racist" angle people apparently use.
 
[quote name='Surferflames']I'm 21, a voter, and I got my first summons for Jury duty. There is apparently no exemption for full time students, so I have to ask...

Has anyone successfully gotten excused for putting full time student under the hardship portion of the excuse? I'm starting two new jobs the week prior, so I doubt they will be too pleased about me missing who knows how many days. Not to mention I have a full course load. I think if things weren't so busy I might enjoy the experience, but it's horrible timing.

So any stories of getting out of it respectfully? Aside from the "i'm a racist" angle people apparently use.[/quote]

jobs cant hold it against you if you have jury duty...dont know about school though
 
What's the commitment level? It can vary widely.

I was called here in VA and it entailed calling a number every Tuesday for 4 weeks to see if I was needed the next day. I ended up being called in one time and didn't get picked for a case. So 1 day total commitment. The judge of the case I was called back for said nearly every case is done in 1 day there.

OTOH my mom was called for duty in MD (some state level court IIRC) and it was a lot bigger deal.

You could try explaining you are a full time student and working two jobs, but I doubt that's going to get you out.
 
[quote name='Surferflames']

So any stories of getting out of it respectfully? Aside from the "i'm a racist" angle people apparently use.[/quote]


Like you, the last time I received a jury duty summons was also when I was starting a new job. It was during the 1st week I was getting trained. I simply called up the # that comes with the summons and explained to them that I was receiving training at a new job that week and they agreed to defer the jury duty to a later date. I don't think you will have a problem if you are honest about it.
 
I got one of those things a few months ago when I was moving out of my dad's house. I totally spaced it out until I found the letter while unpacking and never did anything with it. Didn't get in any trouble or anything. Maybe try that?
 
I've heard stories: A friend at work was picked to be on a jury and they had a student serving in it. She always arrived late because of "school" and on the 3rd time she arrived late, she was kicked off and her name was reintroduced into the pool as punishment. So just a heads up. This was in CA, BTW.
 
A few weeks ago when I was picking up flowers for my girlfriend, the florist seemed like he was pissed about something. I made some small talk by saying
"Long day huh?" He then replied.... "Its going to be a hell of a long day since I just got summoned for Juried Duty!!"

Something about getting paid 6 bucks an hour..........

He also said they got him threw voter registration. I got my flowers, and said
"Well I am glad I didn't register to vote..." Maybe this is why all these years I have never been called in to Jury duty.

OP I don't think the "I'm a racist" comment will help you.
 
if you can claim you have classes during the time you may be needed i don't think they will force you to miss class for it.
 
I don't think being a full time student will get you out of jury duty. Also, if you simply ignore the summons or "forget" to go in, you could be found to be in contempt of court and could possibly face a fine or jail time!
 
I dont know if they can punish you for going to your classes, but YMMV on what judge you get.

But you have class during the summer? summer school usually ends in july or so. If you are on a semester system then classes have probably started. If your classes havent started yet, just explain to them that you have classes that start XX and if you dont miss any classes you are fine with serving. Be sure to mention that you cant miss class because you have already paid for it, so if you get selected you wont be able to be on the jury at the times when you have class.

THe suggestion the other perseon had was a good one, ask to be deferred to a later date when you dont have class.

I am registered as a member of the peace and freedom party(thinly veiled as the american socialist party), maybe that is why i never get the notice. I mostly registered with that party because i didnt want to get mail from democrats or republicans, or getting calls to remind me to vote etc.

Doing your civic duty is nothing to shirk at, and like a few people said, most of the time you only have to serve a very short time.
 
I got out for being a full time student in Ohio...I just called in and asked about it, and they told me to go ahead and write down I was a student and not worry about it after that.. I guess it depends on what state you are in.
 
Thanks guys. There's an online exclusion thing set up, of course the site is currently down. I don't have class on the day of, but I know I'll work. 15 dollars a day isn't going to cut it if the thing goes more than one day. Broke enough as it is.
 
[quote name='Surferflames']Thanks guys. There's an online exclusion thing set up, of course the site is currently down. I don't have class on the day of, but I know I'll work. 15 dollars a day isn't going to cut it if the thing goes more than one day. Broke enough as it is.[/QUOTE]

I got called into do it and i wasn't picked so that was it ... i think you are making a big deal out of it.. and you get 17 bucks just for showing up.. jobs and schools are supposed to excuse you for the time if you they don't they can get in trouble.. but in all honestly you probably won't get picked and you just leave after 2 hours..

its really no big thing, and its interesting, at least to someone like me who never gets in trouble, to see what its like.. i had a vague feeling that i knew the defending attorney or i wasn't a drug dealer.. anyways.. its not a big deal and you're making way too much out of it..
 
My one friend got out of it by going into jury selection. They were talking, and asking questions. They asked him something and he said. "I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention." They excused him after that. Easiest way to get out IMO.
 
[quote name='Scrubsy']Say your racist. A buddy told me to do it and it got me out scott free.[/quote]
You know, I can't imagine saying that would help.

If I were a judge, I'd sure be pretty darned mad if someone said that, since they're obviously trying to get out of the jury.

BTW, I don't think it would work. As far as I know, nobody considers themselves to be racist, someone who's a racist would just think it's perfectly acceptable to be so prejudiced.

I mean, I doubt anyone in the KKK really ever said, "Yeah, I'm a racist."

That's the kind of thing that other people determine you are (correctly so in the case of the KKK, maybe or maybe not in the case of other individuals), not something you declare yourself as.

Even if you really were racist, you wouldn't see it as a reason not to be worthy of inclusion in a jury. Heck, depending on just how warped you are, you might see it as an advantage.

So, um, in short, don't say you're a racist. I don't often give advice without at least a bit of hesitation due to the fear of being incorrect and accidentally giving bad advice. This time, I'm pretty darn sure saying that you're a racist is a bad idea.

EDIT; Let me slightly rephrase that. I'm pretty darn sure it would get you out of jury duty; how the heck do you accept someone as a jury member after they say something like that? I just think it's a supremely bad idea. And I think there's a possibility that the judge can have you arrested for contempt of court if you say that and make him angry enough.
 
I got to say no in CT because I moved, which is true. They had me appear in Court only twenty minutes away from me. Haven't heard back since, but I live right next to my New Britain court house wahahaha.

Work has to pay for Jury Dutie by law. Too bad your a student.
 
[quote name='Killer Rabbit']You know, I can't imagine saying that would help.

If I were a judge, I'd sure be pretty darned mad if someone said that, since they're obviously trying to get out of the jury.

BTW, I don't think it would work. As far as I know, nobody considers themselves to be racist, someone who's a racist would just think it's perfectly acceptable to be so prejudiced.

I mean, I doubt anyone in the KKK really ever said, "Yeah, I'm a racist."

That's the kind of thing that other people determine you are (correctly so in the case of the KKK, maybe or maybe not in the case of other individuals), not something you declare yourself as.

Even if you really were racist, you wouldn't see it as a reason not to be worthy of inclusion in a jury. Heck, depending on just how warped you are, you might see it as an advantage.

So, um, in short, don't say you're a racist. I don't often give advice without at least a bit of hesitation due to the fear of being incorrect and accidentally giving bad advice. This time, I'm pretty darn sure saying that you're a racist is a bad idea.[/QUOTE]

I've done it.

It works.

Also told them I think cops are pigs and all that jazz, that got me off as well.
 
[quote name='zewone']I've done it.

It works.

Also told them I think cops are pigs and all that jazz, that got me off as well.[/quote]

I made an addendum to my post to reflect my thoughts that: "Yes, it'll probably work, but I still think it's a stupid, snotty, disrespectful thing to do."

And I really don't think it's a good idea to screw with the cops like that. Putting aside things like respect for public servants, do you really want to jack around with people who can give you tickets?
 
I wasn't in my car at the time. I wasn't worried about a ticket, I just didn't want to miss any work.

I do agree that is a disrespectful thing to do, but no one there had earned my respect at the time.
 
That is some of the stupidest reasoning I have ever heard..."No one there had earned my respect at the time". I'm just going to leave it alone and let it be known you are a waste of air.
 
[quote name='cdietschrun']That is some of the stupidest reasoning I have ever heard..."No one there had earned my respect at the time". I'm just going to leave it alone and let it be known you are a waste of air.[/QUOTE]
Then you shouldn't have posted.
 
I've picked a jury but never sat on one. Before we ask a single question orally, the jurors are given a sheet of paper with several questions already on it such as name, job, spouse's job, prior convictions, etc. One of those questions is if you have any conflict with the potential trial date. Simply be upfront about it and let the lawyers and judge know that you are a full time student. Unless the attorneys are absolutely in love with you as a juror they'll usually let you off the panel (at least I would). Unfortunately, that doesn't mean you're off the hook for the day. You'll probably have to re-enter the juror pool for the day and sit through several jury selections until they have all their juries picked. I don't really want to encourage you getting yourself disqualified from the panel because it can be an interesting and rewarding experience, not to mention it's your civic duty ;).
 
[quote name='gofishn'] I don't really want to encourage you getting yourself disqualified from the panel because it can be an interesting and rewarding experience, not to mention it's your civic duty ;).[/quote]

Hey, if you've ever seen 12 Angry Men, then you know how pontentially but not at all probably exciting the experience can be!

But even without the unlikely drama, it will definitely be educational and hopefully interesting.

Also, you might want to ask your school/college if you can get extra credit for attending if you can reschedule it to a day that works--you will be a lot more likely to score credit if you're talking about a high school rather than a college, though.

And also, you do know that the court is obligated to allow you to reschedule the court date at least two or three times. You might want to ask for one or two reschedules and see if one of them happens to fall on a day off.
 
IMO Zewone is full of crap.

Not only is it wrong but you are taking a risk that the judge will fine you and hold you in direct contempt of court, which will probbaly happen to anyone who just does not respond to their jury summons at all. I know because I work for a court in PA. I play a large part in the jury selection process here with regard to handing out numbers and collecting questionairs.

Jury duty is a privilege and an obligation that a citizen in America should take seriously. Democracy and the right to be judged by a jury of your peers is a wonderful form of privilege of a free society that many people have died getting and many others are still trying to get. Every citizen should fulfill their obligations when it comes to jury duty and be ashamed if you dont and be even more ashamed if you say you're racist to do so. It is an affront to our form of government and a generally despicable thing to do IMO. Especially when courts and judges try VERY hard to accomodate the jurors. If you have a situation where your service will be unduly burdensome, explain it to the court and use those exact words "unduly burdensome". They will have no choice but to let you go if it sounds like a legit reason.

As to the racist response, I have seen judges place these persons back into the jury pool and made them sit in court ALL day when they actually had no chance of being selected (thier token was taken out of the bag that we pick from, but they still had to sit there all day). Trust me when I tell you that this will suck very badly.
 
I had to sit in one jury pool. After about 2 minutes after I said that, me and others (one who also said he was biased against cops) were told we could go home.

I can very much respect that you might not agree with what I did (since it is your job), but it does work as I and it seems Scrubsy have done.

But, I do laugh at the courts try to accomodate you. They keep you there all day and throw you in more pools, how does that help you?
 
[quote name='zewone']But, I do laugh at the courts try to accomodate you. They keep you there all day and throw you in more pools, how does that help you?[/quote]
Let me tell you this:

If you are put on trial for a serious crime, would you want your jury to consist of people who tried to weasel out of it by making up lame excuses, or people who are actually happy to be a part of the justice system?

[No offense to the OP, being a student and having two jobs is not a lame excuse at all.]
 
[quote name='Killer Rabbit']Let me tell you this:

If you are put on trial for a serious crime, would you want your jury to consist of people who tried to weasel out of it by making up lame excuses, or people who are actually happy to be a part of the justice system?[/QUOTE]
Exactly, so you and the general population should be thankful I'm not trying to be a juror.

And to note, I'm a full time student and work a full time job.
 
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I can probably get away with being an Antitheist, which wouldn't be a lie. I know employers can't punish you for missing work over it, however it's more of an inconvenience on my part. I'm part of the opening team for a company new to the area, so the first few weeks are vital. We'll see how my exclusion request goes, and if I still end up having to go I'll report back for anyone who cares.

On a side note it's amazing how far jury waiting areas have come. They are filled with computers, games, etc.
 
Since I'm sure most states' jury rules are different, I would call in, explain the situation, and if necessary, defer it. I know in CT they let you defer your duty for six months.

In any case, I was selected for jury duty late last spring (mind you, I'm not a registered voter - there are other ways the state finds you), and I went since I had the day off anyway. It was just pretty boring and I never got called in since they receieved all the jurors they needed before getting to me. Bring and Ipod or book or something and you should be fine.

As for all the "tell them you're a racist" stuff, while that might work, you should tread softly. Depending on the judge and your demeanor, you might end up like this guy: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/07/11/prospective_juror_incurs_wrath_of_cape_judge/
 
Can't you just change the date?

I changed mine from November to June or July because November is midterms.

But they I got a leter saying I wasn't needed.
 
Just hope you don't get a trial like my father just had to serve on. A 34 year old guy acused of raping 2 9 year olds, and a dog (yes he fucked a dog too).
 
Couple years back I was picked to be on a jury for a double murder. When the lawyers started asking questions about how we felt about serving I told them I would be worrying about all the money I would be losing since I am self employed. Bingo! I was excused 15 minutes later.
 
A few years ago just after my 18th bday I got summoned. They told the room I was in that if you were a student that you can be excussed from it until the summer when school is out. I went up told them I was a student and they just scheduled me for a later date. This is in CA by the way, not sure if it workd differenly in other states.
 
[quote name='pittpizza']IMO Zewone is full of crap.

Not only is it wrong but you are taking a risk that the judge will fine you and hold you in direct contempt of court, which will probbaly happen to anyone who just does not respond to their jury summons at all. I know because I work for a court in PA. I play a large part in the jury selection process here with regard to handing out numbers and collecting questionairs.

Jury duty is a privilege and an obligation that a citizen in America should take seriously. Democracy and the right to be judged by a jury of your peers is a wonderful form of privilege of a free society that many people have died getting and many others are still trying to get. Every citizen should fulfill their obligations when it comes to jury duty and be ashamed if you dont and be even more ashamed if you say you're racist to do so. It is an affront to our form of government and a generally despicable thing to do IMO. Especially when courts and judges try VERY hard to accomodate the jurors. If you have a situation where your service will be unduly burdensome, explain it to the court and use those exact words "unduly burdensome". They will have no choice but to let you go if it sounds like a legit reason.

As to the racist response, I have seen judges place these persons back into the jury pool and made them sit in court ALL day when they actually had no chance of being selected (thier token was taken out of the bag that we pick from, but they still had to sit there all day). Trust me when I tell you that this will suck very badly.[/quote]
You give people to much credit.Most of us are idiots.
 
[quote name='pittpizza']Jury duty is a privilege and an obligation that a citizen in America should take seriously. Democracy and the right to be judged by a jury of your peers is a wonderful form of privilege of a free society that many people have died getting and many others are still trying to get. [/quote]

You will never be judged by your "peers" as that is not how jurys are selected. Jurors are from all different classes, educational backgrounds, professions, etc.

I do not see having to take a day off for jury duty and the $12 a privilege. If I choose to not get paid for the missed day (assuming I didn't get picked) I would be out a lot of money for this "privilege" and would not be happy to have to pay for this privilege. It is an inconvenience for most of us who do not earn wages from the legal system.
 
[quote name='kell']You will never be judged by your "peers" as that is not how jurys are selected.
[/quote]

"All men are created equal..."
 
Just move the arguement to guilty ASAP, and always vote on the majority to go home early. Does it really matter if he gets 2 life sentences or gets away scott free?
 
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