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OT - grand jury duty

Jcksjj's picture

Submitted by Jcksjj on Thu, 04/04/2019 - 8:17am

Has anyone on here had to serve on a grand jury? Any time I've had to do regular jury duty its ended up getting cancelled, but it looks like that's less likely for a grand jury. Basically I'm wondering how long I'm going to be stuck there, all the notice says is that it could possibly be into the evening hours. Which is super inconvenient on that particular day.

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tog redux's picture

Submitted by tog redux on Thu, 04/04/2019 - 8:49am

I haven't, but I know someone who did it recently, and she was assigned 2-3 days a week for a 6 week period, or something like that.  I don't think they "choose" you, like on a regular jury, you are just in unless you have some hardship.  Can you plead hardship, such as, your job won't pay you?

Jcksjj's picture

Submitted by Jcksjj on Thu, 04/04/2019 - 8:59am

I'm a SAHM. I tried to for lack of childcare, they said they can't dismiss me yet and to call back next week. So basically I'm waiting to see if that will be approved or not next week. My husband will have to every time in the middle of the day to pick up my older son from school since theres no transportation to a daycare when hes not enrolled in a regular one and my 1 year old will have to get brought to a drop in daycare all day ..the only one of which takes kids his age is currently being investigated for violations so I'm not thrilled about that idea. 

twoviewpoints's picture

Submitted by twoviewpoints on Thu, 04/04/2019 - 10:14am

Actually, if not for routine every day life (kids and someone being around for them), I thought the grand jury thing would have been kind of interesting. 

I suppose each state has their own way of doing it,but in my state and county the term is 3 months. Service day was one day a week on the same day. They called in far more than needed and we first listened to the ins and outs of what would be involved. Then they asked for upfront volunteers who would actually like and perhaps enjoy the experience of civic 'duty'. 

Much to my delight lots of people raised their hands.Those people were escorted to step two.  After assured enough volunteers were indeed selected to actually serve, after a hour and a half or so the guy came back in and said the rest of us were dismissed, thanked us, we filled out travel expense form with one day 'jury duty' pay and we were done. 

The rest of us happy danced all the way back to our vehicles. I was very surprised so many actually raised their hands and were seemingly excited to do it. Yay for them and yay for me, lol. 

 

Jcksjj's picture

Submitted by Jcksjj on Thu, 04/04/2019 - 10:32am

I actually agree, especially since I have a background as a paralegal (I never worked in criminal law though) and kind of miss it. Its really just the issue with transportation for ODS after school and the fact that my barely one year old has never been in daycare and a drop in for an entire day is nerve wracking. Other than that it would be an interesting change of pace and they do pay at least a little bit.

still learning's picture

Submitted by still learning on Thu, 04/04/2019 - 10:32am

I was summoned for jury duty once, showed up and then was told I wasn't needed.  I was a little bummed because I actually wanted to do it.   

Thumper's picture

Submitted by Thumper on Thu, 04/04/2019 - 4:05pm

A very dear friend of mine was a Grand Jurist. Stellar background. She is a very good friend.

She kept it from all of us for a very long time. The cases are very VERY serious at least the ones she was on.  She told me she had nightmares and was always looking in her rearview. Reason for that is family members /friends of defendent have long memories.

It was no joking matter at all. 

She finally had to step down because the cases she had were so heinous. She really did give it her all until she could not anymore. Key is knowing when to step down.