Today I got a summons for jury duty

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

and I'm bummed out because I've always wanted to serve on a jury, but now I don't think it's safe to be cooped up inside with a bunch of people for two weeks. They have just started doing only criminal jury trials and they are doing all kinds of social distancing and sanitizing stuff but I just don't want to be there. So when I filled out the online questionnaire I asked to be excused, which is an option for old people. I'm a retired lawyer so I probably would have been kicked off every jury anyhow. But it would have been interesting.

[elleng]

1. It IS interesting, was for me,

NOT a retired attorney, just an attorney (in DC,) working on regulatory matters, and I SERVED on a FEDERAL jury. VERY interesting, in the olden days, no fear of illness.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. I got called for a federal jury some years ago too,

but they do it a little differently in the federal system. Once they'd filled up the jury and alternates for that particular trial - it was a white-collar criminal fraud trial - they let everyone else go. I'd have been booted from that one too because I (slightly) knew one of the lawyers, though I wasn't actively practicing then. In this county they call a bunch of people and call them for one trial after another. If you aren't chosen for a jury that day you're sent back to the pool, possibly to be called again. I've done jury selection so I'm curious about how it works on the other end, but not curious enough to sit in a courthouse conference room with a bunch of possibly buggy strangers.

[lisa58]

2. What state?

I work at a law firm in NJ and courts are just opening up for trials

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. Minnesota (Hennepin County).

Last edited Tue Sep 29, 2020, 07:08 PM - Edit history (1)

They are just starting criminal jury trials. Would have been just my luck to get on the Derek Chauvin (George Floyd murder) trial, though that might not start for awhile.

[MontanaMama]

3. I was called a couple weeks ago and

the trial was vacated the day before I was to go in because the case was being sent to a grand jury. I was really nervous about the safety of being cooped up with so many people so I was relieved and a little disappointed. I seem to be called fairly often and my husband has never been called. The last jury I was on was for an assault on a police officer. I think everyone thought it was a slam dunk and we the jury found for the defendant. No one expected that verdict. The police officer was spitting mad and I was afraid he would find out who we all were and there would be hell to pay. Nothing ever happened, however. Sorry...got off on a tangent.

[Marthe48]

5. I got a postcard saying I was selected for 2021

I have served before and have been picked for the pool several times. But just as you said, I am worried about serving now. Washington Cty. Ohio. Our Covid cases are low, but even so, I am following safety guidelines almost perfectly. Seems like serving on a jury is going to put jurors outside the lines :/

I'm not quite old enough to opt out and I don't think I have underlying conditions. I do have strong opinions
(if you don't get life for playing hookey, you should!)

[at140]

7. I was on a crowded cruise ship in March

and never missed any shows in the packed main theater or the crowded lunch buffets.
Obviously covid-19 had to be present on the ship with 1000 crew from SE Asia mostly and 2900 passengers from all over the world.
Since I never got sick with covid-19 but could easily have tested positive upon disembarking from ship.

[msongs]

8. during my juror screening i told the defense that posession of a gun was intent to use

the defendant was on trial for shooting somebody but only slightly wounding. I got excused right away lol

[LakeArenal]

9. I have been called twice served once.

I thought it was really interesting.
Real estate.

After the trial I looked defendant on CPAC.
He was a scum.

Law clerks kept falling asleep. I’d be pissed if my clerks fell asleep.

[ailsagirl]

10. Can you postpone it? Where I live, you are allowed to

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. In response to my request to be excused they sent me back an email

granting the request and adding that I could be called again (and excused again). Since my concern is about exposure to covid19, I don't know when it would be safe to postpone it to; might be another year. So I'll just wait for them to call me again, if they do.