So I Had Jury Duty a Couple of Weeks Ago

[Bill]

I guess the Statute of Limitations has run out, so I feel free to share the experience with you fine folks.....and you VB regulars as well.

The "cattle call" happens at 8:15......AM. OK, fine, I'm happy to do my civic duty. The unlucky get called out to form jury panels.....that all meet after lunch, stagger starting on the quarter hour, after Noon. So hundred of people wasted their entire morning, when they wouldn't even be needed until after lunch. Sweet.

Our group of 24 was designated to meet at 1:30. So we meet and find out that our defendant is charged with making a terroristic threat. Then we have the voir dire. There is a general discussion about terroristic threat. So they ask what we think about it. I say "I've got no problem with it, as long as the recipient of the threat had it coming."

I didn't get picked. Go figure.

[Jeff '79]

[Norm]

That's funny.

My comments are, "if he got this far in the system, he's guilty", I never get picked either.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

I really could have been a fair juror. If they proved the guy threatened someone truly innocent, or threatened to blow up a plane of innocents, I could and would have found him guilty.

If he threatened violence on somebody who deserved to get beat down....well, I would have sent him home, with my apologies for wasting his time.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Norm

That's funny.

My comments are, "if he got this far in the system, he's guilty", I never get picked either.

The thing is, I would have been happy to serve, even though it would have been personally inconvenient. I'd want people who wanted to be there to hear my case if I was ever unlucky enough to find myself within the maw of the justice system.

[78SA]

[Thunder22]

I'm surprised that jury duty calls still work like that. Here in NY and NJ you call the night before and if your number is in the range, you go, if not, you're excused for years.

[Dave]

Got kicked off a jury by the judge once

"Name, rank, serial number"

ok, here ya go...

Judge: "Do you know any information about this case other than what you have heard in court today?"

Yes your honor

Judge gives me a WTF look.
After a couple vague answers, "can you approach the bench please?"

Standing there front & center with the plaintiff attys on one side and defense attys on the other.

Judge, still confused: "What the heck do you know about this obscure case?"

I did some checking after getting called, to see what court it might be in, and found out that it was sent back down to you from the appellate court

Judge: Do you know anyone on the plaintiff's side of this case?

No your honor

Judge: Do you know anyone on the defendant's side of this case?

No your honor

Judge: Do you know anyone in this courtroom?

Only the presiding judge

Judge: And how do you know him?

I grew up down the street from him

Judge: I think you'd do a great job on the jury, but given the circumstances, I don't think I can keep you here. Tell your mom & dad I said hi. You're dismissed.

The attorneys went from confused to trying not to laugh during the entire exchange.

[CertInsaneC5]

Originally Posted by Norm

That's funny.

My comments are, "if he got this far in the system, he's guilty", I never get picked either.

Except in that whole "guns, drugs and money case."

I still for the life of me cannot figure out how I got stuck on that jury.

Two days later. Done, and the dude is gone on three felony counts after being out of the joint for six months for the same dam thing.

[Bill]

I just had jury duty again TODAY. And again, a total waste of time. The cattle call was at 8:15 am, got picked for an 11 am panel, the judge assembles everyone and tells us the case was reset. Gee, thanks for not calling people when they knew that was going to happen. Everyone gave their phone numbers on their jury summons.

[island14]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

I just had jury duty again TODAY. And again, a total waste of time. The cattle call was at 8:15 am, got picked for an 11 am panel, the judge assembles everyone and tells us the case was reset. Gee, thanks for not calling people when they knew that was going to happen. Everyone gave their phone numbers on their jury summons.

Dood I am over here reading this and thanking some of the post till I got down to see TxAg and thought what.. Chris is back?

You bump this old thread and I didn't even notice till then..

I got a notice one time only my whole life.. called my attorney, he laughed, and he called the prosecutor who laffed also..

Did not have to go.

[99 pewtercoupe]

I am almost 60 years old, vote in every election and have NEVER been called for jury duty

[kim]

I never been called but they sent letter that I had to fill out information and I could be called fingers crossed I don't my Co worker went spent entire day there not picked. If he had pity the defendant

[BigJoe]

For some reason I was called every two years like clockwork. My wife has been called once in the past 10 years. But I'm over 70 now and, in TX, that means you can opt out of jury duty forever for any court in TX. Yoo-Hoo, I think I did my duty well enough over the years...
Oh, and BTW I was NEVER placed on a jury on all the times I was called.