WWTBAM Bored

Today's mail brought me a summons for Federal Jury Duty. Enclosed is a 10 page questionnaire wanting to know everything about me from what church I attend to whether I need to smoke a cigarette more than every 2 hours.

So a question like have you or any member of your family consulted with a lawyer in the last 5 years include stuff like closing on a house or writing a will? What if your son in law is a lawyer? It doesn't ask if a family member is an attorney.

Interesting it asks about what TV shows I watch and my favorite radio station as well as what bumper stickers are on my car. (never had a bumper sticker & prolly never will). Lots of other stuff, but those are some highlights.
Guess I'd better get busy.

Wow. Is this for a grand jury? Do you have to report in your hometown or go to your state capital? Last year both my husband and I were "randomly" picked the same day to report for jury duty. The jury room was only supposed to hold 300 people and they called over 500. I had to sit on the floor all week. They only had one bathroom for all of us. This is the same courthouse that Drew Petersen will be visiting once he is indicted.

I have always wanted to serve but never been called. Roomie gets called often, but gets out of it because he is past a certain age.

Fortunately, it is here in town. I would think the Grand Jury would meet in Montgomery, but who knows? I had jury duty a couple of years ago on the local level and was on 2 different juries, one of which to this day I describe as the "jury from hell".

The attorneys distinctly ask you before they seat you on the jury if you are willing to convict on circumstantial evidence, otherwise, you won't be selected. We had one member who absolutely refused to go along with the other 11, because the evidence was circumstantial. I lost 2 nights sleep over that trial.

I also thought it was interesting that they had it in two different places about proper attire for the courtroom. So sad many people today don't know how to dress appropriately.

A good friend of mine was picked for a jury for a murder trial in Cook County. They need jurors so badly that the only question they asked her was where did she live and do you have transportation.

The courthouse was undergoing construction so everyday she had to walk thru a room that housed the defendant and was only a few feet away from him as she walked into the court. The guy was convicted and given only a 20 year sentence. She hopes he never remembers what she looked like.

I just got a jury duty notice myself the other day. Just the standard kind, though, not Federal. I only had to do a quick questionnaire about whether I was deceased (um....no, not yet!), and had ever been convicted of a felony (again, no, not yet!). I even did it online, which was a nice thing.

I've been summoned many times, but only came close to serving once; the prosecution liked me, the defense did not. All the other times my panel was never even called. In Massachusetts, everyone has to show up unless they have a health waiver (before this was made law, they were getting too many juries devoid of people who thought they were too important to serve). Nevertheless, people who really want to get out of their civic duty have many outs; they can claim they believe everything a police officer says. They can claim they never believe anything a police officer says. They can claim they know the defendant, even though they don't. They can claim they have been following the case avidly, even though they haven't been.

At least that was the case the only time I came close to being on a jury. However I recently met someone who says their judge pretty much said
"if you're breathing, you're eligible to be on this jury". Depends on the judge, I guess.

I sure think Kay's co-juror could have used a pre-trial definition of the term "circumstantial". Maybe, in addition to all the above questions, a vocabulary test should have been applied?

Just be certain the judge knows you have a date with the Governor of the Great State of Oklahoma -- and three or four other, equally hotshot folks -- later this month. Annie would be more than happy to write you a note that you can show to him/her.

hermillion wrote:Just be certain the judge knows you have a date with the Governor of the Great State of Oklahoma -- and three or four other, equally hotshot folks -- later this month. Annie would be more than happy to write you a note that you can show to him/her.

Dear Mr. Your Honor:

Please excuse Miss Kay from any kind of jury duty that would mess up her trip to Oklahoma. This is me, Annie Camaro. I am a 10-year-old girl who is recovering from life-threatening injuries, and I've been holding on -- [Camille] cough, cough [/Camille] -- because Miss Kay has promised to come to my bedside and play wonderful music for me to lift my spirits. Of course, this is my raison d'etre, or as the french fries say, my raisin for beans. Such compassion as is shown by Miss Kay cannot -- indeed, must not -- be squelched by the search for federal justice-justifying for some lawyered-up dude in a new suit who claims he doesn't have to pay income tax or really, really needs an unregistered collection of fully automatic assault rifles. I am certain that a jury of fine citizens that does not include Miss Kay can find that guy guilty or not, even without her high-minded leaderships and astute analytical skills. Trust me on this.

Also, it is important that she see her friend, Mr. Governor Brad. She only gets to see him once a year at the same time in the same place, and if that's starting to sound like the plot for an old Alan Alda/Ellen Burstyn movie, that's nobody's fault and, hey, it was a very nice movie, after all.

Thank you for your consideration for my fervent request. Because of your kindness, it was worth the pain and anguish that it has taken me to type this.

Love, snuggles and wet kisses,
Annie Brownhound Camaro

/:P\

Oh, Annie -- this is a most very excellent note that you have offered on behalf of our friend Kay. I am certain that the heart of the judge in question will be moved to excuse her from whatever obligations to which she might otherwise be obliged in order for her to fly to your side.

I am also looking forward to seeing you in two weeks. herjosie will not be able to make this particular trip with me, but assures me that she is anxious to meet you in person. She thinks she is a much taller doggie than she really is, so please don't be surprised at her lack of altitude when you actually see her.

hermillion wrote: herjosie will not be able to make this particular trip with me, but assures me that she is anxious to meet you in person. She thinks she is a much taller doggie than she really is, so please don't be surprised at her lack of altitude when you actually see her.

I will not be surprised, as she is a dancer, and many dancers are petite.
I am not the sort of girl who would make "short" jokes or such. I simply will tell her that I admire her posture, as I have noticed that the combination of good posture and good attitude can help someone fill a room far more prominently than their actual inches might indicate.

I will look forward to meeting Josie whenever it works out.

/:P\

Annie, I'm speechless and touched. Really, that was such a nice letter.
Not to worry though, as the jury duty doesn't start until March 10, so we are safe.

This year you will be learning some of Handel's Messiah. Not the whole thing, just selected pieces and the soprano part.

See you in two weeks!


Kay

AnnieCamaro wrote:
I will look forward to meeting Josie whenever it works out.

/:P\

Herjosie was pleased to meet a young gentleman Whippet at PetSmart last weekend. He was in the company of his two-footer, who had adopted him after he was rescued from life chained inside a barn. The two of them were seated just inside the door of PS, in order that the pup could meet both four- and two-footers who were inclined to stop and visit for a moment. As you might inmagine, he is still working through many issues brought about by his previous life.

Interestingly, the young gentleman Whippet has coloring very much like your own. He took a treat from my hand, and sweetly sniffed at my face (I had just eaten a mini-Hershey bar, which might explain the interest!). When Josie met him, she stood on tippy-toe in order to touch noses. She seemed to recognize that this was not a doggie with whom she should romp -- that he needed to be treated sweetly and gently. I am always amazed at the instincts of our four-footed companions.

I would love to be on said jury.

I want to know what they are doing that they want to know all that stuff.

I adore Annie.

that is all

Kay, Have you checked to see if you can fill out the form online? It might be less of a hassle that way.

There was no option to fill out online, and believe me I checked everywhere.

It took me a while. They wanted all my siblings names, ages, occupations and current place of residence (there are 5 of us), same with my children.

I mentioned they wanted to know what television shows I watch regularly.
I watch very little network TV. I did put Jeopardy, I left out DoND, BAM and One vs 100. However, I do watch Law and Order and CSI. Wonder what they'll think about that?

Form is in the mail.

kayrharris wrote: However, I do watch Law and Order and CSI. Wonder what they'll think about that?

I've read that prosecutors hate that these shows make us think every case will have great forensic science behind it. Most jurisdictions can't afford the kind of expensive, timely tests they run on TV shows.

kayrharris wrote:There was no option to fill out online, and believe me I checked everywhere.

You must be in the Southern District of Alabama. The Northern and Middle Districts both have an online option. Complain if you get a chance

I served Jury duty three times while living in NYC but was never picked for a jury. I also deferred twice due to pregnancy/infants. They are desperate for jurors in NY. Hubby was also called three times while we lived there. My girlfriend and I were called the same day and served together! We got lunches together and time in the waiting room. I also served jury duty with Caroline Kennedy. She sat right in front of me in the waiting room the first day. She was very nice.

kayrharris wrote:There was no option to fill out online, and believe me I checked everywhere.

It took me a while. They wanted all my siblings names, ages, occupations and current place of residence (there are 5 of us), same with my children.

I mentioned they wanted to know what television shows I watch regularly.
I watch very little network TV. I did put Jeopardy, I left out DoND, BAM and One vs 100. However, I do watch Law and Order and CSI. Wonder what they'll think about that?

Form is in the mail.

It seems like an invasion of privacy.

I very much enjoyed being on a jury.

I was sure I would be dismissed when I told them that my ex had been convicted of a crime.

For some reason, neither side used one of those thingies to get rid of me.