For the third time in my life, I’ve been called to Jury Duty.
The first time was by the State of Colorado to serve on a year long “Grand Jury.” As a political junkie, I was definitely interested in serving. Unfortunately, serving on the jury meant that I couldn’t leave the state for a year—a challenge considering that I was attending the University of Wyoming at the time. I got out of service that time. (But now that I am more worldly, I wonder where they find enough people who are willing to promise they won’t leave the state for a year at a time.)
The second time was by the City and County of Denver. I showed up at the appointed hour on the appointed day, sat in a large room that served as the jury pool and watched a short video starring a number of local celebrities explaining what a juror was and how courts worked (remedial for me, but clearly not for much of the room). Once the video was over, I pulled out a book and started reading. Most of the room did nothing. Not 15 minutes later, my number was called and I gathered my meager belongings, went to the front of the room, was led into the hallway, and once there, was told to go home.
This time, I examined my options with the court. I couldn’t get out due to medical issues, nor am I 65 years of age or older (why do old people get a free pass?!). That left the third option, that I had moved out of the county—which seemed like a reasonable choice, except that picking that option means that my voter registration would be cancelled, which is unacceptable because according to US law, as I recall, I am to vote as if I lived at my residence in Bloomington for the rest of my life, or until I return to the States.
So I called—it seems that the form is out of date—I wasn’t selected because I’m registered to vote, I was selected because I either paid property tax (not me!) or had a drivers license from Monroe County (bingo!). The nice lady removed me from the Jury Duty list, told me to throw away the form, and said I wouldn’t be struck from the voter rolls.
Mission Accomplished.
Maybe next time I get summoned, it will actually be convenient.
I still get summoned for duty in California where they get my name from the DMV records since I have a car registered there. My mother simply calls the courthouse on my behalf and lets them know I’d be pleased to get the daily milage reimbursment for my travels from North Carolina and back. Somehow this gets me out of it. *shrugs*
I was summoned for jury duty in Louisiana … after I had moved to Indiana. After I had cancelled my license and license plates. D’oh!
I’ve never been summoned…ever.
I have never been summoned for jury duty ever…and I’m real old:)(and a property owner)”shrugs”
I have been called twice. The first time I was called was in San Francisco and I was chosen to serve. I went through the 5-day case and then it was over. No big deal. The second time I was called I got out of it. I forgot how or why, but I did…Now that I’m in Germany I don’t believe I will be serving on any juries any time soon…
I think it’d be cool to serve on a jury–a way to participate in the court room in a meaningful way.
However, I suspect that I’m too intelligent for the court room. I actually have opinions and knowledge.
LOL. Too intelligent for a court room? You’re probably right. I’d never be picked for a jury … just tell them I’m a professor and I’d be dumped as a liberal activist based on stereotypes alone.