What can I expect when I show up for Jury Dooty tomorrow?

[Cornholio]

Obviously, NSR.

Should I bring some work to do or something? How's this work? What are the odds I'll actually have to sit for a trial?

[bklyn]

Expect a face to face with bureaucracy in inaction.
If you are in NY - expect a day or 2 wasted before you find out you're not needed.

Bring a book.

[Viva]

The only time that I ever served was in San Diego. I was called in on the first day and, by day two, I was selected for a trial. The whole thing lasted maybe 6 or seven days. It was a drug possession/transportation trial- a pretty cool experience.

Hint: if you don't want to get selected, act really biased when they question you. Say stuff like "Well, look at him, he's obviously guilty."

[Cornholio]

Hint: if you don't want to get selected, act really biased when they question you. Say stuff like "Well, look at him, he's obviously guilty."

I really don't want to sit for this. But I have this social conscience thing that's forcing me to. If I get there and it looks interminable, I'll break out something like that.

Although, I do have some books to read....

[wintermittent]

I was called for Cuyahoga County a couple years ago. Assuming that's where you're headed, it wasn't bad. Park at the Galleria (9th and Lakeside) or take the bus. Definitely bring something to do/read; get there early if you want a cubbyhole/desk to spread out on. Otherwise, you're stuck in uncomfortable chairs.

I was interviewed for two juries and didn't make either. Sent home after day three.

Got a call for Federal Distric Court last year. Jury date was posponed three times, never had to go in.

[Cornholio]

Sent home after day three

And... you know... between those days too, right?

edit: Cleveland Municipal court.

[Viva]

I really don't want to sit for this. But I have this social conscience thing that's forcing me to. If I get there and it looks interminable, I'll break out something like that.

Break out with some good ol' religious fundamentalism while you're at it. "He was doing the work of the Devil!" "All Sinners will rot in Hell!"

[lemon boy]

Unless you really have a good reason to try to get out of it, I think that everyone should do everything they possibly can to participate once called up. Being on a jury is to afford others one of their most basic and precious rights of all.

Just hope you don't get picked for a jury that is a perversion of the process and a media spectacle.

[lemon boy]

oh and rent 12 Angry Men beforehand, great flick

[wintermittent]

And... you know... between those days too, right?

You won't need a blankie and a pillow. Most days, if you're not called for a jury selection, you'll be sent home mid-afternoon.

Unless you land on some high profile case with a sequestered jury, everything'll be fine there, John Grisham.

[Cornholio]

My knowledge of the logistics of our legal system is pretty much limited to the occasional remittance of parking tickets, and, yes, Grisham novels. One time, I also watched Law and Order.

LB: I'll do it, but I reserve the right to remain grumpy about the system itself.

[wintermittent]

One time, I also watched Law and Order.

You should definitely make that cool [Law and Order sound effect] duhn duhn! [/LaOsfx] in the courtroom.

[freshie247]

Let the Freakshow begin!

[Tippster]

What to expect:

Lawyers who play this like a chess match (interesting to see.)
Judge who gets cranky when you come up with a good excuse not to serve.
Room full of people who don't want to be there.

I'm both the "wrong" sex and color for most of the preferred juries here, so even if I wanted to sit on one hey usually recuse me right off the bat. (The being a journalist thing helps too.)

Man, I can't believe this is your first time. Here in DC we get called every 2 years, but it's only for a day (unless you get picked.) Grand Jury is for a Week, but I've never had to come to one of those.

[yogachik]

I seem to get called every 13 months. Here's what to expect:

EVERYBODY there can't afford to be there. Everybody wants out. But then, when you're pooled, this sense of responsibility takes over and you want in. And everybody's vibe changes - we all have different perspectives that we want to lend. One trial was a cross-dressing hooker entrapped by Hollywood vice - and as we were in vois dire it was interesting to learn that even the prim looking older woman believed that that the police should have more important things to do (the case was dropped, they couldn't find a jury). Another was a malpractice suit against UCLA where the wife was suing for all the money her husband might have made in his life, had he not died of that aneurism in the ER. And that one was interesting because of I learned that a huge majority of my neighbors hate doctors, or think they should be perfect, and blame them for some family member's death. That was a shock.

Although I lose money each day I sit in the pool (the last time took 4 days, with a pool of 75, to find 14 jurors -- and I was one of the last ones called), I always end up putting myself in the plaintiff or defendant's seat. I would want a jury of my peers, not just those who weren't crafty enough to figure out a way out or only those who's job pays them to be there. I really would want an entrepeneur, a writer, a store owner, a dentist on my jury -- not just paper pushers, the elderly or the unemployed.

Thankfully CA is a one day/one trial state, so if you're not pooled on day one, you're done. Bring a book, a newspaper, a laptop.