I've been a registered voter for over 20 years, and have never been called for jury duty. Maybe that's because I'd actually LIKE to do it and wouldn't try to get out of it.

Go figure.

GJ, I am with you - I would love to serve on jury duty, both for the experience and for the sense of civic duty it represents (that differs from paying taxes!). My work pays for attending jury duty as if you are at work, so the loss of wages is not a factor, which is nice. The only problem is I NEVER get asked. My wife and I have been together for nearly twenty years and she has been called probably ten times or more while I never get called - ever. Kind of a bummer!

She again starts jury duty for a week at the end of the month...sigh.

Jeff *waiting his turn for a Sandwich Paradox*

Dismissed. :( Back to my boring life!

I delayed mine for 6 months. I'll be sure to give them your name when I get called back in October.

I was called to Jury Duty two months after I moved to a different state. I had to Contact my old state and tell them I moved. I was so bummed :(

But now I am a police officer and see court all the time...borning!!

I have been called to jury duty NINE times- yes, you heard correctly. Municipal, Common Pleas and Federal Court. Cases I have seen include burglary, income tax evasion, embezzling from a church, harboring a fugitive, and I don't even remember all of them.

The last two times I sent the questionnaire back and wrote something like "Doesn't anybody else live around here? I've done my duty." And I got off. -Rose

I even have her trading card!!

HI Rachel!

GG Dana

I would happily serve for jury duty . . . except I get the most horrible, pounding, throbbing, aching headache every time I do. I think it must be the lighting in the courthouse, but by the time I've been there a couple of hours, I'm miserable! Doesn't seem to matter if I'm in the jury room, or in a courtroom answering lawyers' questions.

Exciting neighborhood you live in, Rosmarinus! I was called twice in Chicago, but wasn't selected. The trials might have been interesting - product liability and alleged medical malpractice. They didn't want someone with my background serving. So finally I served here on a case I cannot understand how it was ever brought to trial. I'm sure we don't know half of it, but the prosecutor didn't present a winning case. All over a couple of old kids (19-21) behaving badly and fighting over a cell phone.

Wondering if maybe that's why I was dismissed...too much knowledge of the system. There we people decades older than me, and this was their first time being called, much less serving on a trial.

I even have her trading card!!

So, should someone do a tracker for this? What would a Jury Duty LTC even be like?

What a timely post. I asked to be removed from jury duty because I literally have NO ONE to watch my youngest...my oldest leaves for camp in the morning. I was told by the judge to lump it. I'm considering showing up with my child in tow. I'm more than a little ticked off. I was perfectly fine with it when called and ready to serve...but then they moved the trial. This may be my first time to serve but I'm certainly unhappy and going in with a very bad attitude.

That is a common problem, unfortunately child care problems do not get you excused from jury duty. =( Good Luck

~Aurora

our county court provides daycare for jurors with children ... I think the federal court in OKC may also

I was deferred once because I was the sole caregiver for a child under six.

Of course, now said child is in college so it's unlikely I'll ever be able to get away with that again!

DebBee

Of course, now said child is in college so it's unlikely I'll ever be able to get away with that again!

I have more sympathy for parents with college-aged kids than parents with children under six. ;o)

-- Ryan

I have more sympathy for parents with college-aged kids than parents with children under six. ;o)

It's evident that the great Green One has never had a small child...... However, if he would like to babysit mine while I go sit and reflect in a quiet place on the shores of the Olympic Peninsula, I'm sure I can find the airfare to get me and my child to WA. And no pawning him off on my family in Gig Harbor.....

BB

It's evident that the great Green One has never had a small child......

It's evident you've never had a teenager. ;o)

Small kids and I generally get along pretty well. =)

-- Ryan

It's evident that the great Green One has never had a small child......

It's evident you've never had a teenager.

As someone who has had both, I have to weigh in with Bungalow Boxer on this one. Don't get me wrong, teenagers present their own unique challenges -- but it is small children that you have to watch CONSTANTLY.

I'm considering showing up with my child in tow.

I would. If they won't excuse you because you don't have a sitter, it's their own problem. Personally, I will not leave my children with a sitter. Ever. Personal experiences from when I was a child make it impossible for me to trust any sitter and there's not a judge or court in this country that can change my mind.

Oh... and GT.... If you're so good with young children, I'll be more than happy to drop my son off. He needs to be potty trained ;-)

BB

teenagers present their own unique challenges -- but it is small children that you have to watch CONSTANTLY.

I actually have both currently. Sorry, but I agree with GT. I needed to watch the older one a lot more as he got older than I did when he was younger. Younger ones are loud when they are being "sneaky" but teenagers know how to keep it quiet. Even now that my oldest doesn't live with us, the short amount of time he's here is when I need to be at my most alert.

He needs to be potty trained ;-)

Well, I'm not around to help out, but I can give you some useful advice.

• Teach potty training outdoors.
• Keep a hose nearby. (It should be attached to a working faucet, just to be clear!)

Ummm, yeah, that's pretty much all there is to it. =)

-- Ryan

Tomorrow, my teenager gets to take care of his baby cousin. Should be interesting. He has ZERO experience with babies!

DebBee

Tomorrow, my teenager gets to take care of his baby cousin. Should be interesting. He has ZERO experience with babies!

The best contraceptive, money can't buy.

Jeff

The defendant pled guilty before we got into the courtroom. Yay! No duty for at least 2 years! Weeeeee!!

your cake is waiting for you on the look at me board!!!

I was astonished that he agreed to do it. He HATES babies! He must be really desperate for money. I can't wait to hear what he says when he gets home!

So what did he say about his experience? Any newfound insight?

Jeff

I think it does in CA. I just had one come to my parents house and I seem to remember it being listed as an excuse on the paper. Of course since we're military and don't actually live in CA, though it is our state of residence, I had two valid excuses.

I just had one come to my parents house and I seem to remember it being listed as an excuse on the paper.

If I recall correctly (and that is ALWAYS an iffy proposition, at best), that can be used as a one-time deferral, but not as an excuse. When I was on Duty, the judge was VERY clear, saying he would NOT excuse anyone based on childcare needs, unless it was a documented special-needs situation (and you'd better have REAL proof, not a scribbled note from your alleged doctor). He was quite adamant in his introductory speech, and STILL several people tried to get excused for childcare issues. THey were not only denied, but he gave them a very pointed version of that same speech each time (which tended to discourage others from trying again). I don't know if it was ALL Judges' policy to do that, or just his, but I suspect they all did this.