Jury Duty....

[sjfcontrol]

There are benefits to getting old. A couple months ago I became eligible to ignore jury summons. Now I can pick any choose so to speak.The only summons I will probable show up for in the future will be JP court. Although I think I would like to serve on a grand jury. Federal grand jury would be nice, but there are no federal courts in my county.

At what age does that happen?

[n5wd]

Downtown eats: Risky's BBQ (300 Main Street)

That sounds... Risky. If you're actually on a jury, they probably won't give you a choice of where you eat.

Riscky's is definintely risky for your waistline - they've got some of the best BBQ in Fort Worth. A pair of Polish immigrants, the Riscky family opened a grocery and market in what is now one of the barrios of Fort Worth - began adding lunches and the rest is history. The original grocery store is still there at Azle Ave just south of Ephriham and serves the best BBQ of the bunch of Riscky's stores IMHO.

And, unless you're sequestered, which I've never been on the three times I served on county juries, you do have your choice of lunch spots downtown. The courts usually give 1.5-2 hours for lunch - plenty of time to grab a bite.

[Jaguar]

I have never tried to avoid Jury Duty, and have been on a few.

The one I did get out of was because of my conscience and I answered the prosecution questions honestly. A guy was on trial for jumping bail after being convicted on a drug charge but before sentencing. The prosecutor was outlining the possible punishments for this bail jumping charge and was going through the defendants criminal past. He said, this is a class A misdemeanor, but since he had a conviction prior it makes it a state jail felony, anyone have a problem with that? No one had a problem. Then he said, but since it was a second offense, it is a 3rd degree felony, with a sentence of 2-10 years, anyone have a problem with that? No one had a problem. Then he said, since it was a third conviction it made it a 2nd degree felony punishable with 2-20 years in prison, anyone have a problem with that. I was thinking 20 years in prison for jumping bail was excessive, but could lobby for 2 if on the jury, so no one had a problem with that. Then he said because it was during the trial, it became a 1st degree felony punishable by 5-99 year or life in prison, anyone have a problem with that? Well, that was when I had a problem so I raised my hand.

After some more questions they asked everyone to leave except me and some others who also had issues with some of the other questions. The judge looked at me and asked, "you have a problem with the sentencing?" I said, "life in prison for jumping bail seems excessive." He told me I could leave and I didn't have to come back the next day either. I haven't been called for District Criminal Court since although I have served on the County Court jury in a property damage case.

I wasn't trying to avoid it, I just think the system was being unfair and still do to this day. Sure, they had to go to the guy's mother's house to pick him up the next day, but to me it is just piling on at some point. I do feel I should have kept my mouth shut and just voice my opinion on the jury - but keeping my mouth shut has never been one of my strong suits.

[stash]

sjfcontrol - In my county it is age 70.

SJC

[rtschl]

I never try to get out of jury duty. I have postponed once though. I consider it of grave importance to our freedom and rights as citizens and as important as our right to keep and bear arms. I know some were jesting about getting out of jury duty and about a hang 'em all philosophy (and some were serious). I hope the people called in the George Zimmerman trial as jurors don't have either mindset. I know I wouldn't want a jury that "wasn't smart enough" to get out of it or wanted blood before the evidence is presented if I were in Zimmerman's shoes.

Ron

[Dadtodabone]

Western Cut suit w/suede yokes, white shirt w/pearl snaps, understated bolo tie with "Star" slide, very nice tooled western belt w/ranger type buckle/hardware and matching holster(no gun). Discreet Loocheezees and a mid brim off white Bailey felt.
You would of thought I had an infectious disease, lol. The other members of the potential pool wouldn't sit anywhere near me, the Judge stared at me the entire time he instructed us on how juries work and how serving was a privilege, right, and responsibility. Counsel for the defendant looked once, made a quick note, looked back, again and again and again. The prosecuting attorney just looked at me and smiled.

You may have to loan me that outfit next time... I spent 3-4 days on a jury not long ago.

My recollections of the day have been slowly resurfacing since I undertook describing my attire. I now believe that it really wasn't the "All Hat, No Cows" East Texas Cowboy look as much as it was the OWB holster and belt that I did zero to conceal.

[JALLEN]

I'll preface by saying that this is Harris Co. jury selection.
Suit and Tie, didn't work. served 2 days
Sport coat, slacks, dress shirt, sweater vest(a rare chilly day)didn't work. served 1 day
Pull over crew neck sweater, dress shirt, slacks, didn't work. served 2 days
Western Cut suit w/suede yokes, white shirt w/pearl snaps, understated bolo tie with "Star" slide, very nice tooled western belt w/ranger type buckle/hardware and matching holster(no gun). Discreet Loocheezees and a mid brim off white Bailey felt.
You would of thought I had an infectious disease, lol. The other members of the potential pool wouldn't sit anywhere near me, the Judge stared at me the entire time he instructed us on how juries work and how serving was a privilege, right, and responsibility. Counsel for the defendant looked once, made a quick note, looked back, again and again and again. The prosecuting attorney just looked at me and smiled.
I did not serve on the jury and was dismissed, no questions asked.
I had the suit and hat from when I worked on a committee for the AZ State Fair Rodeo. A fast trip to the tailor to increase the girth a smidge, lol, was required.

You mean everyone doesn't dress that way to go downtown?

[sjfcontrol]

I'll preface by saying that this is Harris Co. jury selection.
Suit and Tie, didn't work. served 2 days
Sport coat, slacks, dress shirt, sweater vest(a rare chilly day)didn't work. served 1 day
Pull over crew neck sweater, dress shirt, slacks, didn't work. served 2 days
Western Cut suit w/suede yokes, white shirt w/pearl snaps, understated bolo tie with "Star" slide, very nice tooled western belt w/ranger type buckle/hardware and matching holster(no gun). Discreet Loocheezees and a mid brim off white Bailey felt.
You would of thought I had an infectious disease, lol. The other members of the potential pool wouldn't sit anywhere near me, the Judge stared at me the entire time he instructed us on how juries work and how serving was a privilege, right, and responsibility. Counsel for the defendant looked once, made a quick note, looked back, again and again and again. The prosecuting attorney just looked at me and smiled.
I did not serve on the jury and was dismissed, no questions asked.
I had the suit and hat from when I worked on a committee for the AZ State Fair Rodeo. A fast trip to the tailor to increase the girth a smidge, lol, was required.

What! No spurs?

[The Annoyed Man]

I phoned the jury office to ask a couple of questions yesterday.

1) Free wi-fi? Yes, but no electrical outlets. Come to the office window and ask for the wi-fi password, and they'll give it to you, but your devices better be all charged up.

2) I just came out and said it....."Ma'am, I'm concerned about securing my firearm in my vehicle while I'm inside, and I don't trust the remote parking areas because of the frequent breakins.......where is there a secure place to park where my gun won't get stolen?" She didn't even pause. She gave me directions to the lot across the street, and told me to get there early.

[rotor]

Jury duty. Have been there multiple times including once actually serving on the jury. Have not been called in many years. In my opinion the criminals are given more rights and more respect than jurors. You get called down, wait around and are sent home. Come back in a few hours, given some instructions and sent home. No respect for anyones time. Everyone in the courtroom is getting paid except the jurors and nobody cares that 100 people are not making any money each day. Wouldn't be so bad if at least it was efficient. The one time I did serve on jury it was frightening to see how dumb the jurors were and that they were going to make a decision about jail time for someone. They were very easily swayed into just about voting in any direction.
Word to the wise... don't expect a fair consideration from those 12 ( or whatever number) on a jury. Many are like the dummies you see on Jay Leno when asked who the vice president is, and they don't know. There really are a LOT of stupid people in this world.

[brhalltx]

And, unless you're sequestered, which I've never been on the three times I served on county juries, you do have your choice of lunch spots downtown. The courts usually give 1.5-2 hours for lunch - plenty of time to grab a bite.

Not in Harris County, but it may depend on whether it's criminal or civil. The last jury I was on was criminal; the bailiffs chose the restaurants, and walked us there.
The previous one was civil, years ago, and they did allow us to go to lunch unescorted.

[Jaguar]

Volunteer to served as foreman. That will make it more interesting and maybe you can sway folks to see things your way. I've done it twice, never did get to read the verdict in front of the court, but my name was on the paper signing for all of us and I got to hand it over to the bailiff.

I don't agree that it is 6 or 12 people that couldn't get out of jury duty, the folks I've served with were retired, working, housewives, etc. Just regular folks from around the county. Maybe it's different in the larger communities, but when I did it everyone was engaged and had an opinion on different points that helped us come together to reach an agreement. Both times I've served it was over money so if it is criminal I might feel different, but I am sure the people who are serving have the best interest of all involved at heart and want justice to be served.

My company pays me regular time for jury duty so that helps, and they have a way to donate the money they would send you for your services to a local charity if you want, so I just give mine to the local woman's shelter.

[Dadtodabone]

I'll preface by saying that this is Harris Co. jury selection.
Suit and Tie, didn't work. served 2 days
Sport coat, slacks, dress shirt, sweater vest(a rare chilly day)didn't work. served 1 day
Pull over crew neck sweater, dress shirt, slacks, didn't work. served 2 days
Western Cut suit w/suede yokes, white shirt w/pearl snaps, understated bolo tie with "Star" slide, very nice tooled western belt w/ranger type buckle/hardware and matching holster(no gun). Discreet Loocheezees and a mid brim off white Bailey felt.
You would of thought I had an infectious disease, lol. The other members of the potential pool wouldn't sit anywhere near me, the Judge stared at me the entire time he instructed us on how juries work and how serving was a privilege, right, and responsibility. Counsel for the defendant looked once, made a quick note, looked back, again and again and again. The prosecuting attorney just looked at me and smiled.
I did not serve on the jury and was dismissed, no questions asked.
I had the suit and hat from when I worked on a committee for the AZ State Fair Rodeo. A fast trip to the tailor to increase the girth a smidge, lol, was required.

You mean everyone doesn't dress that way to go downtown?

You are confusing Houston with Dallas.

[Mel]

And, unless you're sequestered, which I've never been on the three times I served on county juries, you do have your choice of lunch spots downtown. The courts usually give 1.5-2 hours for lunch - plenty of time to grab a bite.

Not in Harris County, but it may depend on whether it's criminal or civil. The last jury I was on was criminal; the bailiffs chose the restaurants, and walked us there.
The previous one was civil, years ago, and they did allow us to go to lunch unescorted.

I've served on two criminal juries in Dallas County and we were free to go wherever we wanted for lunch in both cases.

[Dadtodabone]

I'll preface by saying that this is Harris Co. jury selection.
Suit and Tie, didn't work. served 2 days
Sport coat, slacks, dress shirt, sweater vest(a rare chilly day)didn't work. served 1 day
Pull over crew neck sweater, dress shirt, slacks, didn't work. served 2 days
Western Cut suit w/suede yokes, white shirt w/pearl snaps, understated bolo tie with "Star" slide, very nice tooled western belt w/ranger type buckle/hardware and matching holster(no gun). Discreet Loocheezees and a mid brim off white Bailey felt.
You would of thought I had an infectious disease, lol. The other members of the potential pool wouldn't sit anywhere near me, the Judge stared at me the entire time he instructed us on how juries work and how serving was a privilege, right, and responsibility. Counsel for the defendant looked once, made a quick note, looked back, again and again and again. The prosecuting attorney just looked at me and smiled.
I did not serve on the jury and was dismissed, no questions asked.
I had the suit and hat from when I worked on a committee for the AZ State Fair Rodeo. A fast trip to the tailor to increase the girth a smidge, lol, was required.

What! No spurs?

Nope, East Texas Cowboy now, All Hat/No Cows. Besides my wife would get P.O.ed if I marred the leather seats or scuffed up the carpet in "Her Denali" while wearing spurs. I do own a pair of Herridge spurs, haven't worn them in decades, that will be bequeathed to my nephew who still runs some cows in AZ.