Wyodiver33

Hi all. I live in Broward County, South Floriduh. I have a problem. I was recently selected for jury duty. I don't want to do it! My employer is going to freak when he finds out. I know it's my civic duty and I do care, but I just don't want to do it. How can I get out of it? The notification was sent by standard mail, no return receipt or anything. There's no proof that I ever received it. Any ideas? Thanks in Advance.

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Plan9

You could always claim some kind of crazy bias during juror selection.

Tell them you're a tobacco-chewin' transvestite who hates whitey.

...

Or call the supplied number and ask them about getting out of it.

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snowy

Often, answering the questions honestly during the selection process will somehow eliminate you.

Otherwise, as Crompsin said, call the number and ask what you can do to get out of it.

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LoganSnake

1. Call the number
2. Fill out your application with racist remarks and be a bigot in general. They're not stupid however, and will often interview you in person as well to make sure that you're a racist and not just bullshitting to get out of it.
3. Go and hope they don't call on you

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laconic1

I've only received one jury duty summons. The night before I was to go I had to call the number on the summons. When I did the recording told me I was not needed and did not need to come in. My sister got out of being picked for a jury once since the defense lawyer in the case she was being considered for was a childhood friend of mine. They usually summon far more people than they need so they can pick an unbiased pool. Chances are you won't be needed.

MSD

Your employer legally can't do anything about it and the effectiveness of the judicial system relies on a large cross-section of the population being available to serve as a jury for their peers. Weaseling out of jury duty when serving isn't a genuine hardship is one of my biggest pet peeves.

kramus

Quoted for truth.
If you want the comfort of having a system where you may choose to be tried by a jury of your peers, consider what constitutes "peers" if all good, regular citizens bail on jury duty. You will be left with a pool of borderline Springer-watching bingo addicts who have trouble stringing two thoughts together, much less retaining and considering evidence presented in a trial. I have never been called up, but if I have to go I will go. Mind, there may be the requisite whining and bitching, but I will do my civic duty unless I find there really is genuine hardship at the time of trial.

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Bill O'Rights

Thank you for saving me a lot of typing, MSD.

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vanblah

Also, regardless of whether you want to serve or not, always ask about Jury Nullification.

Make 'em squirm.

maleficent

WHen I was living in new jersey many moons ago - I DIDN'T get the jury summons the state claimed to have sent me... the police showed up at my place of employment wondering where I was... don't ignore it -

youo should be able to get an extension...

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analog

^^

Willravel

Bring up the term "jury nullification" when you're asked a question. You'll be gone quicker than... something that's gone quickly.

Edit: Gah! Vanblah beat me to it.

MSD

Bringing up jury nullification to frivolously, selfishly, and fraudulently force your dismissal from the jury pool devalues the concept and weakens the society. Nullification is the trump card that the ordinary citizens can play against an unjust system and should be neither flaunted not taken lightly.

Willravel

It's not a misuse if the OP believes that it'd be justice to get out of jury duty.

vanblah

Fact is, they're supposed to tell you about it anyway -- but back in the 20's (my decade may be wrong) "they" changed the wording of the law so they don't have to tell jurors about it anymore. Judges and lawmakers didn't want "average citizens" knowing that they could potentially alter the way the law is interpreted in a courtroom. Judges want that control.

My post was not meant to encourage the frivolous use of jury nullification. Most people don't even know what it is and I want to change that ... I think that whether you serve on jury duty or not you should ask about it.

It's one of the most important rights we have in the United States.

BTW -- it's NOT a sure-fire way to get out of jury duty. In fact, it can get you IN to jury duty. If you get a lawyer who is looking for someone to use it to hang the jury or even overturn a potential conviction then they'll pick you for sure.

EDIT: Looks like the wording was changed in 1969 ... I was way off.

Willravel

Both have to agree.

MSD

I wouldn't ask about it. You're right that a prosecutor will probably dismiss a jury over it, and because of corrupt prosecutors who want to win a conviction rather than see justice served, I would keep it hidden until necessary.

Willravel

That's because you, like me, are someone who is willing to serve. The original poster is not. I would never bring up jury nullification until it was necessary for justice. Here's the thing, though, when people hear jury nullification, they might want to wiki it when they get home, and maybe, just maybe, people will become more aware of a tool for justice. That's a good thing.

thingstodo

Whatever you do, don't ignor the summons. I used to live in Broward County and got called twice. Both times I called the evening before and didn't have to go. Just man up and deal with the situation and all will work out. Your boss will also understand. It's just life.

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