So, I’ve been summoned for jury duty in Illinois for the first time. (I still get summoned for jury duty at least once a year in California, where I have not lived for five years. They seem to be a little short of jurors in California.)
I realize that many people loathe the very idea of jury duty, that it makes them grumble and groan and think awful thoughts about bureaucracies. But in my job I get to interact with juries fairly regularly, and I think it’s an incredibly important and cool aspect of our legal system (particularly civil juries, which virtually no other country in the world uses).
I’ve been called as a “standby” juror, so I have to call in the night before to see if they’ll need me, and the language of the summons leads me to believe that the answer to that is probably “no.” Even if it’s yes, my background and particularly my current job make it kind of unlikely, I think, that I’ll actually be selected for a jury. And (here’s where you all shake your heads in disbelief and wonder what the eff is wrong with me): that kind of bums me out. I’m kind of hoping that I’ll be empaneled. I’d like to see the system from that side for a change.
That’s pretty much a guarantee that I’ll be dismissed immediately, isn’t it? Murphy’s Law of juries: the more you don’t want to be on one, the more likely you are to be selected. Perhaps I should go in there all sullen and slouchy and acting like I’ve got better places to be. Maybe then they’ll choose me.
A former co-worker was on a jury for a pretty major case regarding a musician being dragged and injured by a commuter train. She was gone from work for weeks.
Another friend was on a jury for a pretty serious murder trial. That one was cut and dry and she was only gone from work for about a week.
Both friends insist the process was fascinating. I definitely echo your sentiments about wanting to sit on a jury. That said, I’ve lived in Illinois for over a decade and have yet to be called for jury duty (did I just jinx myself?!?).
I’ve never been called for jury duty. WTF? I’m almost 40, I pay my taxes, why not pick me?? My hubby got on the jury of a capital murder case when we were in FL. I would love to see the process from the other side.
I have only been called for jury duty once-and by then I had moved out the state. Boooo. Now that I am an atty, I can’t imagine that anyone would want me on a jury (even though I am inactive). My dad gets picked all the time and as soon as they find out that he is also an atty? He’s gone.
I just picture you waving your hand and shouting, “Oh! Oh! Pick me! Pick me!”
I’ve never been summoned for jury duty, but I would love it if I were! I’d love to be on a jury.
I’ve always wanted to be on a jury, too! I almost had a chance one summer in college… got as far as into the room where jury selection was going on, but they filled the jury before they called me up. I’ve gotten several jury summons from New York (where I haven’t lived since 2002), but none in Virginia. I once had a summons in DC where I was told everyone got chosen for a jury (you can’t walk one block down the street without running into 10 lawyers, so that’s not an out there), but apparently every case settled that day, which is unheard of.
I was once almost on a jury for a serious felony. One of the attorney asked to dismiss me from the jury selection because of how I answered a question. Or at least I think that’s why. I’m kind of glad, I think I would’ve really not enjoyed it.
I agree! I’ve never understood people’s problem with jury duty. I think it would be totally cool to hear a case and see the system function. I’ve never been summoned though, in nearly 10 years of being a registered voter.