OT/Question regarding bailing on jury duty?

[Deertick]

I know if you don't show, some judges are getting sick of it and issuing bench warrants for contempt of court. Possible $500 fine and 20 days in jail. They usually give a second chance. I'm not sure, but I think if you actually leave, there may not be a second chance! That would seem to be the definition of contempt of court.

[ullmandds]

thanks jim...I guess I'll stay!

[Deertick]

[oskafagus]

I was scheduled for jury duty in July. When it came around, I totally forgot about it. Ended up calling them in the middle of the week that I was supposed to be serving, and she rescheduled me for two weeks later. When it came around again, I called as I was instructed to find out what time I was supposed to show up, and a pre-recorded message stated: "There are no trials this week. Thank you for your service." Hope it works out as well for you!

[ullmandds]

nice isaac...u lucked out!!!!! i'm just sitting here...biding my time...it figures today there is virtually 0 activity on here!!!!!!

I'm hoping they let me go at lunch so atleast I can see most of my patients today!!!!!!

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Deertick

I know if you don't show, some judges are getting sick of it and issuing bench warrants for contempt of court. Possible $500 fine and 20 days in jail. They usually give a second chance. I'm not sure, but I think if you actually leave, there may not be a second chance! That would seem to be the definition of contempt of court.

How could they ever prove you received the summons? They don't send them with delivery confirmation. After all, mail sometimes really does get lost. I don't see how they could legally enforce that without proving you recieved it.

[HBroll]

Bench warrants are not sent through the mail. The police show up at your door or work, etc. and give you a free ride to the station.

A bench warrant is issued by a judge for the arrest of a person because they failed to appear at a required court hearing. A bench warrant allows law enforcement officials the ability to arrest the suspect at their residence, their place of work, or anywhere else they are sighted.

[vintagetoppsguy]

I didn't word my question correctly. Jim said that the judges are getting tired of people not showing up for jury duty. I meant, how could they ever prove you received the notice for jury duty?

[Mikehealer]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

How could they ever prove you received the summons? They don't send them with delivery confirmation. After all, mail sometimes really does get lost. I don't see how they could legally enforce that without proving you recieved it.

When they asked why you didn't show up. Unless you lie about and say you didn't receive the notice.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Mikehealer

When they asked why you didn't show up. Unless you lie about and say you didn't receive the notice.

Fair answer. But what if you really didn't receive it or accidentally tossed it?

[Griffins]

I've got jury duty the week after next, and was researching it. The site says that in LA County at least you have to prove you didn't get the summons, it is presumed that you did if it was mailed to where you normally get your mail.
I suspect other areas follow the same rules.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Griffins

I've got jury duty the week after next, and was researching it. The site says that in LA County at least you have to prove you didn't get the summons, it is presumed that you did if it was mailed to where you normally get your mail.
I suspect other areas follow the same rules.

Hey, Anthony, I'm supposed to start a trial that week downtown. If you're on my panel I'll get you thrown off so you can go home...

[Buythatcard]

Pretty funny that someone started this thread today. I just came back from my doctor about an hour ago, who wrote me a note to get excused from jury duty. It just happens that I have a severe hearing loss which would make it tough for me to serve.

For the first time in my life, I feel that having a hearing loss is not so bad after all.

[rdixon1208]

Originally Posted by Griffins

I've got jury duty the week after next, and was researching it. The site says that in LA County at least you have to prove you didn't get the summons, it is presumed that you did if it was mailed to where you normally get your mail.
I suspect other areas follow the same rules.

That's pretty silly....even for California. How could you ever prove you didn't receive something? Especially if you didn't know it was coming in the first place.

[ullmandds]

frank...thanks for your well thought out response!!!

believe me...I would have loved to be a part of a jury...the comeraderie of it would be refreshing and exciting to me! I would probably end up being the juror who kept the rest of the jury in deliberations for days!!!!!

but...just sitting around...doing nothing was a waste of time...and sucked!!!!!

[t206blogcom]

Just felt like this thread needed a T206 thrown in...

[Deertick]

When 40% don't show up on a consistent basis*, usually the Judge issues an amnesty of sorts**, to voluntarily come in to explain. After that expires, they are hauled in (free transportation!) to explain themselves. As Mike said, most tell the truth. All (except valid exclusions) are usually recalled very shortly after. A second no show is a big no no.


*Pecentages can vary between 1-100%

**Depends on how ornery, the Judge is

[Anthony S.]

The bright side is that there'll probably be alot of people in your cell block who need dental care.

[sycks22]

I also got Jury duty next week, not excited. It'll be tough missing time as a teacher if they take me. I laughed at the T206 card thrown in.

[bigtrain]

Jury duty is a pain in the neck. It is a disruption in our daily lives, keeping us from work and other important personal obligations. It is also a fundamental duty that helps to preserve our rights to trial by jury...a right that very few of us would want to give up. We have it pretty good in this country. I mean many of us have it so good that something as trivial as baseball cards can be important to us. The government doesn't ask much. Paying taxes and jury duty. I have been a trial lawyer, have police officers in my family, have been the victim of a crime, have been party to a lawsuit, in other words, it is unlikely that I will ever be allowed to actually sit on a jury. Nevertheless, I don't mind giving up a couple of days every 3 years or so if that's what it takes to keep the system working.

[DHogan]

I had jury duty once a few years ago. I asked if I could be excused, because I didn't have anyone to care for my disabled wife. I was telling the truth. The judge said "won't any of your neighbors help her ?" I just looked at him and said no sir. I guess he thought Boston was Mayberry RFD.

[Rich Klein]

The firs time I was called to a place about an hour away from where I lived, the only drawback being in the county I was in as my taxes and insurance was actually much cheaper.

Drove up Monday. was told to come back Tues Morning -- got there Tues Morning -- to hear these wonderful words, all cases have pled -- go home and enjoy your day off. I went to work both days (I was still at Beckett and really did enjoy my job)

About 18 months ago I had my 2nd Jury Summone. Drove about 1/2 hour north, was in the pool to be selected, never was asked or answered a question and was picked for the jury. We finished that day and then went to about 2 PM the next day. Called my manager, no problem with JD --- and got paid. And for those who may not realize it, the federal government looks very very unkindly on anyone who will not pay you while you are on JD. If your boss tells you no, file a complaint and see how fast the company has to pay a large fine.

My case was a drunken driving case, and yes we voted the guy guilty immediately BUT I don't think he was really drunk when he was pulled over, I think he was tired, a tad tipsy, and probably dehydrated from what he had done earlier that day. And iin retrospect, I'd rather have voted for a driving while impaired which was his real condition

[Rob D.]

I've been on only one jury: a first-degree murder trial of an 18-year-old Latino accused in the stabbing death of his father. A guilty verdict meant an automatic death sentence. The case appeared to be open-and-shut: The defendant had a weak alibi; a knife he claimed to have lost was found at the murder scene; and several witnesses either heard screaming, saw the killing or the teen fleeing the scene.

Eleven of us immediately voted guilty. Only one juror voted not guilty. We all thought we'd be out of there quickly. I think that at first the guy voted not guilty more for the sake of discussion. Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, you know.

As deliberations unfolded, it became apparent there was quite a range of personalities in the room. A few fights nearly broke out. In the end, the guy ended up convincing all of us that a not-guilty verdict was appropriate.

It was like something out of a movie.

[slidekellyslide]

How was he able to convince you of "Not guilty" after witnesses saw him running from the scene?

[Mikehealer]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

I've been on only one jury: a first-degree murder trial of an 18-year-old Latino accused in the stabbing death of his father. A guilty verdict meant an automatic death sentence. The case appeared to be open-and-shut: The defendant had a weak alibi; a knife he claimed to have lost was found at the murder scene; and several witnesses either heard screaming, saw the killing or the teen fleeing the scene.

Eleven of us immediately voted guilty. Only one juror voted not guilty. We all thought we'd be out of there quickly. I think that at first the guy voted not guilty more for the sake of discussion. Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, you know.

As deliberations unfolded, it became apparent there was quite a range of personalities in the room. A few fights nearly broke out. In the end, the guy ended up convincing all of us that a not-guilty verdict was appropriate.

It was like something out of a movie.

I bet it would make a good movie.

[bh3443]

Hi,
I get a letter from my Dr. excusing me from jury duty due to my illness.
However, before I got sick, I was called a few times. Once, while waiting to see if I was called, a guy next to me struck up a conversation about bailing out of the court house. He planned on saying he could not be a good juror because he was racist, predjudiced against everyone. I told him that was not a good idea and ride the morning out as chances of getting called were slim because of the days docket list.
Well, the guy opened up screaming obscenities at a court officer and was hauled away by a crew of court officers. While I and the rest of the potential jurors watched a million year old film about jury duty, this guy was charged with causing a scene in the courthouse. We all left in about 2 hours while this guy was awaiting his own appearance before a judge!
So, I'd stick it out if I were you, my friend!
Oh, lol, lmk if you get to see that vintage film "Jury Duty and You",lol!
Have a pleasant day,
Bill Hedin
PS: Interesting and bizarre things seem to happen around me for some unknown reason! I would say I talk too much!