Hotscot

Just completed my first Jury Duty requirement since becoming a cit.

When I say completed, that meant checking on the internet every night after 5.00 to see if I had to report. Checked each day and was told not to report for the following day and now that's me done after five days of reporting in.

Free, until next time

Sally Redux

I am innocent OK

Hotscot

Bribes accepted graciously....

Scouse Express

Did it twice in the UK, including just before I emigrated.

Got out of a Children's Home Sex Abuse Trial ,which was expected to last 6 Months.......only because my Date to Emigrate had just been approved (Thank Goodness).

S Folinsky

For those who are not in L.A., L.A. County has a "one day, one trial" rule for a term of jury duty. The summons requires one to be available for five court days and you check every evening if you have to appear the following day.

I've never made it past day 5 as did OP.

With one exception, I have only done the "one day" and, never having been empaneled, never did "one trial." That one exception involved being on the second voir dire of the day and being required to return the following day when it did not finish. So, I was paid for the second day -- $15.00!

On one voir dire, I was able to interpret the signs to see that the case was a major felony trial involving an altercation of some type with the police. When I was asked "can you trust the testimony of a policeman?" I responded that "I have never done criminal law, but I've had encounters with law enforcement in immigration practice. Most cops are quite honest, just the facts. However, a few do 'testi-lie.' So, case by case." I was the DA's second peremptory challenge [after a criminal defense lawyer].

I know a former DA who was summonsed shortly after he went into private practice. Knowing that there was no way in Hell he would be empaneled, he was quite surprised when he made it onto the jury! Afterwards, knowing the lawyers on both sides he asked them "WTF!" and was told "we know you, you are a straight shooter and we trusted you." From what I understand, it was a complicated case and both sides felt that a knowledgable person in the jury room who would bend over backwards not to be an undue influence would be a good thing. Also, both sides were satisfied with the verdict. Interesting.

scrubbedexpat091

Seems like they have streamlined a bit, and not a bunch of wasted days sitting in a courthouse doing nothing waiting to see if your called or not.

Pulaski

Never called in the UK, and never called here either (citizen for seven years).

Mrs P has been called three (plus one recall) times, served on one jury. The last time she was called she was five (five!) months pregnant and asked to be excused. ..... The judge declined to excuse her, but gave her a three (three!!!! ) month deferral. She decided that she'd sooner serve on a jury eight months pregnant than with a two month old baby. .... When she reported the clerk of court asked WTF she was reporting!

Cardienscarf

The lady doth protest too much, me thinks.

rpjs

Never got called in the UK despite 27 years of eligibility there and always wanted to see what it was like. (Still to file my N-400 here.) OH is a dual US/Irish citizen so eligible in the UK and did get called there about a year before we moved here.

durham_lad

I've been called 4 times, been through jury questioning 3 times and selected once. Fortunately the case only lasted 2 days.

MarylandNed

I had to report once. Had what I thought was a high number (#58 I think) but they actually made it all the way to #45 before the jury was finally selected. I was sweating because we were told that the trial was scheduled to last "at least" 3 days. Turned out it lasted 10 days. Lucky escape!

andrewlohnes

Do you still get paid by your employer when on jury duty? I've always wanted to do it for a good case because I think I'd find it interesting.

Sally Redux

Is it because I is handsome?

Anian

Was on two cases in the UK, my biggest fear after getting my US citizenship is that I'll be called up for a state case and have to go to one of the awkward courts downtown for weeks.

sir_eccles

Isn't that the truth. We're always more concerned about finding parking or having to get up an hour earlier than the actual sitting on the jury bit.