Jerseygirl

I suppose it is but as it was the first time I'd been called it didn't feel like it.

We were told the jury would be required to meet from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm Mon to Thurs every week.

anotherlimey

I've only heard of trials that go on for weeks/months. I can appreciate the vast majority only last a few days at most.

MarylandNed

Or you could even become one yourself once you're a citizen!

Nutmegger

And most times people get called for jury duty and just sit in the jury room and read a book for a day, and that's their service commitment taken care of -- off they go back to work the next day! Of course, if you are in an urban area with a lot of courts working and a big demand for jurors, your mileage may differ.

MarylandNed

Yep - that's what happened to me. Even those who weren't selected were told that they'd fulfilled their civic duty simply by being there. Often knowing that enough jurors are available for trial is enough by itself to trigger plea bargains and out of court settlements. I think I can't be called again for another 2-3 years.

I had a high jury pool number (50+ I think) and I thought my chances of being selected were slim. However, the prosecution and defense lawyers objected to quite a few jurors and it got into the mid 40s before the jury and alternates were finally selected. So I was definitely sweating a bit! The case was projected to last 3-5 days but ended up lasting 7 days I believe.

During a briefing before jury selection we were told of a recent case that lasted 9 months. My employer pays employees while on jury duty so I wasn't too concerned. However, there were many people in the room who were not in the same position - many were concerned about the financial and logistical issues raised by being on a jury.

Yes - I know it's our civic duty as citizens to serve if called upon and that we too would like the right to a jury trial if we ever got ourselves into a bad situation. Like I said before, that doesn't mean that we will enjoy the experience of serving on a jury. Being willing to do something is not the same thing as wanting to do it or enjoying it. Some people may see jury duty as a benefit of gaining US citizenship but I'll guess that most do not.

Rete

Hmmm not what I was told when I was attending jury selection in federal court. Ahhh but times change.

Jerseygirl

This was at the County Court. It's quite a commitment isn't it...approx 8 hrs per day, 4 days per week for approx 3 months?

ian-mstm

Generally, you don't need to be a USC to run for office... except for POTUS/VPOTUS and similar positions.

Ian

anotherlimey

What do you mean I can't be President?

What a waste of my $750....

SultanOfSwing

$750? Did it go up recently?

anotherlimey

$680, I just couldn't be bothered to look it up. But still a waste!

SultanOfSwing

Didn't mean to be an anorak! I was almost feeling bad there for a minute

But at least it's the last money you'll have to give to USCIS. I look at it that way.

MarylandNed

You can't be elected to the US Congress (Senate or House of Representatives) if you're not a US citizen. Not sure about the state governments.

citizenmarie

I lived on a green card for past 19 years in USA. Then last year, got my US citizenship. Reasons:

- I can leave the country for more than a year without fear of losing US residency
- can vote in USA
- can keep my British citizenship (didn't used to be the case)
- more choices: moving around, travel, potential future progeny!
- you can collect "welfare" benefits if needed -- heaven forbid

Downsides:
- have to file US taxes for rest of life even if living in UK (but you only get taxed once). Learned this from the forum, not when I applied for USC!
- have to do jury duty when your name comes up
- whole USC process takes about $1000 all told (including US passport). All costs tripled last year.

anotherlimey

So I had my ceremony this morning

They need to administer one last test - if you're dressed in anything less than a shirt and tie for the ceremony you shouldn't be allowed Citizenship.