I bet it's probably more interesting working on criminal cases, although I see myself getting more involved and feeling more confident or strongly about my beliefs in a civil rights case.

If I absolutely had to chose to serve in one, I'm not sure which I'd chose... A standard of keeping my attention/forming entertainment, or being given the oppurtunity to help save the freedoms we all take for granted?

I'm sure the second option isn't a common interest in 16 year olds. Granted I were like most American teenager's, whose interest included breasts, violence, and rap music, I'm sure it would be a criminal case, no question about it. But my IQ is above room temperature, so that's actually a hard one for me.

I'm going to wish you the best of luck JG. I for one never want to be in a position to vote on a jury for someone's life or death, because in some cases you could be wrong.

It had never really occurred to me, but the other day I found out that I was totally wrong about a black and white case for about 6 years. It sometimes takes even longer to find out your judgment has been wrong. I don't mean to discourage you but I sincerely hope you give considerate thoughts to what you are going to vote for.

I've been summoned three times, twice by Cook County and once by Federal Court (U.S. District Court for Northern Illinois).

Cook County had (it's been a couple of years) a "one day/one trial" system. You're summoned for one day only unless you are selected to a jury, then you sit for the duration of the trial. I was not seated as a juror so my obligation lasted only one day.

Federal court has a two week "on call" commitment. You have to call the night before to find out if you're required for the jury pool the next day. I got seated on a trial jury on the first day. It was an employment discrimination case that lasted five days and it was a real-life experience of my grad school background. It could not have been more fascinating. The case was in Federal court because the plaintiff alleged employment discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act against a Federal agency, the Department of Veterans Affairs.

But it was a civil case and not a criminal case. And there's certainly a lot more at stake when incarceration is the consequence of your verdict.

tony b.

I never served on a Grand Jury, but I think, if you get selected it can be for at least a year no? Not sure how that works.

I know they do take financial hardship into consideration, and if your employer only pays for say 3 days, they may put you on a short trial, and if you don't get paid at all, most likely you won't get selected. I know I couldn't afford to serve for any lengthy period without pay.

In California, the jury pay was only $7.00 a day,but recently it went up to, I believe $15. a day (we got a raise :p ), and gas expense one way only.

TIS

plaw's right: a grand jury is essentially a rubber stamp for the prosecution. The defendent isn't even represented during the proceedings. The general idea is that unless there's a hole in the prosecution's case big enough to drive a truck through, the grand jury will choose to "return a true bill" and let a "petite jury" determine innocence or guilt.
There are pros and cons to a grand jury, vs. a petite (standard) jury:
A grand jury actually has work to do. You do get to hear evidence; and even though it's basically a rubber stamp, it can be an interesting insight into crime and police work. By contrast, being called for a regular jury in NJ is an exercise in mistreatment and boredom: they keep you cooped up all day in a big bullpen; you seldom even get called into a courtroom; most of the cases being heard are civil; and even if you're seated on a jury, chances are the lawyers will agree to a settlement before the case is heard. So, your "civic duty" is just a prop for lawyers' maneuvering.
But, as you point out, service is long, and you lose your own time, big time.

guess who got picked 3 days at least of sitting silently in a courtroom listening....and after day 1 it still seems fun to me

i just feel so bad for the people who got picked who have legitimate excuses that they werent even allowed to bring b4 the judge i know not everyone is going to want to be there like me, but for some of these people they have real conflicts with this whole thing

and then there r the people who tried their hardest to get out of it for no reasons at all and STILL got picked and i love it

Excited? Actually you know what, that's a good thing that you got picked; better they pick the people who want to do it, you know? Anyway, good luck, and have fun!

I just got this letter today - the day before I was supposed to report:


Thank goodness!! I really was NOT looking forward to doing this once/week for 16 weeks!! Especially since I'd have to start tomorrow, and, the next day I'm going away and could've used the time to get things ready!

Sorry, Flame - I'll have to wait to share your "excitement"!!! (How was it, anyway?)

Ha ha!! How funny, because I just got a jury summons today for April 4th. Only, I really don't mind going. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but I find it very interesting.


TIS

Btw, what's an acceptable "excuse" to get out of Jury Duty in NJ?

I didn't even give them an excuse. I remember putting down self-employed, but don't recall if I really pushed it besides that. This letter just came out of the blue - perhaps divine intervention!

Good for you JG!