Jury duty summons

ForeOnRoad · December 7, 2005

I experienced jury duty summons for the first time in my life. I was notified over a month ago, then found out about the period I would serve, then went in for orientation/jury selection two days ago. There were 200 people in the orientation class. They said that today they had more trials going on since a year hehe.

It is a unique experience. Ages were from 20's to 70's. There were about 30 people involved in the jury selection in my group. 8 people were chosen.

The jury selection process was interesting. It involved "raise your hand" questions to see if anyone should not be a juror at all and for that specific case. There was also a question sheet that everyone had to verbally respond to for the judge and attorneys (everyone else could hear, too). You are basically describing yourself to everyone there. Personally, I think this should be done in a private manner. People had to answer questions from the judge and attorneys publically, too. Everything was handled well, though.

The judge was very friendly and handled the whole process beautifully. I'm sure that he has done so many, many times, though.

I was there about half the day. Don't feel like you are going to be incovenienced too much. I think most people feel differently once they go through the process and know more about what is going on.

Even though I wasn't selected to be a juror for this trial I felt that I did a little to help the judicial system then. I may be given another opportunity some day.

Anyway, it was a unique experience and may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Geo · December 8, 2005

Good on you. :cheesy: Not nearly enough people enjoy taking part in the legal system (unless there will be a chance to ink their own book deal afterwards). Sadly, I get excluded because I have an inherent ability (in my eyes) to sniff my way through BS and make sure they know it (either that or b/c I work at a prison!). :)

ForeOnRoad · December 9, 2005

I wasn't too happy about being selected. I don't think very many people are the first time. What I was happy about was how well they handled everything and explained it all to everyone. You start to feel differently about the situation once you go into the courtroom for the jury selection.

I just noticed that you are apparently in Salt Lake, too hehe. They did a great job there. I might not have felt the same way with another courthouse/judge.

pitchmaster1224 · December 9, 2005

i wasn't happy when i got a summon but the case i was suppose to serve on got canceled before it even started....twice! i was suppose to serve for a case this past july and aug. and both were settled beforehand!!! :)