Civic Duty

[Bird]

Not long ago, I read a newspaper article about the small percentage of the people who show up after they are sent a jury summons in Dallas. I hadn't thought that much about it in the past and had no idea so few people show up. Even though a person is subject to a fine for failing to show, I guess they'd have a hard time proving you actually received the summons in the mail, and there hasn't been much effort to enforce that law.

On the 23rd of last month, my wife received a jury summons for today for municipal court in our little town about 35 miles north of Dallas. Not many people request a jury trial in city court. I looked at the docket for today and there were 103 cases on the docket with 2 "public intoxication" cases scheduled for jury trials. As it turned out, the city court had sent jury summons to 30 people and my wife was one of the 7 who showed up; less than 24%.

Now I know most of us don't want to serve on a jury, but someone has to do it, and I wonder if the response is that bad in other parts of the country.

 

[dave1949]

That's pretty sad Bird. I have no idea what the reporting percentage is here. I don't recall any newspaper articles about it as an issue locally. I have read about sheriffs rounding up people called to jury duty, was even a case not so long ago, the very frustrated judge (somewhere I also don't recall - there is a developing theme here) sent the deputies out into the streets and told them to come back with a jury!
Dave.

 

[Bird]

I went back and found that story in the Dallas Morning News on September 14, 2009. It said about 20% of those summoned show up in Dallas County. They hoped a new computer system and better updating of addresses would help, but I don't know whether it has or not. I knew some people ignore the summons, but was really surprised by the low numbers. I wouldn't have thought more than 10-20% would fail to show.

 

[20 20]

I understand what your saying.

My question is what type of folks would be on a jury? If I had to go in front of a jury I would not want half the dim witted people I see, passing judgement on me. I know they go through stages of questions etc, but how well does this system work? Sorry not saying your post is bad infact I think it is interesting. I just don't have that much faith left in what this country calls a "justice system". I know there is the old argument it's the best we got...........well IMO that's sad.

I know up here most of the summons go unanswered,.,.,.,. maybe that's a good thing?

 

[QRTRHRS]

Pretty pathetic but to not get to political, for some, it may be a reflection on how hard it is just to get by for many these days. Even minimum wage is better than jury pay. I can also reflect on spending two days listening to a really BS case that boiled down to a case of sour grapes that resulted in a not guilty verdict.

Though, having served a couple of times, it was a good experiance overall and I learned alot. Years ago I lived in NJ where I served on petit jury (handing down indictments) once a week for about 8 weeks as I recall. Luckily, I worked for a big company at the time and was paid for my days on duty even with the miniscule jury duty pay. The first day was one of educating us. We heard from the judges, the prosecuter, the state and local police, undercover, detectives, etc., etc. Very enlightening.

 

[dave1949]

This is the story I was recalling:

From the Mariposa Gazette, Mariposa,CA:

October 28, 2009
By Jill Ballinger
Gazette Editor

Those who didn稚 show up for jury duty will have to face the judge this week. Mariposa County Superior Court Judge Dana Walton was set to hold an informal hearing with about a dozen people on Wednesday afternoon.

The hearing stems from the failure to appear of 42 jurors in the murder case of Christopher McCurdy. When not enough potential jurors showed up, Walton ordered bailiffs to go to the post office and summon people to the Courthouse to serve. The action caused quite an uproar.

Now, Walton will deal with the cause of the problem. Already, he said the court has been contacted by 22 of those who didn稚 show that day. All of them have committed to service on the next two juries. Ten more of those have been found to be ineligible to serve because they have moved, died or are convicted felons.

For more on this story, see this week's Mariposa Gazette.

Dave.

 

[dave1949]

I understand what your saying.

My question is what type of folks would be on a jury? If I had to go in front of a jury I would not want half the dim witted people I see, passing judgement on me. I know they go through stages of questions etc, but how well does this system work? Sorry not saying your post is bad infact I think it is interesting. I just don't have that much faith left in what this country calls a "justice system". I know there is the old argument it's the best we got...........well IMO that's sad.

I know up here most of the summons go unanswered,.,.,.,. maybe that's a good thing?

This has long been a topic - you don't really get a jury of 'your peers'. You get a jury of people who had no good excuse to avoid jury duty.

I have never been called for jury duty, so I have no experiences to relate.

There is an old Persian saying 'There is no justice in justice'.
Dave.

 

[CurlyDave]

The one time I was called for jury duty, I showed up at the courthouse and there were no instructions, no deputy or bailiff to explain the procedure to us, nothing but benches in a large lobby outside the 6 or 8 courtrooms.

I sat down on a bench and waited, wondering if I was even in the right place, until about 11 AM when someone, certainly not the judge, came out and told us the case had settled and we were dismissed.

I asked to speak to the judge for a minute and waited until he could see me. I told him about the lack of instructions, the lack of direction, and that the next time he needed his waiting room bench ballasted I would send him a sack of sand to use instead of a live person.

He actually apologized to me and said he would improve things for prospective jurors.

I never found out if he did, but I can completely understand why people don't show up for jury duty.

 

[Bird]

I just don't have that much faith left in what this country calls a "justice system".

Unfortunately, I agree.

I served on petit jury (handing down indictments) once a week for about 8 weeks as I recall.

Some states call it a petit jury and others, such as Texas, call it a grand jury. I've never served on a grand jury, although I've testified before both state and federal grand juries a number of times.

I think it was about 1975 when I served on a 6 man county court jury; civil case of a mechanic suing a couple of young truckers for his bill.

And in 1998, I served on a capital murder trial. That one really surprised me because defense attorneys normally do not want a police officer, retired officer, or even an officer's family and friends on a jury in a criminal trial.

I guess things are always changing. Last year, my wife served on a criminal case in state court.

 

[Bird]

The one time I was called for jury duty, I showed up at the courthouse and there were no instructions, no deputy or bailiff to explain the procedure to us, nothing but benches in a large lobby outside the 6 or 8 courtrooms.

I sat down on a bench and waited, wondering if I was even in the right place, until about 11 AM when someone, certainly not the judge, came out and told us the case had settled and we were dismissed.

I asked to speak to the judge for a minute and waited until he could see me. I told him about the lack of instructions, the lack of direction, and that the next time he needed his waiting room bench ballasted I would send him a sack of sand to use instead of a live person.

He actually apologized to me and said he would improve things for prospective jurors.

I never found out if he did, but I can completely understand why people don't show up for jury duty.

In my experience, there has been adequate instructions, but sitting and waiting and being bored is normal. Those who are familiar with the system know to carry a good book to read. In addition to the two times I actually served on a jury, I've gotten summons at least 4 other times, showed up of course, and sat half a day to nearly all day before being dismissed.

 

[Willl]

Who can afford to take that amount of time off from work ?

I know I can't.

 

[2manyrocks]

the Mrs got her jury summons and has been on call for about a month with another month to go. The cases keep getting settled. Very inefficient system of management. I think jury pay is about $10 a day. If judges and lawyers were routinely called for jury service themselves, I think the system would get some needed efficiency. The system is about as efficient as those tests at the hospital--wait, wait, wait.....at least you don't get a bill for your jury service

 

[dave1949]

Who can afford to take that amount of time off from work ?

I know I can't.

Hey, sometimes there is a price for real patriotism. I say that only half joking. If you consider what separates us from places you would never want to be thrown in jail - it is our mostly uncorrupted justice system. If honest people don't participate - you know who will.
Dave.

 

[Big Bri]

i've sat in on a jury and loved it. (not the pay) i really enjoyed the hearing both sides, thinking what i would have done if it was my family (this was a traffic death suit). i liked listening to the "expert witness" and how they analyzed what happened. if and when i get called to jury duty i will gladly go.
brian

 

[Matt_Jr]

I served on the jury of an arson trial 2 years ago. It was a 4 day trial that almost made me late on some bills. 35 dollars a day really set me back. Not only that but it took almost 3 months for the check to come. I don't get any sick days or jury duty days, so if I ain't at work, I ain't gettin' paid.

When I showed up the morning I was to serve, the courtroom was crowded with potential jurors. Only a few people didn't show up. Some of us had to wait in the hallway for seating to be arranged and extra chairs brought in. I know one case ended up being settled, and I think they had expected less of us to show up. It was a week before thanksgiving.

As much as it hurt financially, it helped me learn a lot about what really goes on in a courtroom, and meet some interesting people. I'd do it again if the oppertunity was to present itself again.

 

[tallyho8]

In my Parish of Jefferson, jury summons are hand delivered by an officer with a warning that if you don't show up or file cause why you shouldn't, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

The jury waiting room is usually filled with potential jurors and they try to make it as comfortable as possible with TV and coffee and soft drinks and many newspapers and magazines. They come out and give you very specific instructions and answer all questions. You get free parking in a secure area. Usually only about 1/4 of those waiting are picked for jury duty and the rest released by lunch time.

Everyone who went is free from serving again for the next 2 years. And you get a small check in a couple of weeks.

When I hear about juries deciding cases the way OJ's was decided, it makes me want to serve on the jury even more.

 

[drgill]

I have been summoned for jury duty four times and served twice. One trial was for 1st degree murder and the other for breaking and entering. I believe everyone, for thier own education, should serve on a jury once. However, after having done it I have no desire to do it again.

Dennis

 

[Bird]

I can remember a time in Dallas when jurors had to show up each day for a week and sit in the central jury room and maybe never be called. And the pay wasn't enough to cover parking expenses, and certainly not lunch, in downtown Dallas. Things may not be "good" for potential jurors now, but certainly better than it used to be. In Dallas county, it's one day or one trial. And the pay is now $6 the first day and $40 a day after that if you're there more than the one day.

 

[cup149]

I went for my jury duty this past Monday. Armstrong County, PA, I would call it rural/suburban, just north of Pittsburgh. About 90% showed up, but that was low as 95% is the norm. The Sheriff checks on those that don't show up, and I noticed a few people coming in late, so they must have received a phone call. 40 persons were selected to go to another courtroom where a trial was scheduled. The balance waited untill back room negotiatons were completed and deals were worked out. Went home about 11:30.

 

[LMTC]

I sat on a jury nearly 30 years ago, and determined a young man's fate for life. Armed robbery. One person already convicted for the crime was sentenced to 20 years, so this was a serious matter. The majority of this jury was people who simply had nothing else to do....their life revolved around soaps, TV talk shows, and who was visiting their neighbor. They tended to be myopic, petty, and absolutely devoid of the will to think critically. It was both a wonderful and a terrible experience. Thanks to the tireless efforts of one of the other two sane persons on the jury we reached a not guilty verdict....after days of deadlock. After court, the judge asked to meet with us. Lyle Castle, a man who went on to a distinguished career (on an appeals court I think), supported by both parties. He asked us our reasoning, why it took us four days (I think it was 4), thanked us, and then told us had it been trial by judge he would have rendered a not guilty verdict in 30 seconds. The three of us felt vindicated.

I will never seek to get out of jury duty for anything other than a family emergency. This jury was "peers" only to those who live their lives via soaps and springer/oprah. It was frightening to think my fate could be in the hands of a group like most of them. Our last holdout---an older woman (probably 60s)---just kept saying that he was probably guilty of something so it was safer to find him guilty than not guilty. What a genius. As I recall, there were only three people (including me) who were working....on a 12 person jury. I think the system is as good as those running it....and when we all bail out on jury duty, we leave the system to be run by whoever is available. Just my $.02 worth.