About ten years ago, I was a juror on a grisly criminal case. During the three weeks of the trial, I realized I'd rather go to jury duty than to my actual job. Six months after the trial, I had a whole new career.
If you get on a jury, it can be really interesting and you will absolutely meet people who live in your county whom you would have never met otherwise.
Not to dismiss the importance of this annoying but essential civic duty but one of the really fabulous things about turning 70 in Massachusetts? You can skip jury duty.
Seriously, Kim - no need to aplogize for not having a daily post. Those of us for whom your posts are the highlight of the morning fully understand; because Life.
I served on a three-week civil trial about three years ago. Despite all of the obvious things — it was hugely disruptive and inconvenient — it was also actually fascinating (and I loved the judge). My fellow jurors and I made the best of it. I understand why not everyone wants to be bothered with this though, and hope for you that your day is short and you are released. Good luck!
This is the BEST week to do jury duty in NYC. All the judges are likely to clear their calendar for the holiday and you'll likely be quickly dismissed!
Jury duty can be fresh material for writing. You're thrown in with people you might not otherwise know exist. It's interesting how the procedures go. And some cases are truly fascinating. I was on a grand jury indicting an international hit man once! They ended up nailing him for tax evasion. I am not even making this up. It was riveting testimony from people like his long-time neighbors who got postcards from him from Tripoli and other places where assassinations occurred. This was back in the 1980s. It felt like a nice break from my job. Hope you have an interesting experience, Kim.
Thank you for doing your civic duty! I’ve been on a jury only once, and it gave me a lot of insight into the realities and inner workings of the system. Luckily, it wasn’t too disturbing a case, which I’m grateful for. The case was ultimately dismissed within a week so we didn’t get the opportunity to deliberate.
I served grand jury duty last year - 5 hours once a week for 6 weeks. It was fascinating and sometimes really depressing (esp hearing the sex crimes committed). I’d definitely do it again.
For six long weeks, I was a juror. We celebrated our first anniversary last month when we all got back together at a pub. We still kept in touch, and I have grown to enjoy eleven individuals' personalities. So go with an open mind, you never know what you may end up learning about yourself and the strangers you meet.
Both my parents were judges and were constantly asked by people to get them "off" jury duty. And they said no every time. In fact, in my very language diverse city, my mom would have non English speakers sit through (not participate) in the trial with an interpreter so their language skills would improve. As fractured as our political system is, we must have faith in our local justice systems. I can't tell you the times we would see former jurors out and about and they would always thank mom and dad for how well they would handle their courtrooms.
Kim, thank you for setting such a good example!! It may seem like a small thing but it is not. You are putting the self in self-governance.
Just as an aside, I was an alternate on a jury once, which iirc was the week ending in the Fourth. And, I think they railroaded a guy. Nothing I could do.
About ten years ago, I was a juror on a grisly criminal case. During the three weeks of the trial, I realized I'd rather go to jury duty than to my actual job. Six months after the trial, I had a whole new career.
I"ve always wanted to do Jury duty. I'm chronically underemployed an dhave the time. they have never called me! (and i'm 58)
If you get on a jury, it can be really interesting and you will absolutely meet people who live in your county whom you would have never met otherwise.
Not to dismiss the importance of this annoying but essential civic duty but one of the really fabulous things about turning 70 in Massachusetts? You can skip jury duty.
Amazing! I envy you!
LOL....there are a lot of liberating things about aging! Take a good book and stay hydrated! What are you wearing?
Seriously, Kim - no need to aplogize for not having a daily post. Those of us for whom your posts are the highlight of the morning fully understand; because Life.
I served on a three-week civil trial about three years ago. Despite all of the obvious things — it was hugely disruptive and inconvenient — it was also actually fascinating (and I loved the judge). My fellow jurors and I made the best of it. I understand why not everyone wants to be bothered with this though, and hope for you that your day is short and you are released. Good luck!
This is the BEST week to do jury duty in NYC. All the judges are likely to clear their calendar for the holiday and you'll likely be quickly dismissed!
Jury duty can be fresh material for writing. You're thrown in with people you might not otherwise know exist. It's interesting how the procedures go. And some cases are truly fascinating. I was on a grand jury indicting an international hit man once! They ended up nailing him for tax evasion. I am not even making this up. It was riveting testimony from people like his long-time neighbors who got postcards from him from Tripoli and other places where assassinations occurred. This was back in the 1980s. It felt like a nice break from my job. Hope you have an interesting experience, Kim.
The last time I got called for jury duty, George Lucas (the director) was there as well. He got picked to serve, and I didn't!
Thank you for doing your civic duty! I’ve been on a jury only once, and it gave me a lot of insight into the realities and inner workings of the system. Luckily, it wasn’t too disturbing a case, which I’m grateful for. The case was ultimately dismissed within a week so we didn’t get the opportunity to deliberate.
I hope you brought books and puzzles to kill time. Maybe there’s a good restaurant nearby for your lunch break. 😍
I have been called multiple times for jury duty but I have never made it into a courtroom and been out by noon. Have fun?!
I served grand jury duty last year - 5 hours once a week for 6 weeks. It was fascinating and sometimes really depressing (esp hearing the sex crimes committed). I’d definitely do it again.
Hope (at least) it is an interesting case.
For six long weeks, I was a juror. We celebrated our first anniversary last month when we all got back together at a pub. We still kept in touch, and I have grown to enjoy eleven individuals' personalities. So go with an open mind, you never know what you may end up learning about yourself and the strangers you meet.
Best time if you want to be dismissed early! I went a few years back the day before Rosh Hashanah. They couldn’t dismiss us fast enough!
Both my parents were judges and were constantly asked by people to get them "off" jury duty. And they said no every time. In fact, in my very language diverse city, my mom would have non English speakers sit through (not participate) in the trial with an interpreter so their language skills would improve. As fractured as our political system is, we must have faith in our local justice systems. I can't tell you the times we would see former jurors out and about and they would always thank mom and dad for how well they would handle their courtrooms.
Kim, thank you for setting such a good example!! It may seem like a small thing but it is not. You are putting the self in self-governance.
Just as an aside, I was an alternate on a jury once, which iirc was the week ending in the Fourth. And, I think they railroaded a guy. Nothing I could do.