Jury Duty- Questions, need answer ASAP

[cajungal]

I got summoned for jury duty. This is my 3rd time getting summoned. But, the other 2 times I did not get picked. Well, I got my paper saying to report to court on Monday, March 13th at 8:20 a.m. But, to call a certain number for a recorded message on Friday after 5 p.m. So, I called. And the recorded message says Tuesday instead of Monday. Now I don't which is right the recorded message or the paper. I already took the Monday off work. Tuesday I am already scheduled to work. There is no way my boss is going to change the schedule around again because this is the second time she redid it. So on Tuesday if I got to report, I will be forced to call in. And I can't afford to miss 2 days in a row of work! Jury duty usually only pays for your gas. Usually only $15. And I am still confused on whether to report Monday or Tuesday. And it now Friday night and nobody will around to answer the phones until Monday morning. And that will be too late! It is almost a 30 minute drive from my house to the courthouse. And I will be upset about going all the way there for nothing, plus missing a day of work for nothing. I don't know what to do!

[vbhoutex]

Call Monday morning and tell them what has happened. If you are supposed to report on Tuesday tell them you need to reschedule due to the circumstances you described. That at least lets them know you are willing to serve instead of just ignoring it.

[cajungal]

But, I think it will be too late for me to even call Monday morning. According to the paper, I am supposed to be there for 8:20 a.m. It takes me about a 30 minute drive to get the courthouse, plus added time trying to find a place to park downtown. So, I would probably have to be on the road no later than 7:45. Most people don't even get in there office until 8 a.m.

[HurryKane]

What likely happened is that the court cases scheduled for Monday have been entered as intending to be plead and thus don't need a jury, and they wouldn't have known that until late Friday which is why they asked you to call and check the recording. In this case the recording should supercede the summons.

If you show up at the courthouse Monday they will probably tell you to turn around and go home. I don't know what to tell you about the job, but it's likely that your employer is required to release you for jury duty no matter what. I'm not sure of the legalities of that, maybe someone else could answer that?

[cajungal]

I will just be forced to call in on Tuesday or talk to my boss about it tomorrow. But, that means I will be missing 2 days of work! And I really can't afford that! And she already made the schedule and probably won't put me back working Monday. And if I get chosen for the jury, then there is another week I will be forced to miss! I wish I never would of registered to vote when I was 18. I never vote anyway! I don't think people should be forced to go for jury duty if they don't want to. Plus, they give you very little notice. My letter did not come in until a week ago. Forcing you to alter your life schedule around at the very last minute.

[HurryKane]

Hardly anybody WANTS to go to jury duty, but there's a reason that people are chosen to do it at random. Else there'd be the same small body of people deciding all of the cases and that's hardly representative of the public at large.

I'm kind of sad to hear you don't exercise your ability to vote.

Anyway, good luck with working out your work schedule and maybe you'll get an interesting case.

[DaylilyDawn]

Several years ago I was picked to be on a jury. I really didn't want to be there so when the lawyers were questioning the prospective jurors I said I was a member of an orginization. They asked which one and I told them I was a member of the AHS, the American Hemerocallis Society (My daylily headquarters). They wanted to know exactly what it was and what it entailed. So I told them. I was picked to be on the jury because of that I think. The trial lasted a week and we punished a termite company for using unlawful chemicals that contaminated the house of the plaintiffs. Orkin Pest Control did not come out on the winning end on this. The amount we suggested went into the millions for the damage and into the hundred millions for punitive damages to make up for the way Orkin treated the plaintiffs.

[nholley]

Here in PA you get called for Jury Duty without being registered to vote.

[azsnowman]

Two words........"Jury Nullification!" Just say those 2 little words and I GUARANTEE, you will NEVER, EVER be called upon AGAIN That is "IF" you wish.

Dennis

[GalvestonDuck]

I will just be forced to call in on Tuesday or talk to my boss about it tomorrow. But, that means I will be missing 2 days of work! And I really can't afford that! And she already made the schedule and probably won't put me back working Monday. And if I get chosen for the jury, then there is another week I will be forced to miss! I wish I never would of registered to vote when I was 18. I never vote anyway! I don't think people should be forced to go for jury duty if they don't want to. Plus, they give you very little notice. My letter did not come in until a week ago. Forcing you to alter your life schedule around at the very last minute.

If they actually need you for Tuesday, not Monday, you'll find out by Monday morning. Call your boss today, if possible (the sooner, the better), and explain the situation. Tell her you will check in on Monday at the courthouse and if you don't have to serve that day, you can work. Who knows? Just because the schedule is made out doesn't mean everyone will stick to it. Someone might call in and you'll be needed, or someone might prefer the day off and will work for you on Tuesday instead.

And as far as I know, employers are supposed to accommodate employees who are called to serve on a jury (part of their duty as a citizen). I've been called twice and served once and never had a problem. I've had coworkers who were called and we were able to accommodate them and cover their absence.

Like HurryKane said, not a lot of people want or like to do it. But I considered it an honor and a learning experience...and I got to help punish a drunk driver.

[sunny]

I agree Duckie - I rather enjoy it. Maybe it's because I enjoy putting puzzles together. I get called every two years, without fail. I always get picked and the last three times was foreman. Someone has to do this if the citizens of this country want justice served. The same as voting, I consider it my civic duty.

I did serve one time on a ten week trial where a couple of my fellow jurors were only compensated up to three days by their employer(s). I was lucky, my employer paid me.

But you do have to show or you are in contempt of court. Your employer will have to understand that.

[cajungal]

I did serve one time on a ten week trial where a couple of my fellow jurors were only compensated up to three days by their employer(s). I was lucky, my employer paid me.[/quote] OMG. If I had to serve for 10 weeks, I would go insane! Would the jury pay for my lost wages? The last two times I went, I did not get picked. So, they only gave me a check for about $15 just for gas. There is no way my employer will pay me for lost time, no matter what the reason is. And if I missed even a week of work, and if the jury did not pay my lost wages, I would be in big trouble. I would be seriously overdrawn in my checking account and would not be able to pay my bills. I have a car note, car insurance, credit card bill, dental loan, and a cell phone bill. I struggle all the time just to pay that. And if I would not still live at home with my parents, I would be out on the street. Because I don't make enough at my job to pay for rent, utilities, etc...

The first time I got summoned for jury duty, I was only 19 years old. I did not even have a car at the time. So, my mom had to bring me and had to stay with me during the duration. She could not even drop me off since we live a 30 minute drive from the courthouse. The trial turned out to be a first degree murder trial. I was there all day long and was bored out of my mind. I think I got there around 8 a.m. and they never even gave us a lunch break or anything. Just a couple of 15 minute breaks. So, the only thing anything anybody had time to eat was just a snack out the machine and a coke. We did not even get to get released to go home until at least 7 p.m. Everyone there was very cranky, tired, and hungry. And instead of that being the end of it, they still did not make their decision. So, I had to go back again first thing the next morning. I found out that I got very close to getting picked. The murder happened in a parking lot of a popular nightclub in Houma. Being only 19, I partied a lot, and happened to be in the club that night. I did not see anything though because I was inside the club. And did not step in the parking lot until the club closed at 2 a.m. I saw yellow tape and police cars. So, knew something had to have happened. When they found out I was in the vicinity, they thought I could be a potential witness. But, I was not and I did not get chosen afterall. They asked if I believe in the death penalty. And I did. So, I don't know if that swayed their decision. I believe in the death penalty if a murder is committed in cold blood and the person does not have any remorse.

The second time I got summoned was a couple of years later. Don't remember what the trial was about. Did not get picked that time either. That time was not as bad. I was there all day again, but at least they gave us an hour for lunch this time. So, I was able to go to one of the restarants nearby and eat. So, this is my 3rd time. I have a feeling that I won't be able to get out of it this time. My co-worker was joking with me and said that I should say that I am a JW (Jehovah Witness) and it is against my religion. My nanny is a JW. I am not. I am Catholic. But, it is not like I am going to say something like that and lie about my religion. LOL. My last question is, if I get picked, will the jury pay for my lost wages? That is what I am worried about the most.

[Miss Mary]

You are the third person I know assigned to March 13th Jury Duty. My husband's sec'y and myself are the other two.

I obtained an exemption, b/c of my chronic medical situation, after my bowel resection. My Internist wrote a letter explaining why it would difficult to sit in a court room for 10 days, from 8 to 4:30. Now I realize most people who have been assigned to a 2 week span like this, rarely are in a court room a full day. But they've had to report at least 3 days out of 10. The way my luck is, I would have been assigned to a trial going the full 2 weeks. And it is a waiting game as you've described cajungal. You don't know until the evening before or the morning of the date, if you're expected or not. At least they give you this much info earlier than 8 a.m. I have to wonder if years ago, you just reported, after taking off work, to see if you're assigned or not?

I am so relieved to know I'm out of it. I was told by the Jury board I'm expempted for life now, I don't have to worry about being reassigned again. I have my exemption form, a copy of my doctor's letter and I'm holding onto them, in case they call me Monday morning - Mary, where are you? That could happen, I was told.

Good luck with it. The whole idea of not eating for 10 days so I could somehow perform this civic duty was enough to put my GI Tract into overdrive. There was just no way I could perform such a duty, and be as normal as the other 11 sitting there in jury chairs. Sure that would have worked out well - not!

This might help cajungal - if you have very strong opinions about something, state them. You might just be exempted for them! For example, if the trial I would have been about circus animals, I would have definitely had a very strong opinion about that. Or gay rights (for them). Because I'm so left wing, non-conservative, equal rights for all, my husband said I could have just waited it out and let these very strong opinions known. I would have probably let go, b/c of them. So what I'm saying is this - if you have similar but different opinions about something, let them be known! You could be out of by mid-week!

I was going to be paid $19 a day for each day I was assigned to report, here in Ohio.

Mary

[gtalum]

You need to research your state laws regarding jury duty. Every state is different.

It is doubtful that the state would compensate you for lost wages. Chances are, they will offer you some smalla mount like $15 per day if your employer won't pay you for the lost time.

Latsly, it's unrelated, but you really should vote.

[cajungal]

I doubt they would let me out of it even though I have a chronic medical condition. I have pretty bad IBS. When it really flares up, I am balled up in tears. And it is worse in the morning. Almost every morning I go through the same thing. And it worse under any kind of stress or my nerves. I don't think they would want me to serve on a jury. I also suffer from depression. And can go from manic to severe depression in less than 24 hours. I don't tell many people about that because I am embarrassed, but here I am posting it on a message board.

[Miss Mary]

cajungal - your symptoms are the very ones that got me out of jury duty. My doctor wrote that I had colon cancer in 1999, a bowel resection and now I'm left with a chronic situation of not begin able to sit for long periods of time, w/o needing a bathroom frequently. When I told the jury board manager more, she said - say no more, I'd be very worried about you sitting there in court. And honestly I want to say - how focussed would I be anyway? I'd be feeling terrible sitting there and not paying close attention anyway. I worked on this for about a week. I wasn't sure until 2 weeks ago, that I would have been exempted. But in the end, all agreed - it was best that I be exempted. Whew. I wish you luck. I already know what I was going to have to do - skip breakfast, lunch and eat a light dinner each night. I don't know how I could have done that. But in emergencies or on vacations I do this (travel days). Just not potentially for 10 days. Even 5 straight.

I wish you the best here. In your behalf, I know of no one that has had to report for the full 10 days, more like 3. But 3 was even too much for my situation.

You don't have to worry about saying too much here, I saw the title - jury duty - and the author - you, cajungal - and just let out a huge sigh for you. If I could, I'd write a letter explaining what you go thru.

Mary

[HurryKane]

http://www.babcockfirm.com/practicearea ... /faqs.html

There are other exceptions to Louisiana's employment-at-will doctrine. Louisiana employees may not be disciplined or discharged at-will for:

* Being called to military service
* Political opinions or voting
* Exercising right of association
* Wage garnishment
* Filing workers' compensation claim
* Being called to jury duty

(Employer must also pay the employee one day's wages during the jury service.)

From http://www.fija.org/state_juror_compens ... atutes.htm :

LOUISIANA: LA R.S. 23;965B.(1) and (2) Jury duty and dismissal forbidden; uninterrupted compensations; penalties which in pertinent part states:

B.(1) Any person who is regularly employed in the state of Louisiana shall, upon call or subpoena to serve on a state petit or grand jury, or central jury pool, be granted a leave of absence by his employer, of up to one day, for that period of time required for such jury duty. Such leave of absence shall be granted without loss of wages, or sick, emergency, or personal leave or any other benefit.

(2) Any employer who violates the provisions of this Subsection shall be required to pay the claimant employee his full wages for one day of that period required for jury duty, without reduction in sick, emergency, or personal leave or any other benefit. The employer shall additionally be fined no less than one hundred dollard nor more than five hundred dollars for each offense.

LA R.S. 13:3049: Duty to attend:

Penalty for delinquency; compensation; certificate of attendance which states in pertinent part:

B.(1)(a) The jurors in criminal cases who attend may demand and receive from the parish treasury compensation and an allowance for mileage necessarily traveled going to and from the courthouse to be fixed by the district judges of each judicial district, sitting en banc, subject to approval by the parish governing authority.

(b) The compensation shall not be less than twelve dollars nor more than twenty-five dollars for each day of attendance in court, and the mileage allowance shall not be less than sixteen cents per mile nor more than the rate in

effect for state officials.

(c) Only one change shall be made for mileage each way.

(2)(a) Except as provided by special law, the jurors in civil cases who attend may demand and receive twelve dollars for each day of attendance in court, and sixteen cents for each mile necessarily traveled in going to and returning from the courthouse. Only one charge shall be made for mileage each way.

[sunny]

You need to research your state laws regarding jury duty. Every state is different.

It is doubtful that the state would compensate you for lost wages. Chances are, they will offer you some smalla mount like $15 per day if your employer won't pay you for the lost time.

Latsly, it's unrelated, but you really should vote.

I think it's $25 a day here. Which I was required to sign over to my employer since I was paid by them while I served.

[breeze]

Aw, do like I did - just once. Rock the boat. Express your very different opinion
on what everyone else sees as a "cut & dry" case. When the jury is turned,
they'll never call on you, again. Period.

[cajungal]

Okay. This is how jury duty went. I had to be there this morning at the courthouse in downtown Houma for 8:30 a.m. The room was packed! I am lucky I got there early enough to get a seat. Because some had to stand because no more seats were available. It was so boring that I had to pinch myself to stay awake. I should of brought some reading material or something. I just sat in the chairs almost staring into space. I did not know anyone there besides one other girl who happens to work with me. But, she was sitting across the room, so I never could say anything to her. Finally they call roll. You would be amazed on how many names they called, yet the person was not even there. I did not want to take a chance of not showing up because they could get you for contempt. So, after they called roll, they said we could take a break until the judge came into the room. Because after that they were going to start calling names and interviewing people. So, everyone had a chance to go to the bathroom, get something to drink or snack on, smoke, whatever. I don't smoke. So, I just went to the bathroom and came back to my seat. I thought the break was never going to end. It must of lasted at least 40 minutes or more. Around 10:30 a.m. they said all for Judge Walker are dismissed. I was there for Judge Walker. And they said to call back Wednesday after 4 p.m. So, I am still not off the hook. 2 hours just for that! The only bright side is I am still getting paid for my mileage which is about 15 miles. And I can still make work tonight because I was not scheduled until 5 p.m. So, I guess I will see what the deal is Wednesday afternoon if I have to go back or not. On another note, I am glad they released me when they did. My IBS was flaring up bad this morning. I was in pain. It did not go away until around noon when I started getting hungry for lunch.