I'm in jury duty today
9 hours today and 9 hours tomorrow, I have to be sitting in the Milwaukee County Courthouse for Jury duty. Here's to hoping I don't get selected for a trial! I can't really afford to take the time off of work, and the $19 a day compensation isn't exactly going to cover it, lol. I managed to swing it where I could take today and tomorrow off, but if I land on a week or longer trial, I'm screwed. I have classes starting in 2 weeks, and don't want to miss classes, either.
Comments
~~NGD
Yeah that does suck. I think this varies by state, but I"m 99% sure that in Maryland an employer has to legally exempt you from work when Jury Duty calls. I'm not sure if they still have to pay you, but I know that you won't have to use up any of your leave.
It's like being called up for military reserve duty. They are obligated to keep you employed, but they won't pay you for the time that you missed.
During jury selection just make it sound like you are going to either fry the guy or let him off with nothing. Or just say you or someone you know got busted for a similar crime and you are bitter about it. Not really a lie, but it will make them choose better canadates.
True. Just make it seem that you are extremely biased one way or the other. Just a little acting on your part. Even if you make a mockery of it and act ridiculous, they'll see that you're not serious and won't consider you. Or in the wise words of Homer Simpson:
" The key to getting out of jury duty is to say you're prejudice against all races."
Interesting side note: there is a court room scene from the Dark Knight that was shot in the Daley Center Plaza in downtown Chicago. This is where I was summoned for jury duty. When I saw the film, I jumped out of my seat during this scene and screamed "Dude, I've done jury duty there!!!"
Another funny story from that day: I was sitting in the waiting room for like hours and really had to take a crap. I was afraid I'd be called if I took a crap, so I waited a while. Then it was like I had to get this out, there was no other choice. So I went to the bathroom. About halfway through my shit, I hear "Will panel number 9 please report to the front desk." I looked at my card, and sure enough it had a bid #9 on it. "Dammit!" I thought to myself. I proceeded to wipe as fast as possible. A few minutes later I heard over the intercom "We are missing one juror from panel 9, will the last juror for panel number 9 please report to the front desk." I was almost done, and a couple minutes later I emerged from the washroom which was directly across from the front desk, where a group of 30 some people was waiting. I showed the person at the front desk my card, and everyone else in line was giving me this dirty look, but I was all like "Hey, that HAD to be taken care of."
Edit: no, it really wasn't a typo. We got each others' mail all the time. I never met my doppelganger, but apparently he had bonus cards at many of the same places I shop