Question on Jury Duty: I'm on jury duty in Delaware for 2 weeks and already sat on one jury to the conclusion of the trial. At no point from the time we walked into the building Monday...

Bill_de Loc: US

I'm on jury duty in Delaware for 2 weeks and already sat on one jury to the conclusion of the trial. At no point from the time we walked into the building Monday until we left Tuesday were we asked for any kind of identification. Is that normal in other places?

I could have found a homeless person who wanted to get in out of the cold and offered him the $20/day. We'd both be better off.

--

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

WOW!

Brokenland

True, you're at the beckon call of the courts when you're called in. I was in fear of going to jury duty simply because I haven't a clue what to expect. But when they read the following numbers or a grouping of numbers, mine wasn't selected. Only thing one can hope for is that it's an easy case and not in the public eye.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Bill_de wrote:

I'm on jury duty in Delaware for 2 weeks and already sat on one jury to the conclusion of the trial. At no point from the time we walked into the building Monday until we left Tuesday were we asked for any kind of identification. Is that normal in other places?

I could have found a homeless person who wanted to get in out of the cold and offered him the $20/day. We'd both be better off.

--

Here in Riverside County CA you even have to sign in with ID. And out at the end of the day. If you get called in, most just check daily on line to see if they need to go in or are finished. And if you get called for a trial, you are then done even if the defendant suddenly does a plea and you are turned loose.

I once went 6 years without even having to check on line. I was called for a trial and the prosecutor didn't like it when I said I was a history and government teacher and knew English Common Law including the part about the jury being able to nullify the law due to circumstances in that case. He dismissed me, little did he know he had probably just kicked out the most "law and order" juror in the place. I think he "black listed" me and I didn't get a notice for over 6 years while before it was ever other year, esp after I retired and was available.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Interesting?

Bill_de Loc: US

robertjerl wrote:

Here in Riverside County CA you even have to sign in with ID. And out at the end of the day. If you get called in, most just check daily on line to see if they need to go in or are finished. And if you get called for a trial, you are then done even if the defendant suddenly does a plea and you are turned loose.

NY is the same. If you are seated on a trial it's one and done.

What made me think about the identification was on day two when the bailiff told us to take the same seats. I asked what difference it made since nobody knew for sure who anybody was. When he said he remembered us all from the day before I realized they never knew for sure. I explained that although everybody went through the security scanners nobody asked for identification. His eyes almost popped out of his head.

---

Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

Very strange to not ask for an ID. Here in ultra-liberal Colorado, you check on-line to see if you are requested to attend, then you go to the court house and stand in a long line of potential jurors, then go thru a scanner and show your ID. Once thru the scanners you go to a waiting room where you show your juror request form and wait for you name to be called. The wait can be very long and the folding chairs are brutal on your rear. If you are or not called, your term for the year is completed. I am a native of 72 years and have received a request once, finally last year. I think I am on a "don't request" list due to my past activities with the NSA/CIA/NCS/DIA.

alby Loc: very eastern pa.

only showed id once in each calling. been on 3 juries. one we left go. no good evidence. cop was very old and sight challenged and fell asleep several times. no one wanted to convict.... "not guilty".... after we were dismissed, we found out judge didn't like we found her not guilty and sentenced her anyway. if they call me again i will complain and all but refuse as the judge won't follow decision anyway....... one other was federal, 3 weeks, 70 miles from home. put up in hotel, expenses paid. 36" snow storm literally shut down Philadelphia for 2 days. thank god we didn't lose electricity at home as i could not get home. feds didn't know if he embezzled 4, 40, or 400 million $'s. guilty in 10 minutes. hope i never get called again.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I got lucky this time. I called the county courthouse on Tuesday evening and was told not to report on Wednesday. I called again on Wednesday evening and again was told not to report and that my services to the county had been fulfilled.
The last time I was in the county courthouse was a couple years ago to photograph a wedding. They went through my gear but I don't recall having to sign anything.

Stephan G

robertjerl wrote:

Here in Riverside County CA you even have to sign ... (show quote)

One of the things that will also pop someone out is having been a police officer in the past. Knowledge of the process of law does have its benefits.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I've always had to show ID both in NY and FL!

bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT

But.....isn’t having to show ID racist 👍

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

bgrn wrote:

But.....isn’t having to show ID racist 👍

Only to those who feel it is. In reality, NO! It is only to prove who you are.

dpfoto Loc: Cape Coral, FL

I've been summoned for jury duty several times in the past. Most were just short, minor cases. There was one however, that looked like it would be a long, time consuming case. During the interview, the defense attorney asked, "If you had to vote now, how would you vote?" The answer he wanted would be, "I haven't heard any evidence against your client yet, so I would have to vote 'Not guilty'."

I didn't want to be on that jury, as it would be way too long. So my response was, "My brother was a Deputy Sherriff, and I worked very closely with the police when I was a member f a volunteer fire/rescue dept. So I believe when the Police arrest someone, they have good reason."

I was not selected to be on that jury. By the way, my brother WAS a Deputy Sherriff, and I WAS a volunteer fire/rescue (EMT) member, so I wasn't lying.

Bill_de Loc: US

dpfoto wrote:

I've been summoned for jury duty several times in ... (show quote)

That was another thing I found strange. The only people who the attorneys and judge questioned were those who stood up and said they felt they couldn't serve based on a list of things the judge read. So if you didn't stand up you were considered good to go.

----