Jury Duty

[Daniel]

Have you done it? And if so, what was it like?

As I write, I am sitting in a court house in lower Manhattan. It's my second day of jury duty (and yes- they have internet access!) They call on me every 4 years. I've sat on two cases so far- a murder case and a vehicle accident case. The murder case involved two 16 year old 'men' who settled an argument with newly purchased guns. That was something. I was the first alternate and didn't have to decide the case. It took the jury a week- sequestered- to do so.

The vehicle accident case only lasted two days, and while I thought the case was iffy at best, we decided in favor of the plaintiff. The prosecution didn't have, or present, much of a case. That taught me - in 3D- that getting a good lawyer can make a huge difference. But no matter what one thinks, one decides the matter on the basis of the evidence and the judge's 'charge' to the jury. That's interesting stuff too. He/she tells you what you can and can't think about.

Yesterday, I was interviewed for another murder case, and wasn't able to do it because my work schedule conflicts with the dates of the trial (the advantages of not having a 9-5 job?).

Since there are a lot of cases here, one sees all sorts of people. I've done jury duty with recognizable personalities- no one 'gets off' here. To do that, one has to prove their case to a judge. And that's a mighty steep climb.

Oh...guess who's serving with me? Pete Hamill.

http://www.petehamill.com/

Lunch hour takes everyone to either Chinatown or Little Italy. They're right around the corner.

Years ago, when I first came, the ordeal lasted two weeks. It was sheer hell. Now they've streamlined the process to about three days. Meanwhile. I'm here!

[dsdrane]

OMG...they called me every four years like clockwork in Manhattan! And, yes, it's scads better now than it was years ago.

Never saw any personalities/celebs, though.

While I was a-ok with "doing my civic duty", I was never comfortable with being confined with a group of people I hadn't been forced into the company of since grade school. That sounds horribly snooty, and it is. I'll own it.

Most times, I was able to complete my services without even being called. I was only interviewed twice and only picked for a case once. It was a civil case that eventually settled before the trial ever began.

I do like how NYC no longer gives anyone a pass anymore. You're allowed one time to reschedule within 6 months...that's it. Much fairer.

Daniel...there's a fabulous Vietnamese hole-in-the-wall on (the east side of) Baxter Street just north of Columbus Park:

Nha Trang ($$)
87 Baxter Street
Btwn Bayard & Walker St

There's also a great Thai place at the NE corner of Bayard and Baxter.:cool:

[Daniel]

Daniel...there's a fabulous Vietnamese hole-in-the-wall on (the east side of) Baxter Street just north of Columbus Park:

Nha Trang ($$)
87 Baxter Street
Btwn Bayard & Walker St

There's also a great Thai place at the NE corner of Bayard and Baxter.:cool:

Now I know where I'm going to lunch! :cool: Yesterday, I went to some dive in Chinatown and it wasn't so great. Though I do like the 'House of Vegetarian' on Mott Street.

Since I posted, I've been transferred to another room, another floor (from 11 to 3) and am waiting for attorneys to arrive.

What you mentioned about cases settling out of court is very common from what I understand. That happened yesterday in fact. A bunch of us were sent to another building, and when we got there, we were told that the case was settled. Makes sense actually. Trials aren't cheap for anyone.

One does feel confined. That's for sure. One is told when and where one can go. Where to sit, when to take a break etc. I can see why it could get to ya after awhile. And I'm glad I remembered to bring a sweater with me: it's 85 degrees outside and freezing in here! :lol:

[dsdrane]

Is House of Vegetarian the one right at the curve of Mott?? South side of the street?

Ex No.1 and I used to frequent places like that all the time. (I was ovo-lacto at the time, and he was full on.) There was one waiter in particular who the nicest guy...we'd go just to see him.

Misty, water-colored memories....

[dsdrane]

Misty, water-colored memories....

Oh, crap!

Now I have that damn song in my head.

(Barbra...you put a hex on me!)

[Daniel]

Eight of us are sitting in a room which looks like it is straight of Law and Order, waiting for the judge to swear us in and tell us the 'deal', that is, when we have to show up to hear the civil case we've been chosen for. Should take about a week- or so I hear. It better not be longer than that! It looks like I'll be missing a week of rehearsal at the opera (I can't remember anyone ever being 'missing-in-action' during the rehearsal period).

Vocal rest! :D

This means I'll have to bust my butt to memorize music others have under their belt. But hey- I'm a quick study.

Two men and six women. And I'm the only queer guy. I've already gotten to know a fellow juror who works in decorative arts- and two others work at magazines. The other guy is a lawyer. Everyone here is busy busy busy. This should be interesting.

Looks like I'll be doing more lunches in this part of town!

[Daniel]

Is House of Vegetarian the one right at the curve of Mott?? South side of the street?

Nope. On the North side of the street, about 5 or 6 doors south of Canal Street. Narrow place. Green awning.

There used to be a great antique place on Mott Street, but I noticed that it's gone now. Fooey!

~

Hubby and I once happened- I don't know how- to be in Chinatown during the New Year celebration. The racket from all the fircrackers was deafening- and wonderful. The street was piled high in ashes. It was great!

[BrentRichards]

Oddly, though I know so many people who have been called every few years, I have NEVER yet been called for jury duty.

Not that I'm jealous. Around here, it would probably be a cow-tipping case or something thrilling like that.

[dsdrane]

Nope. On the North side of the street, about 5 or 6 doors south of Canal Street. Narrow place. Green awning.

There used to be a great antique place on Mott Street, but I noticed that it's gone now. Fooey!

~

Hubby and I once happened- I don't know how- to be in Chinatown during the New Year celebration. The racket from all the fircrackers was deafening- and wonderful. The street was piled high in ashes. It was great!

Yes, I've been blessed to witness said revelry...I especially like the big dragon!

There's another great vegetarian hole-in-the-wall right off of Mott on the north side of Pell before you get to Doyers...I think they have a green awning, too...or maybe red...hmmmmm.:confused:

Anyway, super duper tasty!

[keltic63]

Oddly, though I know so many people who have been called every few years, I have NEVER yet been called for jury duty.

Not that I'm jealous. Around here, it would probably be a cow-tipping case or something thrilling like that.

I have often had to fill out the form and mail it in. It basically says that my name is in the pool for some period of time (a year???) and that I could be called. The form just asks for confirmation of address etc. I complete the form, mail it in, but have never been asked to show up. Not complaining, but I am recognizing that our system isn't exactly fair. There is always talk about how people can get out of duty around here.

[BrentRichards]

Well, getting out of jury duty is easy. Just sit there with a wild look in your eyes, and answer every question the lawyers ask with "Fry 'em! Fry 'em now!"

I'm thinking they'll dismiss you.

[tdogg]

I only made it to the questioning phase once - figured with all my connections to law enforcement there would be no way the defense would want me on the jury. Wrong. No problems, I was picked. Found it much more interesting and postive than I anticipated. Short trial, 2.5 days and verdict was reached.

The jury duty thing has been revamped just about everywhere in No. Cal. It's much more friendly, may not necessary have to go in, or just go in for the day and you are either on a jury or excused til the next time. used to be, sit around for a week every day and never get picked, up to 2 weeks.

[Progo35]

One time my mom had jury duty and wrote on her form that she was a conservative Christian. She got weeded out right away. :D

I had to do jury duty two years ago. It had to do with a case where a psychiatrist was being sued because her patient committed suicide. I wasn't picked to be on the case, so I don't know how it turned out, but that is definitely heavy stuff.

I don't know what I would do if I had to be on a jury where the death penalty was involved. That goes against my beliefs. But, I guess that if I said that, they wouldn't pick me.

[pnggrad79]

I have been called like 3 times for jury duty. The first one was for a grandfather accused of sexually molesting his 2 yo granddaughter. When they came around asking my opinion of child molesters, I said, "Well, personally, I like the Atchafalaya swamp method. Tie them to a stump in the middle of the swamp and let the alligators and mosquitoes take care of them." I was promptly dismissed.

The other time, this guy, a Mexico native, was a teacher in my district, and was accused by 6 first graders of sexual misconduct. My thought was this-if he is not a US citizen, is he still subject to our laws, even though he can't vote? Apparently so. I wasn't chosen because I told them I was a teacher and saw everyday the horrible effects of child abuse. Anyway, the next fall, I had this guy's son in my class. Wierd!!! I had him switched out because I didn't know how weird I would feel having sat in a courtroom with this guy for a whole day. I didn't know if I could handle dealing with this guy all year. The trial ended up a hung jury.

I can't remember the third one. Oh well, must have not been very important.

[u-dog]

I get called every four or five years (last time was about 2 years ago) I sit around. I get questioned. I get dismissed as soon as they find out what I do for a living.

If the prosecutor doesn't toss us out the defense attorney does. The prosecutor assumes we will be too forgiving and the Defense attorney assumes we will be too judgemental. And both of them think we will be too smart to be manipulated by them.

So... I would love to serve and do my civic duty but instead I just have to waste my time every four or five years.:mad:

[Daniel]

After a week of testimony, lawyer talk, the charge from the judge and 19 hours of deliberations, we reached a verdict today.

I'm pretty wiped out. Didn't sleep a wink last night and still can't stop thinking about the experience and the case itself. It was civil- not criminal. And we decided for the plaintiff.

Oh yeah......I start work tomorrow. Missed two days actually, so I've got some catching up to do.

If I'm not here as much as usual, you'll know why.

My love to everyone.

:love:

[u-dog]

Thanks for your service to the common good, Daniel. The system doesn't work without people willingly giving of their time and energy. I for one appreciate your shouldering your responsibility on behalf of the rest of us!! :applause::award::applause:

[Daniel]

Thanks for your service to the common good, Daniel. The system doesn't work without people willingly giving of their time and energy. I for one appreciate your shouldering your responsibility on behalf of the rest of us!! :applause::award::applause:

Thanks for the applause!

Know what was funny?

My last day of jury duty was the first day of jury duty for my husband. He was down the street in another building. And during deliberations, my cellphone went off. And dummy that I am I reached for it and heard Hubby say: "Can you go to lunch?' Me: 'Sorry honey...we're deliberating right now!" The bailiff heard my phone go off and popped her head in the door: "You can't talk on the phone while you're in this room! If you want to use the phone you must ask the judge!" Me: "Bye dear!" The rest of my fellow jurors were laughing there heads off.

Hubby had two days of long lunches and went home early and got excused the second afternoon. :rolleyes:

You know, civlc duty and all, it was a very intense experience. We spent 15 hours figuring out what 'negligence' meant as regards the judges charge and how it applied to the case at hand. (The devil is in the details.) After we did that, everything fell into place.

And since this was a civil case, we then had to figure out if, and how much, compensation the plaintiff was entitled to. That took some doing too.

Bottom line for me: when you have someone's life in your hands, you better pay attention to what is going on!

Know what? Three of my fellow jurors live in my neighborhood and we've bonded. Become friends. Who would have thought?