Jury duty

[Gob]

MORE than 93 per cent of people called up for jury duty last financial year were excused or never selected, although not everyone trying to escape their civic duty was successful.

Among the more interesting excuses rejected by sheriff's officers last financial year were: ''I cannot attend because my astrologer said the planets are aligned and it would effect my aura'' and ''I'm racist and can't attend as I hate everyone''.

While the number of people summoned for jury service increased last year, fewer were sworn in to serve, possibly because of a number of lengthy trials.

More than 116,000 people in NSW were summoned last financial year compared with 113,000 the year before, but only 6.4 per cent of them (or 7500) ended up serving - down from 8 per cent the year before.

The vast majority of jurors - 75,000 last year, according to the Attorney-General's Department - are excused before the court date.

A spokesman for the department said a large number of potential jurors were summoned for trials that were lengthy or involved multiple defendants.

He said 3000 potential jurors were summoned for a trial relating to a fatal brawl, while 700 people were summoned for the trial of former Crime Commission investigator Mark Standen, which lasted six months. Another long trial was the 11-month terrorism trial in 2009.

While long trials or unhappy juries often receive publicity, the spokesman said the average trial lasted only seven working days.

A recent increase in juror pay, to $230 a day after the 10th day for employed jurors, is expected to reduce the financial pressure on jurors during lengthy trials.

Employers are obliged to pay jurors their normal wage for the first 10 days.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/thousands-cal ... z1Z5z8LPzq

I've always fancied being on the jury, but only in an interesting case.

[Scooter]

It's actually pretty disgraceful.

Paying potential jurors better from the first day would probably provide a fair incentive against avoiding service. But unless someone is close to being on their deathbed, no other excuse should be accepted.

[Crackpot]

I've only been called once which I avoided by being both a fill time student and working full time (co-op). In hindsight I regret skirting my duty (I wasn't as civic minded back then) But I haven't been called since.

[BoSoxGal]

Our judges here in my jurisdiction only excuse for cause (knowledge of and/or bias for/against a party in the case), disability, or a hardship like a long-planned vacation with tickets already purchased.

Given the size of the jury pools mentioned in the OP, judges in Oz must be much more willing to excuse potential jurors for any number of reasons.

[rubato]

I LOOOVE jury duty.

My employer pays my full salary. I don't have to commute. I get a great lunch here in town. And I get to meet some nice people as fellow jurors.

Sign me up again!

yrs,
rubato

[dales]

I was selected as a juror on a double homicide case here in CoCoCo.

I arrived late the second day of the trial and the judge threw me out.

I hope they never call me again, having to be there at 8am sharp is a bit too much.

[Guinevere]

Believe me Dales, if you can't be there on time, I don't want you on my jury.

In MA you get one free shot at rescheduling, then you must appear and be a member of the pool, unless you hear the business day before that they won't need you. Criminal cases get the pool first, then civil cases, in varying orders of priority. The judge does the voire dire, and will take suggestions from the attorneys, depending on the judge. Real conflicts, child care issues, and financial hardships are the reasons I've seen judges excuse jurors.

I still want very much to be called and seated, but it appears the system lost my name somehow.

[dales]

Believe me Dales, if you can't be there on time, I don't want you on my jury.

And I got out of it and got paid a whopping $30 for two days.

[loCAtek]

Oh great, I was supposed to be there on the 6th?

Totally forgot- wot happens now?

[BoSoxGal]

You appear before the Court to answer for your Contempt. You should get a summons as some point.

[quaddriver]

Totally forgot- wot happens now?

Lesbian prison.

[dales]

Oh great, I was supposed to be there on the 6th?

Totally forgot- wot happens now?

Depends on the county.

With the CA courts being in such a financial fustercluck, I would imagine next to nothing.

Give 'em a call from a payphone.

[Guinevere]

Such fine examples of civic responsibility and pride.

Loca, you are technically in contempt of court. Whether the system will bother going after you because of it, I have no idea, but the least you could do would be to call the number and ask to reschedule your duty.

[dales]

We all try our best, don't we!

[kristina]

On my most recent go-round, I completely spaced out on calling in one evening, and called the daytime number the next day. They just told me to keep checking in until otherwise instructed. I did get a call to appear , but didn't get selected.

[Sue U]

Sheesh, I get called pretty regularly for jury duty but haven't sat a trial yet.

I was just on notice for jury duty in the last week of August, but of course when I called the juror reporting line the day before they had no need for jurors that week. Well DUH! Everyone knows that nobody's gonna try a case in the last week of August!

I was called two years ago and was "in the box" for voir dire on a child sex assault case. I had to be excused because of conflicts with my own work (I had to be out of town taking depositions that couldn't wait, since my client was dying).

A few years back I got called and was sent out for a civil case in front of a judge that handled a lot of my cases. Judge looked at me and said, "Counselor, what are you even doing here?" "Just my civic duty, Your Honor." "Do I have to ask if you know any of the litigants or anyone in the courtroom?" "Oh, pretty much all the lawyers and of course you and your staff." "Get the hell out of here and don't come back til the next motion day."

[loCAtek]

Such fine examples of civic responsibility and pride.

Well, I could be responsible, or I could just earn enough at my regular job to eke out a living. Hmmm, tough call, and pride don't pay the rent.

Remember, I'm so poor, I scrounge zip-ties? Proud, I ain't.

I'll probably call and claim hardship.

[Guinevere]

The point being you were supposed to ask for hardship relief from the court, not just fail to appear. Whether you are excused or not is up to the judge, not you.

[dales]

Oh, oh

[Sean]

The point being you were supposed to ask for hardship relief from the court, not just fail to appear. Whether you are excused or not is up to the judge, not you.

I can't swear to the veracity of this one but...

In many states, it is possible to demonstrate that you are unable to serve on a jury for financial reasons. Proof of employment and/or wages, in addition to comprehensive financial statements and the previous year's taxes should all be brought to court with you on the first day you report to jury duty. If you can persuade the judge that it is unfeasible for you to miss work, you will have lost only one day of your time. Lying here would be inadvisable.
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Out-of-Jury-Duty

Any of our legal eagles able to confirm or refute?