NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, on Friday I recieved a letter from the United States District Court. It's the Federal Court in downtown Tampa, FL.

Has anyone here been selected to serve as a Juror in Federal Court? I don't know anyone that has served in a jury in the Federal Court. I do know quite a few people who served for the county.

This is my civic duty. However, I'm kind of concerned because of my job. I work for a small business and they're pretty dependant on me being at work. I'm concerned that this may end up getting drawn out. I'm also concerned about the what if my job decides not to pay me for my time I'm not at work. I cannot live off of the $40/day.

Any insights or advice?

USD40 day? That's still more than I get (AUD180 a fortnight).

Most companies will pay for your time spent on a jury if you're in a full time job.

USD40 day? That's still more than I get (AUD180 a fortnight).

Yep, $40/day. When I told my dad, he was surprised but then it's the Federal Government and not the cheap local government. I think the local is $15/day.

Feign a mental illness or something that'll make you exempt.

Most companies will pay for your time spent on a jury if you're in a full time job.

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for. I know the office manager wants me to try to get out of it but I'll be speaking with the owners today or tomorrow.

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for. I know the office manager wants me to try to get out of it but I'll be speaking with the owners today or tomorrow.

Good luck, but remember that legally they cannot instruct you to do anything, nor can they fire you for serving if you are selected to go to trial.

Good luck, but remember that legally they cannot instruct you to do anything, nor can they fire you for serving if you are selected to go to trial.

That's what my dad told me. That they have much strictor laws regarding that subject, how the employer cannot fire you. I wish they would go further than that to make mandatory pay while a juror. :D That would have made me feel much better about it but as it stands it's completely upto the bosses. I do have good bosses though. I have real good job securities too. I'll have been here for 6 yrs come the end of February. I also know that not just anybody can do my job. They had a hell of time finding someone to be part of the staff since now we're a 24 hr office.

I suppose, since I know the above, If they don't pay me I could threaten to quit. er maybe not threaten to quit but inform them I'm looking for another job. I really think they'll pay me. They have taken pretty could care of me over the years. :)

Feign a mental illness or something that'll make you exempt.

First of all, It's my civic duty. I'd be a major hypocrite if I lied when my country has called on me. Secondly, I wouldn't feel right about lieing. Also, in the letter mailed to me they did state that I could be found in contempt of court and they would have US Marshals come and get me.

Is this summons for grand jury or trial?

I just got back from jury duty (trial) for a state court, but it was for a civil case and I was excused after the voir dire seated 6 people and two alternates, and I was the last one left, so I got to go. That process alone took a day and a half. I was paid by my employer (about 90 employees) and the law about how employers need to pay you was right on the summons.

The letter also mentioned they would pay me for the mileage of going to and from the courthouse. That's a good thing since I have a Fullsize Ford Bronco with a 351 motor 5.7L V-8. The court house is about 35 miles from me one way. They also said they would reimburse me for any tolls I may use, which I might use the Suncoast Parkway. :D

Is this summons for grand jury or trial?

I just got back from jury duty (trial) for a state court, but it was for a civil case and I was excused after the voir dire seated 6 people and two alternates, and I was the last one left, so I got to go. That process alone took a day and a half. I was paid by my employer (about 90 employees) and the law about how employers need to pay you was right on the summons.

I'll double check it. I think it just said to be at the court house on January 2, 2007 at 7:45am. They didn't really give me to much information except I've been selected to be on a jury. They even gave me a Juror #. So, I'm a bit confused. :confused:

Is this summons for grand jury or trial?

I just got back from jury duty (trial) for a state court, but it was for a civil case and I was excused after the voir dire seated 6 people and two alternates, and I was the last one left, so I got to go. That process alone took a day and a half. I was paid by my employer (about 90 employees) and the law about how employers need to pay you was right on the summons.

I'm looking at the paper now. Top right in large bold letters says, "SUMMONS FOR JURY SERVICE" and then about the middle it says. "THE COURT SUMMONS YOU TO APPEAR FOR JURY DUTY BEGINNING ON THE DATE, TIME, AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW"

I don't know if it's for the grand jury or trial. The letter says I am now on-call for 30 days from the date of January 2, 2007. They don't give me any details or nothing. Which is probably a good thing, so that I can't discuss it with anybody.

I'll double check it. I think it just said to be at the court house on January 2, 2007 at 7:45am. They didn't really give me to much information except I've been selected to be on a jury. They even gave me a Juror #. So, I'm a bit confused. :confused:

Take a look online for juror info for the court system you've been called to. My experience was this for trial courts: (and I've done this a few times -- I seem to be on the "call her as soon as she's eligible list") You show up and they give you a questionnaire with your juror number on it. Basic info -- where you live, what kind of work you do, what is your experience with the criminal justice system, either as an accussed, a witness, a victim, all that sort of thing, do you or someone close to you work for the government or in the legal system. Not that any of that info gets you off the jury, but it helps the attorney's direct questions to you in voir dire.

I sat for a while watching the orientation video and listening to the commissioner of jurors talk about why jury duty is important, how they know that none of us really wanted to be there, but it's our duty, can be interesting, blah blah blah... they go over the payment and your employer thing, too. In the meantime, they're running around doing god only know what with all the paperwork and questionnaires, and are getting calls from the various courts for jury pools.

Then groups of jurors get called by your juror number. There were two criminal trials they called for first. Big local trials, and they called nearly 100 people for each of those. They called people in numeric order. ("Jurors 1-30, 32-48, 50-67" you get the idea.) Then I was called for the civil trial.

Once we were called, we were escorted to the court room. The judge came out and made a statement, the attorneys for each side made an opening statement, and then they seated 12 people in the jury box for the voir dire, where they ask you questions to see if you might be biased for either side in the case. If they excuse you, they don't tell you why. In my experience, the voir dire was in front of the court, and they accept you in the order you have been called up. If someone gets excused, everyone else moves up a seat. (In my mother's experience in Connecticut, it was just her and the attorneys.)

But that's for trial courts -- I know someone who served on a federal grand jury and it was once a week for a year or some incredible amount of time. That was a long time ago though, so that time committment might have changed. They were the ones who indicted people -- they didn't find guilt or innocence.

There must be a website or something listed on your summons. Take a look -- there's probably a lot of info on the process online

It is both interesting, and it is a pain in the neck from a personal and work standpoint.

you can't live off $40/day?! how much do you eat?!

I wouldn't worry about it, if I were you. Your chances of being selected is low. They generally want about 30 people to show, and then randomly pick ppl until the 12 jury spots are filled.

One place I worked at, someone got picked and got onto the jury. It was a rape trial and he was gone for 2 weeks.
What the business did was take jury $ he was given for that time and they paid him his full salary. Apparently you can do that (at least in NZ).

And of course, even if they do call your name, either side's lawyers can challenge you as you go up. So you could either yell out, "Woohoo!" or "D'oh!" when your name's called.
Another tactic would be to give the accused the thumbs up as you walk past or ask the judge which one's the guilty party.
Dress provocatively as well: wear a mini-skirt.

you can't live off $40/day?! how much do you eat?!


true, but consider that if you're a single parent, for example, that $40 a day might not be enough to pay for a babysitter to watch your kids. they didn't reimburse us for parking costs either. since i was paid by my employer, it wasn't an issue for me, but for a low income person who might need to make alternate arrangements for transportation, child care, and the like, it might not cover the expense of doing your civic duty.

you can't live off $40/day?! how much do you eat?!

I need $75 a day, at minimum...

Mortgage: $45
Utilities ($4471 for 2005/365 days): $12
Food: $15
Fuel: $3

My uncle was in the jury in some white-collar-crime lawsuit which took forever... however that was in Germany not in the US.

I loved my Jury Duty experience. I even got the judge, bailiff, and both attorneys to autograph my pocket constitution.

I agree that it's a civic duty, and that you shouldn't punk out. Seeing as it's federal, and not county (which I believe that you said you had done before), it might even be a bit different of an experience.

Of course, the chances of making it past the voir dire are pretty slim, unless they have a plethora of trials going on. But just in case, for whatever reason, you decide you can't go, remember the two magic words that are almost certain to get you out of jury duty....'jury nullification'. I doubt that you'll have to (or even want to) go there, but just in case...

Korarchaeota , Thank you. Very good insight on your experiences. I will check out the website. They list it on the paper they sent me. I may not have to appear on Jan. 2nd, I'll know for sure when I call the recorded messege at the end of December for instructions. I do know I'll be on-call for 30 days from Jan. 2nd.

I think that if they excuse me, it'll just put me back into the hat per say, but if I'm selected I think it'll keep out of the hat per say for awhile.

I also know that they used to select random people through their voter registration but now I think they use the Drivers Licenses.

I know that they use driver's licenses, voting lists *and* state income tax lists here in Connecticut...

you can't live off $40/day?! how much do you eat?!

It's more than just food. I have my truck insurance (Full Coverage) payments, cable, rent, water, zephyrhills water, trash, cellphone bill, groceries, personal items, dog food (2 dogs=top of the line dog food=$$$), Christmas coming up, gas for the truck, cigarettes, etc.... All adds up awfully fast.

true, but consider that if you're a single parent, for example, that $40 a day might not be enough to pay for a babysitter to watch your kids. they didn't reimburse us for parking costs either. since i was paid by my employer, it wasn't an issue for me, but for a low income person who might need to make alternate arrangements for transportation, child care, and the like, it might not cover the expense of doing your civic duty.

Fortunately, I'm single, however, I do have 2 dogs which I consider my kids. I have roomates who can let them outside. I won't be staying the night I only live about 35 miles North of the Court house and they'll give me a mileage allowance which'll help with the gas.

I loved my Jury Duty experience. I even got the judge, bailiff, and both attorneys to autograph my pocket constitution.

I agree that it's a civic duty, and that you shouldn't punk out. Seeing as it's federal, and not county (which I believe that you said you had done before), it might even be a bit different of an experience.

Of course, the chances of making it past the voir dire are pretty slim, unless they have a plethora of trials going on. But just in case, for whatever reason, you decide you can't go, remember the two magic words that are almost certain to get you out of jury duty....'jury nullification'. I doubt that you'll have to (or even want to) go there, but just in case...

Nope, I have never served or been selected on any jury. What I had said was, I know some people who served on juries for the state and county but never Federal.

It is my civic duty, I don't foresee me punking out because I'm not like the 50% of the population who don't take advantages of doing their civic duty (Voting, Jury Duty, etc...) and then they bicker about the country (In my opinion, they're idiots) I take my civic duties very seriously and in doing so, I have every right to bicker about the country in a legitimate manner. :D

I'm not like the 50% of the population who don't take advantages of doing their civic duty (Voting, Jury Duty, etc...) and then they bicker about the country (In my opinion, they're idiots) I take my civic duties very seriously and in doing so, I have every right to bicker about the country in a legitimate manner. :D

Kudos to You !! :D

Yep, people lose all rights to bitch about the problem when they wouldn't get off their fat asses to begin with...

Best of Luck to ya...keep us posted.:)

"What excuse are you planning to use?"
"I'm happy to serve. It's my civic responsibility."
"... Insanity. Good one."
:D

Whenever I see this thread I keep thinking of Call of Duty...

yeah i was on federal jury duty about 25 years ago. the term was about 3 months, i went one day, didnt get on the jury and was never called again, after a while they sent me a letter saying that the jury pool was released.

talk to your employer. talk to the court. if they think you have a hardship, they will release you. start the process tomorrow. there will be paperwork to fill out.

yeah i was on federal jury duty about 25 years ago. the term was about 3 months, i went one day, didnt get on the jury and was never called again, after a while they sent me a letter saying that the jury pool was released.

talk to your employer. talk to the court. if they think you have a hardship, they will release you. start the process tomorrow. there will be paperwork to fill out.

Thanks, I'm gonna go to my bosses house after I get out of work today. I would like to serve not only because of the fact being it's my civic duty but I think it could be very boring at points but also very interesting, too.

I feel my job is very important too. I'm in the business of marine rescue and towing. I help out the local recreation boaters and listen up for them over a highsight radio. (Radio checks, Float Plans, Local Knowledge, listen for distress calls, dispatch Captains to disabled recreation boaters, erc...) I man the land station and with it being a small business we have exactly enough people to operate it on a 24 hour basis. One of the many reasons they like me is because I'm never sick, very dependable, and my voice is very clear and unique over the air waves. I joke about being the mouth of the south. They can hear me from all over Florida, to the shrimpers offshore of TX and LA. and sometimes all the way to the Bahamas. It's a pretty cool job but is pretty important since I do have the capabilities of saving lives and to help out the coast guard.

I cannot live off of the $40/day.

$40 is more than you'd net (you'd gross a whole $41.2) working an 8 hour day at minimum wage.

I was called up for jury duty once, but I was in the Army stationed in Germany, so they excused me.

$40 is more than you'd net (you'd gross a whole $41.2) working an 8 hour day at minimum wage.

I was called up for jury duty once, but I was in the Army stationed in Germany, so they excused me.

I'm not sure how you figured it's more than I net. I don't like to discuss my payscale but it is quite a bit more than that $40. I live a mostly comfortable life around my pay. I am living paycheck by paycheck mainly because I suck at budgetting my money and I choose to live comfortably and sometimes better than I should be until it catches up with me then I have to make certain cut backs. Those unexpected expenditures don't help any either.

I make a reasonable amount more than the minimum wage. To be honest, I'm not sure what minimum wage is right now. Last I knew it was at $5.15 and I know they have been talking about raising it.

I'm not sure how you figured it's more than I net. I don't like to discuss my payscale but it is quite a bit more than that $40. I live a mostly comfortable life around my pay. I am living paycheck by paycheck mainly because I suck at budgetting my money and I choose to live comfortably and sometimes better than I should be until it catches up with me then I have to make certain cut backs. Those unexpected expenditures don't help any either.

I make a reasonable amount more than the minimum wage. To be honest, I'm not sure what minimum wage is right now. Last I knew it was at $5.15 and I know they have been talking about raising it.

I didn't say it was more than you net, I'm saying it's more than the Federal minimum wage, which is $5.15. In other words, don't feel too bad because you could be making minimum wage.

I didn't say it was more than you net, I'm saying it's more than the Federal minimum wage, which is $5.15. In other words, don't feel too bad because you could be making minimum wage.

I suppose you're right. To think positive, it could be worse because I think the county and state pay about half of what the Feds pay you. It still will hurt if my boss doesn't pay me. I'll feel better, after I discuss this with them. I'm sure they'll pay me but it is still one of my concerns.

I suppose you're right. To think positive, it could be worse because I think the county and state pay about half of what the Feds pay you. It still will hurt if my boss doesn't pay me. I'll feel better, after I discuss this with them. I'm sure they'll pay me but it is still one of my concerns.

Understandably so. As much as you don't want to, you may be able to ask the court to defer you if your employer won't continue to pay you. I know that when my ideals and my checkbook collide the checkbook almost always wins.

I'm also concerned about the what if my job decides not to pay me for my time I'm not at work. I cannot live off of the $40/day.

That doesn't sound like much. How many hours do you work?

If you're working for the government, you can guarantee that they will pay you.

That doesn't sound like much. How many hours do you work?

If you're working for the government, you can guarantee that they will pay you.

I work 40 hrs/wk which gives my pay a lot more than that measly $40/day that the Feds will pay me.

I did read that all Government employees with the exception of postal workers will be paid fully from their jobs instead of the $40/day. I work for a private small business.