Jury Duty

[BrokenolMarine]

Got an email this afternoon.

"You are to report to Federal Jury Duty, Monday, Nov 1, 2021 at 8am at the Eastern District Court in Muskogee, OK."


I called and chatted with the nice girl, got her recommendations on two of the hotels from the list of ten in the area, and called and made reservations for the Sunday night prior. I am reporting for the Jury Pool to be screened for Jury Duty. If not selected, I will return home Monday Afternoon... If selected, I would remain to serve on the Jury to which I'm appointed, Civil or Criminal. I should pack for three days. I asked how likely it is that I would be selected, retiring from three decades in LE. She said I have a shot at Civil, but it's unlikely I'll see service on a criminal trial. I asked if I was eligible for Criminal, and she said, "Certainly," and laughed.

I can extend my hotel reservations for the room if chosen and am getting the federal rate since it's federal court. The courts reimburse for hotel, or a portion of that, I also get mileage to and from my home and meals and lodging, plus a small amount of per diem. Meh, if I'm chosen, I'm hoping the case is interesting. I am not hopeful I'll be chosen, former Law Enforcement Personnel are usually booted by one side or the other. I could also have opted out for medical, but I didn't want to dodge it, I'll serve if chosen. I doubt Grumpy will be seated.

We will see what happens.

[markiver54]

Be sure to let us know how it goes!

[Shakey Jake]

I got permanently out of jury duty service because of being a "caregiver of someone with a disability".
Jake

[cooperhawk]

I've served three time, was the foreman once and got dismissed twice.
Just got a summons again and they excused me due to age. Over 70 you do not have to serve. I'm 81.
It was interesting but the travel into downtown Minneapolis did not interest me these days.

[BrokenolMarine]

I got permanently out of jury duty service because of being a "caregiver of someone with a disability".
Jake

I could get a note from my doc due to my physical disabilities and pain levels.
I just wanted to do what I have to do. TINA could get out because she couldn't be gone for four or five days, leaving me alone here as she is MY caregiver. She can't leave the stock unattended either. I can't really handle the feeding and cleaning and the like on my bad days, and we don't know when they will occur. If I am selected and the trial runs long, she will probably drive up and spend a night to check up on me, or my daughter will.

[RanchRoper]

Yup done it twice, back in the '90's...

[Ernie]

I was called and served last year. I was so frustrated because of my very poor hearing that I decided I should not do it again. Even with my new hearing aids I could not understand everything being spoken and had to request some transcripts to understand the testimony.

[BrokenolMarine]

I was called and served last year. I was so frustrated because of my very poor hearing that I decided I should not do it again. Even with my new hearing aids I could not understand everything being spoken and had to request some transcripts to understand the testimony.

Thanks for the post Ernie, I'll need to remember to TAKE mine, and the batteries and associated supplies to keep them working.
I don't wear them often because of the feedback when there are loud noises.

[BrokenolMarine]

Went up Sunday afternoon, checked into a Hampton Inn. Then reconned the area and found the Courthouse and the parking for gimpy old Marines and the Ramp entrance. Refilled the truck gas tank, picked up dinner, and got in out of the weather.

Up at five. At the courthouse by seven to get parked. In and settled by 730. We were being processed by 9, after initial paperwork and briefing. They called 38 for the pool, seated 28 for initial screening to put 14 in the box. I was in the initial 28. Screening went smooth until the defense attorney asked me a direct question about my time with State Police. I knew I was headed home.

Sure enough, my name was in the first ten dismissed.
In fact, most of the conservatives I met in the pool were gone in the first ten.
Nice drive up thru the Oklahoma Countryside, a peek at our Federal Jury System.
The case was on of the many the State is retrying due to the Supreme court decision regarding Native Americans and jurisdiction.

[Vaquero]

Only called on once, back 25+ years ago.
Had just had surgery to repair a busted hand a couple days before.
Judge let me slide and I've never been called up again.

RP

[RanchRoper]

Only called on once, back 25+ years ago.
Had just had surgery to repair a busted hand a couple days before.
Judge let me slide and I've never been called up again.

RP

They probably found out how you busted your hand....

[BrokenolMarine]

Only called on once, back 25+ years ago.
Had just had surgery to repair a busted hand a couple days before.
Judge let me slide and I've never been called up again.

RP

I don't think stupidity is a disqualification.



But, according to Miss Tina, it wouldn't be the first time, (nor the last,) I'd be wrong.

[Vaquero]

Only called on once, back 25+ years ago.
Had just had surgery to repair a busted hand a couple days before.
Judge let me slide and I've never been called up again.

RP

I don't think stupidity is a disqualification.



But, according to Miss Tina, it wouldn't be the first time, (nor the last,) I'd be wrong.

Hit the nail on the head there Marine...
I fibbed a little and said it bothered me a little more than it actually did.

RP

[markiver54]

Havent been called upon in years. OK by me.

[BrokenolMarine]

Yup, it's funny, I was in the wheelchair, my left hand in the brace recovering from the nerve damage from surgery, taking narcotics for pain as needed and could have asked to be excused, but didn't as so many did. I had spent years barred from Jury Service, and wanted to do my part, if chosen.

They are having to retry a huge number of State cases in Federal Court due to a Supreme Court ruling over jurisdiction of Native American cases. So we may rotate thru several times during our ninety days on call.

[Vaquero]

Well, I wore a younger mans close in those days, was single, with a healthy monthly child support payment.
Already missed a bit of work, and no insurance, so there's this major expense coming also.
I needed to be Working, instead of sitting in the courtroom for $8 a day.

Now if for some reason I was to get called up now, I'd gladly do it.
Especially with the Cold coming on, I'd much rather sit in the warm CR, than working out in the cold.

And like Mark said, I'm alright with them not.

RP

[gpraceman]

I went a couple of times and sat around for hours until they dismissed me. The third time, I actually sat on a jury. Someone had barricaded themself into a home, with police all around and this guy in a Plymouth Prowler decides he wants to check out what's going on. He got stopped after he did not comply with an officer trying to turn him around. Then he proceeded to not give his driver's license, got belligerent and ended up getting hauled out of the car and arrested. He claimed the cops were unjustified in the arrest and were overly aggressive. The car was brought to the courthouse for us to look at. The guy claimed that his visibility from in the car was part of his compliance issue. I forget the full details on that, as this was about 20 years ago. It was a unanimous verdict that the dude was full of it. Hadn't been called since.

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

I served on two juries about 25 years ago. I think it important that if called you serve.

Case 1 - a mid/late 20 something goes to a frat party gets totally wasted walks home but enroute passes out in somebody's yard police are called. They go to arrest him and when they go to put cuffs on him he goes berserk - fighting like mad and actually bites an officer on the shoulder. Got to see pics an all. I don't recall all the charges but we the jury found him innocent of the most serious ones assault resisting arrest I think it was - guilty of some lesser ones. Why you ask - well turns out the guy had a fused wrist - bone grafted on wrist an part of hand. His wrist could not bend without extreme pain an the officers were trying to bend it to get cuffs on. Anybody would fight like he!! Under those circumstances. Maybe the police should learn to use some judgement instead of just protocol. He was cooperative up until they tried to cuff him.

Case 2 - Grandpa in grade school program. Grandpa accused of molesting kids on playground. Some trial - kids with teddy bears testifying an all. Couple kids parents had kids that said they were molested. Kids loved this grandpa commonly on his lap.This was on a playground with other kids an teachers present as potential witnesses. All this a couple days after a presentation to grade school about inappropriate behaviour touching etc. He was never alone with kids or a kid. The police searched his place and found a years old guide to nude beaches of the world which guess what had pictures of nude people families even on nude beaches. He had no record. He had no porn of any kind. In the jury room the foreman asked well does anybody here think he is not guilty? I'm thinking this is crazy am I gonna be the only one saying no way he is guilty? The whole atmosphere was such a gloomy downer. Anyway the foreman said we better go round the table and each one indicate guilty or not guilty. After the first eight said guilty this little old lady with gray hair said this is the stupidest thing I ever heard no way is there proof of guilt.- this is ridiculous. I could have kissed her - thank God there are people with courage who don't go along to get along. If she had not done that I would have had to. Of the two people after me one said guilty the other said not. Then the discussion started and we did find him not guilty. Of course his life was pretty well ruined and the school did cancel the grandpa in school program. Sensitization an overly zealous parents. Pretty sad situation. I think the kids lose out. Parallels some issues in society today I think.

Anyway I was called once an those were the two juries I was on- never had a chance to serve again. I think it ones duty to serve - every defendant has a right to a fair trial with juries who actually think and aren't afraid to stand up for what is right.

-Ed-

[BrokenolMarine]

One of my longtime friends was called to serve, went in and sat thru voir doir, then was appointed as an alternate. The alters had to sit thru the entire trial and deliberations, but could not comment, or have any input, even facial expressions or reactions (body language) to statements or other actions of the jurors during deliberations. They were warned if they did so the judge could find THEM in contempt or charge them with obstruction.

My guy sat thru the trial, and all parties involved made it clear the case was weak. The judge told them they had to find the evidence proved beyond reasonable doubt... The officer testified he wasn't sure, the prosecutor testified the case wasn't sure, but after two days of deliberations, including half a day discussing (arguing over) evidence the defense objected to and the judge told the jury was improper and they should ignore, the foreman brought the holdouts around, and found the defendant guilty.

My guy kept his cool, but wrote the judge afterward about how they violated this guys rights six ways to Sunday. The guy won his appeal, but it cost him years of his life lost to stress and a boatload of money.

My guy? The judge recommended him for a civilian slot on a judicial review panel. He met every now and then for a year with a twelve member group to review certain cases. He enjoyed that.

[BrokenolMarine]

BOOM.... lightening strikes twice

The mail came yesterday and there was a letter in the box from the Jury Coordinator of the Eastern District Court of Oklahoma... Guess Who Was Selected (Invited, Ordered) to appear on Monday, December 27th for a Jury Pool? Yup. Not that I mind all that much, but what chaps my nether regions is that THIS time it's in the Western District Court due to the high volume of cases. THAT is in Oklahoma City. The court is right downtown. Parking is at a premium. $37 a day. NO parking AT the courthouse as far as we can tell. I'll call the court on Monday and see what the situation is for Jurors with challenges. In Muskogee they had parking right in front of the Courthouse, adjacent to the ramp.

I'll have to drive up on the 26th, the day after Christmas. I called up and made a reservation at one of the hotels they suggested. Went thru all the BS they always ask. Then the gal says... so, that's one room, king bed, Roll In shower. $230 per night. Muskogee was $84 per night. Whoa sweetpea, this is Federal Jury Duty... "Oh, if you have a government ID... "

"I have both my letter from the Court and my Military ID."

click, click, Clickity, Click.

"Okay, I have a room with Two double Beds and roll in shower... $104 per night."

That'll do donkey, that'll do.

I'll keep you guys posted. The hotel is seven blocks from the courthouse, THEY charge $27 a day for Parking. Sheesh. OKC sucks.