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jury duty update - excused

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Update: The case was for a guy accused of fondling a girls breasts. Was there for a few hours... extensively questioned by both sides. (oddly, there were a lot of teachers who were potential jurors) I was the 3rd person called up and the first person questioned. They kept coming back to me to ask me more questions. Eventually, they brought up a question of motive - and I related it to teachers. "One of the biggest fears a teacher has is to be wrongly accused of sexual contact with a student. It's unfortunate that there are teachers who have done so, but there have also been many teachers whose lives have been turned upside down because of accusations by students with some sort of vendetta against them - they're too hard, failed a student, whatever. But, it's just common sense that if you're an older male, with a young female, you do not spend time alone with them one on one. If a female student comes to me for help after school, it's always at the desks in front of the room, near the door, with the door wide open. That's among the first things they tell you when you're learning to be a teacher. If a student accused a teacher of something, I would question if they had a motive to lie." I'm guessing that was the reason I was dismissed.


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I have jury duty tomorrow. I took care of all the paperwork, making sure I had a substitute teacher, etc a month or so ago. Fast forward to now - I'm discussing it with people, "yeah, I have to go for jury duty this week." I find out that there's a chance that if selected, I'll have to show up for several days in a row.

I'm screwed if that happens. I have 3 major school events planned for during the next week (major planning, huge number of details to see to, etc)
Not to mention that I teach physics and math, and it's getting too close to the end of the school year. I could have adjusted my plans for teaching if it happened earlier in the year, but there's only so much I can do right now. There are no substitutes capable of actually teaching my classes. And, if anyone thinks I can leave notes for a substitute detailing how to teach the subject matter, they'd be dreaming. I'm happy that they can take attendance, hand out tests (what I usually do if I have a sub), and keep the class under control. Next week is differential equations for calculus class - there, I'm done planning for the class for next week. If I could write notes that would be good enough that every single student could learn from the notes alone, I'd simply write a textbook instead based on the notes, and be rich.

I don't mind at all doing my civic duty and serving as a juror, but I don't want days of my time taken up by it. My students can't afford to not have a teacher for a week.

Anyone know how to avoid extended jury duties? (without resulting in a fine for contempt of court)



Cliffnotes:
Jury duty tomorrow.
Happily will serve for 1 day.
Huge hardship caused if >1 day.
How to avoid >1 day??
 
When you show up to sign in here they ask for photo ID. I always let my ACLU and NRA membership cards drop onto the table when I pull out my ID. I've been called 3 times, twice they told me I could go right there at the table. The third time I had to go in for selection, but was the second person dismissed. 😎

Lawyers don't want activists that play both sides. 😎
 
My gf just put in a continuance through the phone system, because on the date she got called she'll be out of the country. And when she gets back, she'll do her jury duty. Here its just an option over the phone.
 
State that you have a strong desire not to be there and that you are fairly worried that this distraction from your normal duties will impair your ability to make a fair decision.


 
I believe you can ask for a different time period. It is quite common for teachers to request a postponement of jury duty to the summer time. However it might be too late since you are supposed to be there tomorrow. When you get there, ask if you can postpone it. If you want to go the more unethical way just lie or make sure you answer your question that highly favor either the prosecuter or the defendent (like you believe everyone who is arrested is guilty unless proven otherwise)
 
Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
When you show up to sign in here they ask for photo ID. I always let my ACLU and NRA membership cards drop onto the table when I pull out my ID. I've been called 3 times, twice they told me I could go right there at the table. The third time I had to go in for selection, but was the second person dismissed. 😎



Lawyers don't want activists that play both sides. 😎

I love that. 🙂

Yes, I had the option of postponing it for 6 months, but then in 6 months I am not allowed to postpone it again. (and 6 months doesn't land it in the summertime)
 
Volunteerily tell the lawyers that you are an "engineer" or a "scientist". That always gets me off. Even if I say nothing else.

Lawyers know that engineers and scientists are too logical to be jurors. They'll dismiss you. Its usually the prosecuting side that dismisses me.
 
Originally posted by: cheapbidder01
Volunteerily tell the lawyers that you are an "engineer" or a "scientist". That always gets me off. Even if I say nothing else.

Lawyers know that engineers and scientists are too logical to be jurors. They'll dismiss you. Its usually the prosecuting side that dismisses me.

Woohooo! I'll ask if I can be the head juror, since "I'm the smartest one in the room. If the other jurors can't figure out the punk is guilty, I'll set them straight. OJ wouldn't have gotten off if *I* was the juror."
 
Originally posted by: DrPizza
Originally posted by: cheapbidder01
Volunteerily tell the lawyers that you are an "engineer" or a "scientist". That always gets me off. Even if I say nothing else.

Lawyers know that engineers and scientists are too logical to be jurors. They'll dismiss you. Its usually the prosecuting side that dismisses me.

Woohooo! I'll ask if I can be the head juror, since "I'm the smartest one in the room. If the other jurors can't figure out the punk is guilty, I'll set them straight. OJ wouldn't have gotten off if *I* was the juror."

Great, so all the jurors we have are just the ones not smart enough to figure out how to get out of it.
 
Originally posted by: TallBill
Originally posted by: DrPizza
Originally posted by: cheapbidder01 Volunteerily tell the lawyers that you are an "engineer" or a "scientist". That always gets me off. Even if I say nothing else. Lawyers know that engineers and scientists are too logical to be jurors. They'll dismiss you. Its usually the prosecuting side that dismisses me.
Woohooo! I'll ask if I can be the head juror, since "I'm the smartest one in the room. If the other jurors can't figure out the punk is guilty, I'll set them straight. OJ wouldn't have gotten off if *I* was the juror."
Great, so all the jurors we have are just the ones not smart enough to figure out how to get out of it.

feign some heart pains and dizzyness, so they have to ajourn and get someone else. its not your responsibility to try someone - its the government's
 
Just tell them randomly that .9999 = 1. It might not get you out of jury duty but it will keep them busy for a few years.
 
I am not advocating this, but I know for years my father just ignored jury summons that weren't sent by certified mail, since the court couldn't prove receipt. Of course if you have already called them, that eliminates this as a viable option.

In general they won't make you stay if you have events in your life that will prevent you from serving without distraction.
 
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