“This court summons you to be on call for jury duty during the month of October” … US District Court (Federal Judiciary).
Lucky me, I believe I have hit the trifecta, having already served on County Grand Jury and Criminal Jury duty.
What has always been incredulous to me was that juggling home caregiving and/or single parenting was NOT a valid exemption.
Attempting to share my opinion with a judge was not well received. The alternative of a night in jail for contempt of his court was not worth continuing to enlighten his honor.
If I was a ‘certified professional caregiver’ that is excusable, but not a home caregiver. … One scenario is about ‘money’ and the other about ‘caring’. ... Go figure.
Grand Jury duty was a day or two a week for almost a summer. Trying to explain 'why' while dropping our then pre-school daughter off with a daycare provider each day, I would joke that Daddy was going to help the Queen of Hearts yell, “Off with their heads”.
Criminal Jury duty is luck of the draw. Fortunately (for me) it was a popular ‘plea bargain’ day and maximum turn over for lawyers’ pockets. I was dismissed by early afternoon.
Now in October it’s off to Federal court … Happy, happy, joy, joy! But by God and the Founding Fathers, YOU are entitled to a jury of your peers. … and …
(imagine a deep Barry White voice) “Baby, I am your peer.”
Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer
http://www.youtube.com/daddyleer
Good, righteous frustration. But w/o well-thought out fair-minded tax-payers like yourself, no one WOULD get a fair trial because the jury pool would be made up of people who didn't care or had personal agendas (read OJ trial). Whether for good or worse, right now most potential jurors are taken taken from tax rolls w/the assumption that working folk are even-minded and open to consider both sides. So you can actually be complimented here, Patrick. You're a desireable commodity to the system. Hope the lesser charge this defendant plead down to will still serve justice, eh? Have a good one, stay safe. xoxo CATHY
ReplyDeletehttp://journals.aol.com/luddie343/DARETOTHINK/
I've been on call several times, but never actually called. I do not look forward to doing jury duty, actually. It would mean that I would have to work double time before I go in, planning for a substitute to take over... translate: write everything in detail what I wanted to teach, things I wouldn't write normally because it's all in my head. Then, when I do return, I'd have to work double time again getting the room back in order, and finding out what didn't get taught, what I have to teach again, and how to get back on track. The worst would be not knowing for how long I would be absent from the classroom.
ReplyDeleteIf they call you, I know you will be a fair juror, but maybe they won't call! I'm thinking you are hoping for a chance to complete that trifecta! Have a good week. bea
((((((((((((HUGSTOYOu))))))))))Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I guess they just love you as a juror.
ReplyDelete.......you must live on the last frontier.......in California I wrote on my summons my reason was I was the only care provider for a disabled veteran, etc, etc, and has a return mail dismiss..........lucky me!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it strange how some people are called over and over for jury duty. I have never once been called up to do the task! However, I am surprised, given your situtation they did not excuse you before. The judge must have never 'cared' for anyone.
ReplyDeleteJackie
I managed to see your videos Partick and they're wonderful. I love the naturalness of the people, their warmth shines through and I'm so impressed with the aircraft :)
ReplyDeleteI find it a bit 'flippin eck!' that people who are carers have to find time to juggle jury duty with other things, but on the upside the people you judge are guaranteed a fair appraisal of their conduct from you, so there's good coming from the upheavel, albeit one you could do without. Rache
I couldn't get out of it in nursing training even if it meant I would flunk out a semester and have to retake it, my husband got out of it for his vacation. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteJulie