I got a notice for jury duty the other day. I am fine going on the day I am scheduled, which is a Tuesday. I am also okay to serve on Wed, if I get picked for a trial. The problem is that I leave for vacation on Thurs. If I got to the point where I get picked, I believe they ask for anyone to go up and talk to the judge if they have an excuse as to why they can't be placed on a jury. Then I would be excused and I believe I would have fulfilled my duty and can't get picked for another 3 or 4 years.
Would you do that or reschedule? I believe I can change the date but I want to get it out of the way and if it I get picked for a one or two day trial I am fine with that. I just can't do longer.
I’ve been called for jury duty many times over the years, and have never qualified for any of the usual exemptions. Years ago, it seemed like I was bein’ called every 6 months…!!!
I actually had to serve once, but more on that in a bit.
I usually got out of it because I have a good friend and a BIL who are/were law enforcement officers, and my wife’s cousin was the assistant DA in our county…!!!!!
The last time I was called, it conflicted with our family Disney trip last October, so I was able to reschedule. I was told they would send me another summons confirming the new date, but they never did.
I got pulled over not all that long ago for a taillight out, and there was no warrant for my arrest…apparently, it got lost in the mix.
The one time I did end up serving was many years ago, was a fluke, and it lasted an entire week. It was a DWI/DUI case and we ended up voting to convict.
I, by chance, ended up riding down from the courtroom with the defendants lawyer in the elevator after the trial.
I asked him how I got picked, because I knew cops and had a DWI years ago myself. He told me they had indeed eliminated me as a potential juror, but a lady they were gonna’ choose was talkin’ about the case out in the hallway, so was eliminated and fined, and I was the next choice…lucky me…!!!!!
I also asked the lawyer if he thought we made the right call and he said “Yea, he’d (his client) been drinkin’ all day.” …!!!!!
Sorry for the long story, but it brought back memories…!!!
Bottom line, call and reschedule (although that wasn’t an option back in the day), as even what seems like an insignificant case could easily last longer than a coupla’ days.