Category: Let's talk
Well, i've been called to jury duty on April 15th. Any suggestions, tips, etc?
Just do it. It's not difficult. They basically walk you through everything you can and can't do, and what you should and shouldn't do.
If called to do so, this is one of your duties as a citizen. It's one of the ways a citizen can give back to their community.
I'm so jealous! I was always under the assumption that blind people didn't "qualify" for jury duty, since we can't physically see the evidence? I'm not sure where I heard that, but I'm thrilled to know that that isn't the case (at least where you live). Anyway, go for it. Let us know how it goes!
You don't always have to physically see any evidence in order to prove a case.
I agree with the last post. I've served on a jurry once. It was a very enlightening experience. Just bring some means of taking notes with you just in case. I was called several times, and its a good idea to bring something to read with you. You may spend a good eal of time waiting to be called from a pool of jurers. Once when I was waiting, I had an interesting person to talk to, and she was very helpful geting around the building and going to lunch when the time came. Other times, I was just glad I had something to read. Good luck.
Lou
Oh, I know you don't always have to physically see evidence, but I'd been told that the fact that we couldn't see excluded us from jury duty altogether. I'm glad that isn't the case though. Still waiting to be called on though!
i would love to be called for jury duty, though don't know if it will ever happen. hehe
Yeah, I was tol dblind people couldn't serve on jury duty either. I also recently got called, but was told by several people I could opt out of it by saying I'm a full time student, which I did (it's true anyway)< and really I want nothing to do with it, I hope it really is true that sometimes a disability can exclude you from it. I mean it's nice to serve your country and all, but knowing my horrilbe luck I would get called into some high profile murder case, and besides isn't it true that the whole time you're in the trial (which can be a very long time, and no one knows how long it's going to be when they go in it) that you can't talk with anyone outside of the case because you might reveal something about the case, or evidence or something? Sorry, but I don't want to be kept away from people I love for an undetermined amount of time! that's just ridiculous.
Depends on the nature of the case. You can always give a reason why you can not serve. As to whether or not the judge will buy it, that's another issue.
Lou
You may not like that certain situation, but like the above poster said, it depends on the nature of the case. And somebody has to do it.
i have been chosen to be on a jury and it was fascinating. maryland counties have a one day or one trial policy. this was many years ago before i was married. i was disqualified but not because i was blind. the case in question had to do with child abuse. they asked if anyone was a social worker. alll of us stood up and got kicked out. now, i can't be on a jury because the county in which we now reside put the courthouse in the most remote sector. no public transportation goes there and I'm not paying $100 for the opportunity to get paid $25. Being a good citizen is a great thing, but don't hit me where I hurt.
I was as well recently called for jury duty but am also a full-time student, so I was exempt. I haven't heard about the being blind exemption, though, if that is one.
Being blind is not an exemption at all.
I got called, and was promptly excused because I couldn't see evidence. I've been called to federal duty now, and I plan to fight the excusing me based on my blindness if it comes up, this time.
Amen to blindness not being an exemption, DD. A lot of courts do try to excuse us simply because we're blind, but like others have said, we absolutely can serve, if we choose to. Telemachus, good luck, if you get called again.
I have been called for jury duty this month as well. However, I am going to be in the process of moving, so I'm attempting to get out of it. I don't want to have to serve on a jury just as I'm in the moving process, and I won't be a resident of this county much longer. However, if I didn't have to move, I'd have served with no problem.