Feb
03
…..if we just wait a while.”
A couple of weeks ago I got THE letter, that lovely kind that tells you to report for jury duty! Wonder why we all dread doing this?
I had just served on jury duty for a week in October but that was in town, local circuit court. Alas, this is federal jury duty in a neighboring town about 30+ miles away and it said “you are to report for the month of February”! The MONTH? This was something new because usually it’s just for a week. Then I see something else written at the bottom of the summons…..”Do NOT bring reading materials of any sort.” I’ve never heard of that before and that probably upset me more than anything else! I hate to be sitting around waiting and not be reading a book. I sort of resigned myself to it, knew it was a short month so that might be the best time to have it. But then a day or so ago we found out that hubby’s uncle passed away and he would be going with his mom and some family to the funeral in Kansas. He wanted me to call and check to see if I could be excused. And a very nice lady did excuse me over the phone, I just had to send in a written letter for them to give the judge. So I think I’m off this time. I guess my day will come later on and I hope it will be when nothing else is going on! (Does that ever happen?)
I’ll be flying out for a funeral for a couple of days but then I hope to get home and stay put for a bit……oh, and I’ll be reading my book as well!
February 4th, 2007 at 6:29 am
Ugh, I’d be sick too w/o any reading materials. How strange. Federal jury duty huh? Hopefully it won’t come around again for a long time, although I guess we’re supposed to be thankful for the opportunity to participate and all . . . they make it such a drag. Knock on wood – never gotten the call yet.
February 4th, 2007 at 8:46 am
My husband had been celled for federal jury duty once. But before he went, he had a number to call. When he called, he was told that he didn’t have to report at all. I’ve never been called for federal, and only twice for local – I sat on one jury – boring!
February 4th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Sorry to hear about your hubby’s uncle.
But, I do agree. Why can’t you bring reading materials if you are going to just be sitting around all day? That seems a little silly.
February 4th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Sorry about the funeral, and I hope you don’t get called again. You must not have many people in your county that vote!!
Maybe they’ll have some reading materials there, too. Magazines or something…..Download a book onto your I-Pod !!
February 4th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
You mean you actually had to GO every day in Feb? Usually the month long ones you call the day before and they tell you whether or not to report. I had jury duty one week in December right after Thanksgiving. Honestly, I really would like to serve but I had required classes and tests coming up. After telling me to sit down, the judge released me and few other people before they split into panels. I was SO thankful because that would have been really bad for my test grades!
February 4th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
I’m sorry to hear about the death in your family. Be careful and come home safe.
February 4th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
That would be hard to sit around like that for me, too!
I think I know why, though…I’ve never had to do the jury thing yet, but heard that they don’t want you to read something about the case and be influenced. However, I’m not sure how a novel or something could pertain to the case!
Sorry about your husband’s uncle…blessing for your travel, Gail!
February 5th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Suzanne, can’t take an ipod, it was on the list of stuff NOT to bring!
Tammy, you might be right about a novel but I would have waited to ask I guess since it specifically said not to bring anything.
Oh well, will find out the next time.
February 5th, 2007 at 10:25 am
I don’t understand that either. I had a jury summons last year for one entire month and had to call every day, all month long. I never had to report, thank goodness. And mine had a whole packet of information, but nothing about not bringing a book to read. I don’t get that at all.
I’m sorry about D’s uncle, and hope you guys have/had a good trip, but I’m glad you got out of the jury summons. 🙂
February 5th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
I can’t believe that I have never been called for jury duty. What records do they use to find people?
Now that I said that, I will probably get THE LETTER.
February 6th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Wow must be the time for Jury Duty, I just got called last week too LOL
I got out of it though because I’m not a citizen LOL
Good luck with yours 🙂
February 8th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
As you know, I had my own little jury duty crisis. But I’ve come up with the perfect solution. Everyone should just behave themselves and stay out of trouble. If no one misbehaves, no need for juries. Right?
I’m glad you got out of it, but I’m sorry for the reason. I’ll keep you all in my prayers.