Has anyone ever done jury duty?

Question

Were you part of the voir dire, or screening process?

Were you dismissed or chosen to serve on the jury?

If dismissed, do you know why?

If you chosen, did the case go to trial?

If so, how long did you sit on the jury?

What type of court was it - county court or state court?

Was it a Grand Jury or Petit Jury?

Was it a criminal or civil trial?

What did you learn about the court process?

Did this you feel you were fulfilling an important civic duty by serving?

Answer 1

Yes, I have.  Three times.

The first time was a criminal murder trial in 1993, but I got excused because it was six months after my first fiance was murdered and neither attorney nor judge liked the idea.

In 1999 I was chosen the second and third times.

Yes, went to trial.

The second one: One day.  The third one: Two days.  This includes the selection and serving.

The second one was Federal.  The third was county.

Both were Petit juries.

Both were civil trials.

It was interesting.  The plaintiffs had to prove their cases.  Based on the evidence we had to decide to either award them judgment and how much  they got or to rule against them.  You'd be surprised how much is decided by your jurors.  Many wanted to end the case quick and go home, but I was one of the few who wanted to go over the evidence and decide fairly.  For the county case, I was Jury Foreman because my name was drawn for the jury first.

Yes, I felt I fulfilled an important civic duty by serving.  We were also paid for our time by the courts.  People are nuts for trying to get out of it because they can really learn something worthwhile.

Answer 2

I was on the grand jury once...recently I was chosen to be on a criminal court jury (petit court) and the guy pleaded guilty so we went home...it was county court...I like doing it because I am nosy...