I have been summoned and my work will pay up to 5 days for me to be in jury duty. Is there anything you can do to increase the chances that you DO get picked?
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Jury Duty
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Last: 48 min ago by JuneBug07
in my experience they seem to have figured out who they want before you even sit down. If you're in the first 10-15, then good chance you're in and they'll ask questions so one side or another can bounce you.
also it would have to be a really bad crime committed for the trial to go a week,
also it would have to be a really bad crime committed for the trial to go a week,
I'm sort of split on this.
On the one hand, I have never been called in, am curious by nature, would like to do my civic duty, and will get paid.
On the other hand I think it would get old after the second or third day and there's always the chance that it's something really unpleasant.
On the one hand, I have never been called in, am curious by nature, would like to do my civic duty, and will get paid.
On the other hand I think it would get old after the second or third day and there's always the chance that it's something really unpleasant.
plant science guy said:
I'm sort of split on this.
On the one hand, I have never been called in, am curious by nature, would like to do my civic duty, and will get paid.
On the other hand I think it would get old after the second or third day and there's always the chance that it's something really unpleasant.
Which court?
Quote:
Is there anything you can do to increase the chances that you DO get picked?
Jury duty selection is not really about getting 'picked,' but rather not being eliminated. In my experience at the Brazos County courthouse, you're called into the courtroom in a specific order, given some brief information, then asked to go back in the hallway. They'll then reshuffle the order and call you back in. The first row is in the 'hot seat' since they'll select the first 6 or 12 (depending on the type of trial) folks that either side or the judge hasn't stricken. The judge will tell you that they have sometimes had someone in the back couple of rows end up in the jury, but I haven't seen this in the dozen or so times I've been summoned. If you want to decrease your odds of being stricken, especially If you are in the first row, then don't say too much when answering their questions.
I have been selected 4 times. District court armed robbery, County Court felony DWI, District Court Medical Malpractice and JP petit jury DWI.
In all I just sat there and answered questions they asked if any. On a couple they never asked me anything. I think they get a lot of info from the questionnaire you fill out beforehand.
In all I just sat there and answered questions they asked if any. On a couple they never asked me anything. I think they get a lot of info from the questionnaire you fill out beforehand.
I was on the last row. Didn't think I had a shot to be picked even after the reshuffle. When they called the 12 for the jury, I was picked. Kind of crazy.
I've received the notice for 3 consecutive years and don't get past the questionnaire. Each time the night before my case gets canceled.
I'll never get picked for a DUI/DWI case because I always get asked if I've been personally affected by it. They've sent me home for this 4 times.
This…mostly.
They don't always shuffle when they send you back into the hall the first time, but if you come back in and you've got a new number then they've probably shuffled. It is a process of elimination rather than selection starting with the person in seat #1. The closer you are to the front, the more likely you are to be on the jury.
Both sides have unlimited strikes for cause (which is how sometimes people on the back row do make the jury) and a set number of peremptory strikes that can be used for any non-discriminatory reason (not race, sex, etc.). For example, if it's a felony criminal case then any of the first 32 could make the jury (10 peremptory strikes per side for a total of 20 strikes leaving the remaining 12 as the jury assuming no strikes for cause).
As mentioned, the more a person talks the more likely they are to say something one side or the other doesn't like and therefore get struck. But just because you do talk doesn't mean you're getting struck.
All that being said, trying to get out of jury duty doesn't make much sense to me. It's like trying to get out of voting and then wondering why there's low turnout during elections. The justice system like a representative democracy doesn't work unless citizens are willing to participate.
They don't always shuffle when they send you back into the hall the first time, but if you come back in and you've got a new number then they've probably shuffled. It is a process of elimination rather than selection starting with the person in seat #1. The closer you are to the front, the more likely you are to be on the jury.
Both sides have unlimited strikes for cause (which is how sometimes people on the back row do make the jury) and a set number of peremptory strikes that can be used for any non-discriminatory reason (not race, sex, etc.). For example, if it's a felony criminal case then any of the first 32 could make the jury (10 peremptory strikes per side for a total of 20 strikes leaving the remaining 12 as the jury assuming no strikes for cause).
As mentioned, the more a person talks the more likely they are to say something one side or the other doesn't like and therefore get struck. But just because you do talk doesn't mean you're getting struck.
All that being said, trying to get out of jury duty doesn't make much sense to me. It's like trying to get out of voting and then wondering why there's low turnout during elections. The justice system like a representative democracy doesn't work unless citizens are willing to participate.
Trust me, you do not want to be in a court room for 5 days. During selection, I sat near the back, didn't say a word, and tried to avoid all eye contact with the lawyers. I was selected anyways. The trial was 5 days. I truly don't understand why it took that long. They produced evidence on the first afternoon of the dirtbag literally saying he committed the crime he was being tried for. On day 4 he was finally found guilty by the jury. We took less than 5 minutes to all agree. Day 5 they did sentencing and were really focusing on the guys overall character and had some more crimes that were brought to the surface. Some truly disturbing stuff was brought out in the open. I still think about his poor victims from time to time. The overall process is so mind numbingly tedious and boring and inefficient. There is no way it should take more than 2 days if they would just cut out all BS legality crap.
Been selected once. First part was seat 3, second was seat 2, then first person picked.
2 weeks on a capital murder trial.
2 weeks on a capital murder trial.
I've been a trial lawyer for 30 years and a state district judge for 10 years (now retired). The best way to make a jury is to not make eye contact during jury selection and not answer questions. The quiet ones don't get struck. The opinionated, know-it-alls, and talkers get struck. I spoke to thousands of jurors after their trials were over. Most were disappointed when their name was called to be seated on the jury, but through the experience, most expressed that it was a rewarding experience that gave them greater faith in the justice system and said they were grateful for the experience. Jurors should be paid a fair wage for their service (which they are not) to compensate them for performing a critical role in fulfilling a cornerstone of our constitutions, while sacrificing employment and family obligations. If you're really interested in serving, keep your head down, answer only questions posed directly to you, annd answer honestly but without providing too much information.
From a trial lawyer, just be quiet
Tailgate88 said:plant science guy said:
I'm sort of split on this.
On the one hand, I have never been called in, am curious by nature, would like to do my civic duty, and will get paid.
On the other hand I think it would get old after the second or third day and there's always the chance that it's something really unpleasant.
Which court?
Brazos County Justice of the Peace
JP trial will be over in hours or even minutes. Sorry, but your 5 day employment benefit won't apply to this jury duty.
It's mostly traffic tickets, Minor in Possession, etc., depending on which JP Court. You'll be done that day. I was picked a few times for Judge Boyett's court a couple times.
OP. I applauded your enthusiasm and it is your duty, however having served four times as a juror, I can say that I would rather be at work.
plant science guy said:
I have been summoned and my work will pay up to 5 days for me to be in jury duty. Is there anything you can do to increase the chances that you DO get picked?
I was once told that the best way to get picked is not to speak a lot. If they don't know your views, they have nothing to use to kick you.
AgLaw09 said:
This…mostly.
They don't always shuffle when they send you back into the hall the first time, but if you come back in and you've got a new number then they've probably shuffled. It is a process of elimination rather than selection starting with the person in seat #1. The closer you are to the front, the more likely you are to be on the jury.
Both sides have unlimited strikes for cause (which is how sometimes people on the back row do make the jury) and a set number of peremptory strikes that can be used for any non-discriminatory reason (not race, sex, etc.). For example, if it's a felony criminal case then any of the first 32 could make the jury (10 peremptory strikes per side for a total of 20 strikes leaving the remaining 12 as the jury assuming no strikes for cause).
As mentioned, the more a person talks the more likely they are to say something one side or the other doesn't like and therefore get struck. But just because you do talk doesn't mean you're getting struck.
All that being said, trying to get out of jury duty doesn't make much sense to me. It's like trying to get out of voting and then wondering why there's low turnout during elections. The justice system like a representative democracy doesn't work unless citizens are willing to participate.
Can't blue star this enough. Never been able to serve on a jury and I know the process sucks but, if you have any sense of justice, how could you not be willing to participate in the system to ensure it works?
I appreciate all the comments and guidance.
My company restructured my job so that jury duty cannot be more tedious and dull than what I do all day right now. Even watching paint dry would be a fun change if it was only for a day or two.
If JP trials are short, that's fine. It's no hardship for me to be there.
My company restructured my job so that jury duty cannot be more tedious and dull than what I do all day right now. Even watching paint dry would be a fun change if it was only for a day or two.
If JP trials are short, that's fine. It's no hardship for me to be there.
Say as little as possible. When asked a direct question, say something like "I suppose so...but then again I'm really not sure." Also helps to hesitate before answering.
Don't make any visible reactions to what's being discussed by either the attorneys or the jury pool's responses. Look fairly attentive without being super into it. Dress like Mr. Rogers.
Don't make any visible reactions to what's being discussed by either the attorneys or the jury pool's responses. Look fairly attentive without being super into it. Dress like Mr. Rogers.
Hornbeck said:
It's mostly traffic tickets, Minor in Possession, etc., depending on which JP Court. You'll be done that day. I was picked a few times for Judge Boyett's court a couple times.
JP3 (which was Judge Boyett, now Rick Hill) gets all of UPD's citations, since they don't have a municipal court. So yeah, tons of traffic citations, MiPs, disorderly conduct for Northgate patrons who couldn't hold it until they got home and took a leak in the bushes, etc.
"There is no way it should take more than 2 days if they would just cut out all BS legality crap."
They should definitely cut out all BS legality crap from a legal proceeding.
They should definitely cut out all BS legality crap from a legal proceeding.
Legality was not the best choice. I couldn't think of a better word. Maybe procedures would be a better term. Either way there is a ridiculous amount of fluff, jargon, objections, recesses, (in my trial, numerous experts on the subject matter) etc.