Has anyone here ever been...........

[CaliforniaPeggy]

On a Civil Grand Jury?

I was invited to apply today!

It won't start until July 2007, and it runs for a year!

I have to think about this one......

It would rule out any vacations....or being a Mod...

Should I? Or shouldn't I?

:wtf:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. Don't do it, Peggy!

Why waste a year of your retirement?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Starbucks Anarchist!

Hmmm...well, I'm thinking about it.......

I don't see it as a waste of time, though...

I mean, they do have an important function in helping our government run more efficiently.......

OTOH, it is a whole year!

Thanks, sweetie! :hug:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

5. Guess I'm bitter over my near-jury duty experience.

It took six days for them to reject me from the final jury, and the case involved two rich bastards suing each other over an amount of money it would take me decades to make.

"Jury of your peers," my ass. :D

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Well, I can hardly blame you for being bitter!

I mean, why on earth couldn't they have ejected you the first damn day?

Grrr......:grr:

:pals: :hug:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

7. Oh, it gets worse.

One day, we were all sent home after lunch because one of the $500/hour attorneys was feeling sick.

I wanted to shout at him, "Hey, jerk, if I was making what you make, I'd stick around even if I had the Ebola virus!"

:hug:

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. I used to work with a woman who served on a grand jury...

In her case, it was mandatory. Don't do it. It will eat up all of your time.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear greatauntoftriplets!

Yeah, the literature did say that it's equivalent to a 40 hour work week.

So I see that.........I'm still thinking it over. My dad did it, and he really enjoyed it.

Hmmm........:dilemma:

[liberaltrucker]

8. Unless it's a legal subpena(sp), ignore it

Our duty is to serve on criminal juries, not civil, IMHO.

:hi:

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear liberaltrucker!

Ah, sweetie, no, it's not mandatory!

It was an invitation to apply!

I'm going to think about it.......

Thanks for your input, though! Are you safe and sound at home?

:loveya:

:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. How much does it pay?

Sorry to sound so mercenary...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. My dear GoddessOfGuinness!

Hey, that's not being mercenary! Money counts, you know!

It's $45.00/meeting, plus mileage.

I certainly wouldn't do it for that!

:hi:

[conscious evolution]

12. do it

then indict bush for something.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. My dear conscious evolution!

If we could do that, I would sign up in a heartbeat!

Alas..........we are just for right here in Los Angeles.......

Not federal.....

Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

13. I've been called to jury duty twice. I never went, though.

If they really wanted me to show up, they would have sent it registered mail. Whatever I "didn't" get the notice.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. My dear haruka.......

Tsk, tsk....you are risking things by not responding, sweetie!

And this thing I got today is not for the "normal" jury duty......

It's for the Civil Grand Jury........for a whole year!

:hi:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

16. Yeah, I would never apply for something like that. I don't have the attention span for that sort

of thing.

Anyway, until NJ starts sending these things registered mail, I'm not risking anything, since they have no proof that I received it.

Just like I throw a penny into the tolls on the NJ highways. The system is messed up enough that I can't be caught not paying full toll.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. Good luck!

In California anyway, they seem to go after, and catch the folks who don't respond to the jury duty summons...

And now it's just one day, or one trial...And since I always get thrown off, I just go.........works for me!

:shrug:

:hi:

[QuestionAll...]

22. how long do you have to think about this, Peggy?

and is there any fine print you should be aware of - like what reasons could you have to dismiss yourself well into the program?

If you have the free time to do this without denigrating your financial or other obligations to family, etc., I personally would consider it a wonderful challenge and education and test of sorts. But as in everything, buyer beware.

Peggy for Supreme Court! Rah! ;)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. They need to know pretty soon.......

I'm leaning against it, right now........

Because of the time commitments.........

Supreme Court? HAH! No way, baby!

But thanks...that's quite a compliment........:hug:

[Nicole]

18. I would jump at the chance!

I think it would be a unique experience. :)

I've been on regular jury duty 4 times, for 2 week periods, and enjoyed it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. My dear Nicole!

I'm giving it serious consideration, believe me!

But the fact that I couldn't be a mod, or go on any trips for an entire year kind of holds me up......

We'll see......

Thanks!

:pals:

[Nicole]

23. The trips would be bad

Although to me worth it. I could spend that year planning & saving for bigger trips.

I don't understand the mod thing though. Aren't there DU mods who have jobs? I don't think jury duty would be any different, time wise, than a working mod. :shrug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

27. It seems as though most of the mods have jobs.......

But not all........And maybe they have flexible hours.

But the Grand Jury is less flexible, I believe....

It would be too much for me to try and do both.

I know my limits, and combining those would be over the top!

:scared:

[WCGreen]

20. To serve on a Grand Jury is a great honor....

I would just inquire about the ability to not attend if you have vacation plans and what not...

What you do is hear preliminary evidence and then decide if the case has merit...

You also get paid for this...

I would check into it just to see what it entails...

Then if you are comfortable with the time commitment, then I would serve...

The Justice System depends on people, ordinary people, to be included in the process...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. Hey, Chris....

It is a great honor, I agree...

But the literature I got today was very clear about attending...

NO time off for vacations at all........

I would like to do it sometime, but next summer? I think not.

I may want to travel then, and this would make it impossible.

My dad did it several years ago, and he missed our younger daughter's wedding because of it....

Now I understand why......and I didn't at the time.

I know they depend on the ordinary person being included......

Perhaps in the future.......

I appreciate your input, as always.......

[ikojo]

28. California Peggy...I"ve never had the privilege of

serving on a jury. If I were to receive a notice I would gladly go.

My only question is this: what if you already have a job...will that excuse you from the job just as a normal jury summons would? What about religious holidays like Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah, would a Jewish member of the civil grand jury be granted those days off (or do they just not conduct hearings on those days?)


I say go for it and learn much and share much about our legal system, messed up though it is.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

31. My dear ikojo..........

Getting on a Grand Jury is not mandatory.........But once you're on it, then I believe you must show up......

I have no idea about the Jewish holidays.......probably there are no meetings on those days.

I'd like to do it, but next summer is likely to be a busy one for me, and so I think I'll give it a pass this time.

I appreciate your input!

:hi:

[Heidi]

24. I've _always_ wanted jury duty,

but because I was a journalist when I lived in the US, I was never chosen. :(

I think it would be an excellent learning experience and, given the opportunity, I'd do it in a heartbeat. :thumbsup:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. My dear Heidi........

I've been on jury duty a number of times.......

But for the criminal cases, I was always thrown off!

I served on two civil cases........

I have no problem serving for the normal jury duty......

The Grand Jury is quite a lot different!

[tjwmason]

29. May I be permitted to quote President Kennedy?

"Ask not what your country can do for you" I don't think I need to continue.

If the duties would not be too onerous (given personal circumstances), then I would definitely apply. There is a reason that it is referred to as "jury duty", duty may not be a popular concept these days...but our countries would fall apart even more if nobody rose to the challenge.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. My dear tj!

Ah, how I hear you! I think that, this time, I will sit it out......

It does sound interesting......

But down the road, when my life is less complicated, I will most likely do it.....

I agree about how quickly our countries would fall apart if no-one rose to the challenge...

Duty is certainly disregarded these days..........unfortunately!


:hi:

[Haole Girl]

30. I haven't been on one, but a woman I worked with was...

...she liked it, but said there were some very tough cases.

I'd say, Peggy, follow your heart. Do what you feel you want to do. You deserve to be happy!

:loveya: :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

33. My dear KC2!

Awww.....thank you, sweetie!

I do want to do this; I know it would be fascinating!

But next summer ...I think I will be busy, and I want to be free to follow my own dreams.....

I plan to follow my heart....:loveya: :hug:

[Anarcho-Socialist]

34. Personally I would be eager to serve on a jury

It depends on how much you want to do it. If your heart isn't in it, then it might make you miserable.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

35. My dear Anarcho-Socialist!

This is not the regular normal trial jury that we all are famliar with.

The Grand Jury hears evidence and decides if the indicted person is to be tried in a court of law......

The term is for an entire year, and you can't travel during that time.

I think I do want to do it someday...just not next year.......

Good to see you!

:hug:

[rug]

36. This is different and I'd do it in a heartbeat.

The main function of the Civil Grand Jury is to investigate county, city, and joint-power agencies. This is a significant civil function. The Grand Jury acts in a "watch-dog" capacity, by examining carefully and completely, the operations of various government agencies within Los Angeles County. The Civil Grand Jury cannot investigate state or federal agencies, which lie outside their jurisdiction. Part of the investigation of governmental agencies includes the ability to audit operations, accounts and records of officers and departments within the agency under investigation. The Civil Grand Jury is further charged with investigating individual complaints from citizens. By statute the Grand Jury is required to inquire regarding the conditions and management of all public prisons within the County of Los Angeles.

http://lasuperiorcourt.org/jury/grandjury.htm#1

Amd you'll have subpoena power, baby!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

40. My dear rug!

You did some research!

And you are absolutely correct..........

The ability to issue subpoenas is nearly irresistable...

However, this time, I think I'll sit it out....

Thanks for the resource!

:hi:

[Dem_4_Life]

37. My co-worker was on one a few years back...

They pay pretty good for being on a Jury (I think it was $25-50 a day). You are not there the whole year, you only get called in when needed. I would do it for the experience, I think it would be very interesting.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

41. My dear Dem_4_Life...

The pay here in Los Angeles is $45/per meeting...

The literature said it would be a 30-40 hour week.

And no vacations...

I have plans for this summer........I think this time I'll pass........

But someday I will definitely do it!

Thanks for coming by! :hi:

[Dem_4_Life]

44. That sounds good.

The good thing about my work is that you get paid your full pay for Jury duty up to 80 hours but I can understand if it takes that long to pass.

[av8rdave]

38. never done a grand jury

although I get my jury summons every two years whether I like it or not...they never have actually used me though

[CaliforniaPeggy]

42. My dear av8rdave..........

I hear you about being called for jury duty!

I have never served on a criminal case......:cry:

And now that the system is set up for one trial or one day, I always show up.......

It's a lot easier now.......

:hi:

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

39. Yes if you don't have a life, No if you do have a life

I got called for a Grand Jury about 3 years ago, I was in between jobs and I actually wanted to do it because I didn't think the supposed pay 60 dollars a day for 4-5 hours sounded to bad (Is that accurate?) for 5 days a week for a total of around 6 months. I wanted to do it also because I have an interest in the judicial system and might apply for law school when I finish my degree. Anyways I didn't get chosen after I tried volunteer, so I was a little disappointed.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

43. My dear Indy_Dem_Defender!

And I do have a life!

I'm going to sit this one out......but I will do it one day...just not now!

I think that the pay varies from state to state.........Here in Los Angeles, the pay is $45/meeting. It is five days a week here.......

I'm sorry you didn't get chosen.........maybe next time!

Thanks for your input today.......:hi:

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

45. I'm sorry I wasn't meaning it like that

The people they picked from the bunch to be on the grand jury during my time, had to much going on in their life to even think of putting them on it. I remember this young woman middle 20's worked and went to college full-time, and was a single mom and they still insisted she be on it, I don't know why they would do that to her, she had a full plate going on in life. Then there's this middle aged white guy says he's racist because he doesn't like "African Americans" "Hispanics" or "Asians", I could tell he was lying to get out of it cause if he was really racist he would of used racist words instead of PC ones. I was about to stand up in the middle of all this and say "Hey I don't have a job or much of a life please let me do!" but I chickened out figuring I would get arrested or something for shouting out loud in a court room. 45 dollars a day in LA isn't very much I could see why people try to get out of it, but 60 dollars a day for 4-5 hours ($12-15 an Hour)is really good when you don't have a job in Indianapolis.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

48. No worries!

But I need to say...this Grand Jury is NOT mandatory!

It is strictly voluntary.....but once you sign up, you are stuck for the entire year....

Right now, I cannot see my way clear to committing myself to that sort of thing.....

:hi:

[huskerlaw]

46. Oh my!

I've never been on a jury of any sort, so I'm not much help.

However, I know we've talked about this general subject before and if I recall correctly, you said you enjoyed it.

Add that to the system's dire need for intelligent, thoughtful people...and I think you should go for it!

Plus, you'd be hanging out downtown more often and we could go out to lunch! ;)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

47. My dear huskerlaw!

Well, now...how can I pass up an opportunity like that?

But...next year....I know there are going to be DU meetups all over, and I want to travel!

Someday I will do this........just not next year.......

I do mean it, too.........I know it would be fun!

I appreciate your good thoughts! :hug:

[Redstone]

49. I'd say "You're retired, so do your civic duty" but, damn...

A whole year? That's a lot to ask of anyone.

Redstone

[CaliforniaPeggy]

50. Yes, a whole year, my dear Redstone......

It is a long time...and you probably have a good idea why I'm reluctant to commit to such a thing........

Something could come up where I'd need to be free to travel...

And this Grand Jury would prevent it.

Someday..........I will do it, and gladly.

But not next year......

:hug:

[Redstone]

51. I don't blame you. A year is a LOT to ask.

Redstone

[CaliforniaPeggy]

52. Check your PM, if you would.......N/T