Has anyone here ever served on a Grand Jury?

[slackmaster]

I ask because my county Superior Court is soliciting applications for next year's GJ.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20061120-9999-1m20grand.html

I've always been interested and would apply, but I can't possibly live on $25 per day.

Please share Grand Jury experiences, if you have them.

[nealmhughes]

1. My sister did once. It went on several months, but only met occasionally.

Her company paid her salary while she was in session. She said it was pretty interesting, but a lot of "hurry up and wait" and a lot of defendents going on the Fifth, so that they automatically indicted them as they offered nothing contrary to the prosecution's contentions.

[stop the bleeding]

2. on regular jury here

it was a good learning experience from a civic's point of view, but you do miss a good deal of work.

Someone has to serve, or else the legal system would come to a crawl/stop

[slackmaster]

3. I've served on three trial juries

Two civil and one criminal.

Grand Jury service, at least in my jurisdiction, is a full-time job for a year.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. A co-worker did

It took a lot of her time. And it lasted a couple years.

[Dr.Phool]

5. I got served up to one years ago.

Not quite the same thing.

[WatchWhatISay]

6. I served on a Federal Grand Jury for 15 months

This was in the Southern District of Texas and it was over 20 years ago.

We were on call one week each month, and usually were called in during our time period. We were paid $30 per day, even if we just showed up and they didnt need us that day (this didnt happen often).

When I first signed up, I was not working, but by the time they called me I was working. My employer was not real thrilled about it, but they were very fair about it, and paid me the amount of my salary that exceeded the $30/day. They were not required to pay me anything, but could not legally fire me as a result of serving.

My overall impression was that it was a good experience to be a part of, but there are many flaws in the system. They told us up front that we were not to be a "rubber stamp" for the prosecuters, and at the time I really didnt know what they were talking about, but I learned, over time, what they meant. We almost always voted to indict. Of course, that is likely since the prosecution controls the agenda and the defendant really has no voice at all during this time. They cannot speak to the grand jury to give their side of things unless the prosecutor and the grand jury agree to it. So you are really only hearing one side of the story. As time went on we jurors became a bit more assertive and actually initiated our own questions and subpoenas. But when the prosectors sense that the grand jury is questioning their point of view, they are likely to drop it, and take an "improved" case to a different grand jury later. Sounds unfair, and I guess it is, so people should keep in mind just what being indicted means - that a group of people who have only heard one side of the story suspect that a crime may have been committed.

We were selected from a pool of several hundred people by chance. Its not like most juries, where just about any excuse will get you off if you want. There were traveling sales people and business owners on the jury, and the judge did not let them off even though it would prove costly to their careers and income. He said that if he did that, he would not have a truly random group of people that represented all of society, but just a group of people who could afford not to work for a living. That's a sensible point of view, except that federal grand juries length of service is usually at least one year. Thats a real problem for some. About the only reason he would let you off is if you were the only person who could possibly provide care for another (child or disabled person for instance).

[jilln]

15. One more important point, the "witnesses" cannot have a lawyer

if they are being questioned by the GJ. So basically you have government lawyers who have spent possibly months already planning their case, and the witness is not even allowed to have his or her lawyer present in the room during interrogation. Sound fair?

[BOSSHOG]

7. "Soliciting Applications??"

That's cool. In Mississippi members are selected randomly from the list of registered voters.

I was on one for a short duration and have served on three courts martials when I was in the Navy. I would summarize the experience in one word - boring! Of course in the Navy, the paycheck kept coming. There is a godawful amount of legalistic minutia but it falls under the heading of civic duty so I won't bitch too much. Seeing lawyers in action up close and personal ain't nothing like whats on TV.

[slackmaster]

16. The process in San Diego guarantees that GJ will consist only of...

Retired people, independently wealthy adults, and a few bored housewives.

[TahitiNut]

8. In 42 years as an adult, I've never gotten a jury notice.

I've always had a driver's license and I've alwys been a registered voter - everywhere I've lived. I have a clean record, too - never arrested.

Strange.

[WatchWhatISay]

10. I've never been called to be on a petit jury either

I often wonder if that has anything to do with my having served on the grand jury. My grown kids have been called several times. Maybe prosectors think I'd be too soft on defendants after having seen how easy it is to get indicted.

I would like to be though. Especially if it were a really juicy case.

[Stardust]

9. I served for 3 weeks (IIRC) in NY (State). see PM

[suston96]

11. I served, and was chosen foreman.

A fascinating experience and a challenge.

You have to make a decision whether there is enough evidence - presented by the district attorney, the prosecutors, to bring a suspect to trial - in other words, an indictment.

It is quite a responsibility since prosecutors are anxious - uh, over-anxious to get indictments. We had to make some serious choices, including an alleged manslaughter. I was one of few who voted against that bill because I felt that it was a terrible accident. The subject was later convicted of manslaughter.

After every session, as foreman I signed the bills of indictment - or non-indictement, and then we were marched into the beautiful and old Superior Court building in Barnstable on Cape Cod - where everyone rose to their feet, including the Judge, as we entered the room. Many goosebumps.

That duty lasted 4 months. There were no downsides for me because I was already retired. I would do it again if offered or selected.

[yellowcanine]

12. I was on one. We only got $15. And it was mandatory . It was actually

kind of interesting. I did it one day a week for three months. Certainly saw the seamier side of life. Lots of drug busts and assaults.

[CottonBear]

13. I served a 3 month term in Georgia. You are called to jury duty here

for both traverse and grand juries.

It was fascinating. Of course, one only hears the prosecution's side and they want you to indict everyone on all charges. But, we did not indict everyone. We were a very diverse group of about 35 people who had spirited and in-depth discussions. We also had a special charge to tour the county ail, interview the employees, police and jailers and write a report on the jail operations and possible improvements or changes. You'll want to pick people with prior experience to be the foreman, vice-foreman and secretary. You vote for these positions once you are seated behind closed doors in the jury chamber. I was the person who got to bang on a big wooden door with a gavel in order to let the DA know when we had finished voting on a case (The DA and witnesses have to leave the room during deliberation.)

[Flirtus]

14. Fabulous experience.

We served a full day on Thursday and a half day on Friday for four months as the concurrent Grand Jury for our county (we took the overload from the regular GJ). There were alternates if somebody had to quit, but our jury stayed intact the whole term, and some of us are still friends. I was not docked by my employer (a university) but had to get my work done there, and sometimes I worked at night to catch up.

The best part was getting to know the jury system while I was still relatively young, it gave me some hope in the system, and lots of tips on staying out of trouble. The police personnel were great, the court officers and judges were, too. If I were summoned, I'd do it again, but I've never been asked, and it was over twenty years ago.