Anyone know how to get out of jury duty?

The very finest people to have on the jury would be people who are just aching to serve, right?

Maybe not. Haha.

However, as a reluctant juror, I found that serving on the jury was a grand experience. I truly hated - rather, abhorred - the idea of serving. I got out of it for many years because I worked nights.

But, when I finally had to serve, I loved it. Guess who became the foreman? ME!

It ain't always bad to do something yucky.


Patty
 
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Wolseley

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Whoa, Wolseley!!

One of the things listed in the U.S. Constitution is Freedom of Speech.
Actually, it's the 1st Amendment to the Constitution, but you're correct.

Sky exercised his right guaranteed by it, and so did I. :)
God bless Sky for his courageousness, I say.
I rather say God bless the American service men and women who died for this country to guarantee Sky the right to badmouth it, and me to suggest if he's unhappy here to go elsewhere.

You'll have to overlook my comments, as I happen to be both a curmudgeon and a dinosaur, and my ideas are outdated, ridiculous, simplistic, isolationist, undiversified, non-multicultural, and politically incorrect.

I also happen to be a United States veteran, and as an official club member of Them What Has Actually Been Shot At, I tend to take a large amount of umbrage when people start to disparage the country I (and 98% of the male members of my family) have defended. Not to mention when they show a flippant disprespect for every service member who has worn an American uniform----all too many of whom never came home again. Comments like those above really grind my cookies. (I will refrain from saying what I'd really like to say.)

Again, anyone who doesn't happen to like it here is free to leave at any time. In this country, we don't put up concrete walls crowned with concertina wire to keep people from leaving. If you're unhappy here, all you have to do is walk, drive, boat, or fly out. Nobody will stop you.
 
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smurfy2day

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Originally posted by VOW
To DJ:



Absolutely.

I'm willing to bet if Smurfy's house were to catch on fire, she'd be on the phone to 911. If her grandfather had a heart attack, she'd sure want the EMTs to show up. I'm willing to bet she likes driving on the Interstate, having clean drinking water, and knowing that if she goes to the market to buy a five-pound sack of flour, it's going to weigh at least five pounds, and it's not going to have plaster, sand, or poison in it. 





Peace be with you,
~VOW

 

I am a tax paying citizen. That should be enough. But noooooo, they always want more. I follow laws, I wear my seatbelt, and drive the speed limit, but now they want to take away my pay, when we REALLY can't afford it, and make me sit in judgement of someone, who I don't know, and have to decide their fate by some factual, or maybe even some non-factual information?! I can't deal with that. What if in 10 years they found out he was not guilty once we convicted him? No thank you. I would rather NOT have that on my shoulders and have someone show up at my house with a gun, thank you very much.
 
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Originally posted by Wolseley

Again, anyone who doesn't happen to like it here is free to leave at any time. In this country, we don't put up concrete walls crowned with concertina wire to keep people from leaving. If you're unhappy here, all you have to do is walk, drive, boat, or fly out. Nobody will stop you.

Wolseley, Wolseley, Wolseley!!

The gist here is it's Fellowship Forum, pal.

The guys like you who have served did their best, I'm sure.

But, the shooting has stopped when you came home.

Here, pal. Have a cup of fresh brewed coffee.

Nobody's attacking you or your country, buddy.

Just airin'.

Yep, you can air, too. But, it would be mighty hard for a man living in this country at my income level to leave even the local area even if I wanted to, man. Things are not a bed of roses for me and a lot of folks. But, I'm simply awaiting the big day when I see the Holy Father's Home. Until then, I do what I can.

I'm a hard-working person who loves physical labor. I have an MBA but I prefer to work with both my mind and my body. Can't do that in an office setting. I made BIG, BIG bucks in the white collar world. But, years ago, I gave everything away to folks and became a hermit. I devote ALL of my time to the Holy Father and work in the retail trade. I'm now penniless and happy. However, I got hurt at work recently (severely injured my neck and shoulder) and I live from day-to-day, hoping I'll have enough to get me food. I ain't complaining, though. Some folks in this country have it a lot rougher than I do, and they didn't choose it to be that way.

Did you read about the shenanigans I wrote about in a post on this thread? It's not really a free country, man.

I chose poverty. Most poor people didn't. God bless them. And, God bless you for doing your part to help and protect this country.

I would hope you would keep your tough remarks for the Apologetics.

You've got a lot of fine, fine qualities and they're sincerely admired. Some guys just have a different experience than you do, buddy.

Patty
 
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I thought you could get out of jury service for religious reasons? Might be wrong on that though.

I've never been called to sit on a jury, though I would quite like to. My mother's been hoping they'll call her all her life, but it hasn't happened yet :)

If its that big a deal for you, smurfy, show up and lie to them - tell them you think everyone the police accuse of a crime is automatically guilty, or automatically innocent, and nothing will change your mind. That will stop you having to serve, no judge in his right mind would allow you to sit if those were your beliefs.

And, my opinion on the other side of this debate...it is the ultimate disloyalty to your country to refuse to speak out when it does wrong. In what way is it loyal to let your country destroy itself? And words can do just as much as actions, sometimes - if enough people say something, things will change.
 
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Originally posted by Divinus
I thought you could get out of jury service for religious reasons? Might be wrong on that though.

I've never been called to sit on a jury, though I would quite like to. My mother's been hoping they'll call her all her life, but it hasn't happened yet :)

If its that big a deal for you, smurfy, show up and lie to them - tell them you think everyone the police accuse of a crime is automatically guilty, or automatically innocent, and nothing will change your mind. That will stop you having to serve, no judge in his right mind would allow you to sit if those were your beliefs.

And, my opinion on the other side of this debate...it is the ultimate disloyalty to your country to refuse to speak out when it does wrong. In what way is it loyal to let your country destroy itself? And words can do just as much as actions, sometimes - if enough people say something, things will change.

Shame on you, Divinus!! :(

Why would anyone encourage someone else to lie? :eek:

It seems that the fact that Smurfy is asking the question in the first place shows clear and unmistakable integrity!! Smurfy didn't even consider telling a lie to get out of it, it seems. And, that's honorable. :angel:

Lying is what gets this country and many other places messed up in the first place. One wrong does not right anything.

You are totally right in your last paragraph!! Yay for you on that one. :clap:
Patty
 
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panterapat

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You can be excused if you are sick or indespensible in your job or family. You can preclude yoursef from being picked by the lawyers by already having an opinion on the case or knowing one of the parties involved.

I wish that I could get onto another jury. I was on one once and it was an exciting and awe inspiring experience.

The legal system NEEDS Christians who will use God's commands as a basis for judgement. Get on that jury and pray for the guidence of the Holy spirit!

In Christ- Patrick
 
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fieldmouse3

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I've been called twice, and both times, I got out of it. The first time, I wasn't registered to vote yet, and I didn't even have a driver's liscence. The second time, it wasn't feasible for me to miss that much work. I had to pay for practically all my own expenses (car, VERY high insurance, clothes, ect.).
 
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Gerry

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But even so, do you still feel it is a privilege and duty to serve when it is feasible?


Originally posted by fieldmouse3
I've been called twice, and both times, I got out of it. The first time, I wasn't registered to vote yet, and I didn't even have a driver's liscence. The second time, it wasn't feasible for me to miss that much work. I had to pay for practically all my own expenses (car, VERY high insurance, clothes, ect.).
 
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GraftMeIn

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I have gotten many notices to serve on jury duty, I get one almost once a year! I have never had to serve though. I usually pray the case will be canceled or settled before the night I have to call in.

Here's a thought to think about. If you were on trial, even for something you had no part of. Wouldn't you like to know there might be a couple of Christians sitting on that jury?
 
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Patty,
Just a thought :)

Alternatively, he could go to them and just say his religious beliefs mean he is highly uncomfortable with serving, that he really does not want to and believes it to be wrong - and my guess is that they would allow him not to serve. I know that if I were choosing, I would consider that a valid reason if for no other thought than, if you really don't want to serve you might just say "yeah, whatever" to the things the other jurors are saying, in order to get the trial over with as soon as possible. As that subverts the principle of having a jury, my guess is that they'd let him off.

I suspect there is a clause allowing people to get out of serving due to religious beliefs, though - don't Jehovah's Witnesses not serve? Or is that just voting?
 
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Hey Divinus,

I am not aware of any religious exemption to serving on a jury.

Ooh. I just looked up an old summons I received. It says this:

Eligibility for Jury Service:
California Code of Civil Procedures Section 204 states:
"No eligible person shall be exempt from service as a trial juror by reason of occupation, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or economical status, or for any other reason."

Patty
 
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Also folks,

If you enjoy the benefits of living in the United States, remember:
With the benefits come obligations. You can't just take what you feel is good and shuck off the stuff you don't like. It comes as a package.

And, this principle applies in many other things one engages in or participates in.

If you sincerely don't like something about the way things are done in this country, then use the avenues available to make a difference.

It may be too late for Smurfy to get out of jury duty, but she sure can pursue making an effort to investigate the system, both to understand it or to recommend changes. After her efforts, she might even applaud it.


Patty
 
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Bruno

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Mercy triumphs over judgment! (James 2:13)

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. (Matt 7:1)

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
(Luke 6:36-38)

 

So no matter what this person did, I would have to stick to: "God will judge them, it is not up to me."
 
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HesMyAll

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If I were unjustly accused of something, I would certainly hope that there were Christians on the jury.  A Christian would seek God regarding their decision.  I would certainly want someone to do that if I were on trial.
 
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Hey folks,

Please ask yourselves this:

What's the matter with a country that REQUIRES its citizens to participate AGAINST THEIR WILLS in a system that they consider offensive?

My answer: A lot.

This is NOT the finest country in the world.
There's a lot wrong with it.
To serve on jury duty against one's will is, in my opinion, involuntary servitude. And, that's unconstitutional.

I did serve on a jury, as I had previously stated, although I didn't want to. I made an effort to learn what I could about the service. However, I feel it's wrong to mandate that folks serve. Is there anything any one (or group) of us can do to improve this situation? NOPE. That makes it wrong.

Patty
 
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seebs

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I don't see it as any more immoral than taxes, traffic laws, and the like. It is necessary for a society to run that citizens contribute to the running of the society.

I like the idea of trial by a jury of your peers; if that means I have to serve on a jury a few times, well, that's fine by me.
 
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4jc

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I wish I could be called for jury duty, it would be an honor to.
No more complaining that someone did not get a fair trial, you are part of that fair trial.
If it were I who were charged(guilty or not), I would rather have christian in the jury box. At least we all know you of all the jurers would vote after praying and hearing from God.
Go for it
 
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