STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kari · Dooney & Bourke

Federal Jury Duty

HeatherLynn · Gucci

My dad served on a federal case during jury duty once. He said it was very interesting and enjoyed it more than the state case he was on. Personally, I feel that we have a civic duty to serve on a jury so I would fill out the form and if you get called explain that you are a law student and it would cause you to miss classes. If they say sorry you still have to serve, then you serve. JMO though. I'm jealous though- I really want to serve!!

Bastet · Kate Spade

I got contacted for state jury duty near my law school exams. I lived over 2 hours away from my home county and dreaded having to reschedule exams. So I told the lady who called me that I was a law student and she immediately took me off the list, which I thought was kind of odd.

I don't know if they do the same thing for Federal. Tell them that you're in law school. I don't know if that will remove you from their list, but you can ask them if they can defer your service until you graduate. I think that they can do that. But, I'm not entirely sure.

Kari · Dooney & Bourke

I would really enjoy serving on the jury...I won't be able to once I am a lawyer (in OK state court anyway), so I think it would be really cool to get to be on before then. However, I can only miss so many classes without being dropped.

I filled out the form...it was just basic info...we'll see what happens.

Hermione · Kate Spade

FYI, i'm pretty sure the school can't drop you or count classes as missed b/c of jury duty - just like it's illegal to fire someone if they miss work b/c of jury duty.

valenciana · Dooney & Bourke

i don't think missing classes is considered a valid excuse, though i think you can sometimes reschedule your jury duty. however, if you mention law school to anyone during selection, you will probably be dismissed. the attorneys don't want anyone who might know as much as they do.

alternatively, you could just yell out, "he's guilty as sin" at random intervals...that would probably work too. ;)

LA Gal · Kenneth Cole

i got called for jury duty (state courts) while i was in law school and they wouldn't let me out of it...i'd been told by friends in school that if you tell them that you're law school, they'll let you go. but the clerk really didn't care that i was in law school at the time. luckily, i randomly didn't get selected for a case and was let out a few hours later.

but in california, it's not a valid reason to get out of jury duty.

Bastet · Kate Spade

valenciana wrote:

alternatively, you could just yell out, "he's guilty as sin" at random intervals...that would probably work too. ;)

I've heard saying stuff like "The police are *always* right." works pretty well too. I think I'd have a hard time serving on a jury. The temptation to strangle stupid jurors would be overwhelming. The last time my mom was on a jury, she was disgusted. She told me that most of the deliberation time was spent arguing over who got to be foreperson, because three people really, really wanted to get up and read the verdict. She also said that one woman suggested that the Prosecutor was better looking than the Public Defender, so they should "all vote against the defendant." Apparently no one really wanted to discuss the facts of the case!