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A Vermont man has escaped jury duty—by getting dismissed for wearing a prisoner costume. James Lowe of Barnet says he was released from jury duty yesterday when he showed up to court wearing a black-and-white-striped jumpsuit with a matching beanie. The Caledonian Record reports that Lowe showed up on time and joined other prospective jurors before the start of the selection process. Deputies directed him to an empty courtroom to meet with the judge, who told him to leave.
The sad state of affairs is that people support the government's right to force people to serve as jurors for $10-$12 a day. In my area, the court does not provide free parking or lunch for jurors so when that expense is factored in, I am being forced to spend my own money to serve as a slave for the government for as long as they see fit. My employer also doesn't pay my salary while I am out for jury duty so I am unable to earn an income that my family needs to survive. If the government was willing to pay a fair wage like $20 an hour, that would be a reasonable compromise even though it still would not fully cover my losses.
The current level of juror pay is an insult. If I am unable to get out of future jury service, I will automatically vote "not guilty" in a criminal trial and take the defendants side in any civil matter. I may be unable to avoid becoming their slave, but nothing prevents me from acting like a rebellious one.
It would be ironic if that criminal defendant then committed a crime against you or yours, or if that civil defendant was able to bamboozle you.
I've always thought.. Every time I've been called to jury duty, they ask if anyone has ever been convicted of a felony.. And, about every time, someone has stood up, and they're just immediately dismissed.. I've wondered, if you wanted to get out.. Stand up when they ask that.. Doesn't look like they actually check to verify..
Now, if they DID check.. You're likely looking at a contempt charge..
The current level of juror pay is an insult. If I am unable to get out of future jury service, I will automatically vote "not guilty" in a criminal trial and take the defendants side in any civil matter. I may be unable to avoid becoming their slave, but nothing prevents me from acting like a rebellious one.
This "it's only about me" attitude is the true sad state of affairs in the USA these days. Hopefully if you ever have the misfortune of being in court, you don't end up with jurors with the same pathetic attitude as to what doing civic duty means.
I hate that all these people get called to jury duty and try to get out of it, and I have been waiting to do it since I have turned 18 and never got the chance.
I hate that all these people get called to jury duty and try to get out of it, and I have been waiting to do it since I have turned 18 and never got the chance.
I turn 49 later this year and this is the first time I have gotten the summons. I always moved around too much before to be in one place long enough I guess.
I wouldn't want to get caught up in a casey anthony type trial but I wouldnt mind being on a jury for a few days.
This "it's only about me" attitude is the true sad state of affairs in the USA these days. Hopefully if you ever have the misfortune of being in court, you don't end up with jurors with the same pathetic attitude as to what doing civic duty means.
Yea well, when you live paycheck to paycheck and support a family and your employer doesn't pay for that day or days missed for jury duty, its not about "me" its about "my family" at that point. I can't afford to take unpaid sick days, but I have to bite the bullet for jury duty?! Nope. Now, if jury duty happened to fall on one of my days off, I'll gladly do it. But if it means missing several days at work and later finding out your paycheck is so small that rent will be late, that's what I have a problem with. It has nothing to do with a "me" attitude but a "my family can't afford me to take several unpaid days off" attitude.
oddly enough I've never gotten a summons. I'd just mention jury nullification and probably get ejected. I don't believe in the war on drugs so any drug possession case I'll likely push nullification.
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