Jury Duty in Camden (city hall, daycare, lawyers)

[njrezsince03]

Hello all, I have Jury Duty in Camden next week--for first time!! Does anyone have recent experience doing this? Someone just told me better to take PATCO. . .said the Jury Parking lot is a mess! If I do that, is it better to get off at City Hall or Broadway? Is one any safer than the other?
Also, do jurors bring their lunches? Or are there any places to buy decent food?
Appreciate any input!!

[templeu]

I just did Jury duty and thought the parking lot was just fine. It was basically empty and just a block away from the court house.

They do not provide lunch, but give an hour or so for you to go and get lunch. I wound up going to some pizza place a few blocks away from the court house with some of the other folks who were there for the day.

They never called my number, so I just sat in the waiting room all day. I would suggest bringing something to read or work on, in the event you also wind up sitting around all day.

[Ms_Christina]

I just did it too. I took PATCO to City Hall, walked across the street and its right there. You check in then sit and wait for your number to be called. They give a lot of direction so don't worry.

Bring your phone, ipad or kindle so as not to be bored. They have the TV on as well. No one really talks to each other. The people that did talk to me just wanted to complain about jury duty so I just smiled and went back to reading.

My number was called, went up the elevator to the room. Filled out a questionaire. It was a murder case that would take 4 weeks. I told the judge i didn't have the money for daycare ( I'm a stay at home mom) I was excused and had to go back down stairs. It kinda sucked because I did want to serve but I couldn't afford 4 weeks of daycare.

BE RESPECTFUL OF THE JUDGE. Ours was a hard ass. She told us to be quiet, sit our purses on the floor, even told us to turn our questionnaires over and listen to her. She yelled at people who didn't do what she wanted. I left early on, but I wouldn't be surprised if those people were not added to the jury just because they didn't listen.

As I went to go sit back down the lady at the front had us all go to lunch. There are a bunch of food trucks outside. There is a Bank across the street with an ATM. Very safe.

I got a slice of pizza, drink and granola bar for $5 or so. You can also buy food in the little snack area in the building (cash only). They really don't have much.

So after lunch I sat down again in the jury room. At about 3:00pm they said they had all the jurors they needed. You lined up at the podium and they handed you your letter that said you served. (Keep that in case you get another summons this year)

I went across the street, got on PATCO, went home. Easy Peasy.

Parking is not hard either but traffic sucks in the morning and I didn't want to deal with it. in 2005 I did drive. It was fine but I told myself next time take PATCO, it's easier.

[Ms_Christina]

PS There are a ton of jurors, cops, lawyers etc... all around. Its very safe.

[NJGOAT]

Originally Posted by Ms_Christina

PS There are a ton of jurors, cops, lawyers etc... all around. Its very safe.

That whole area around the courthouse, transportation center, Rutgers, waterfront, etc. is pretty safe. I wouldn't want to wander around there at night, but it's not a big deal during the day.

[frankgn87]

Its fine. I did it for Jury duty last year. Took the riverline right to the courthouse. Easy piezy

[tarp]

Remember your right to jury nullification - if you don't agree with the law (e.g. a law making marijuana, which is safer than alcohol or tobacco, illegal), you can vote not guilty even if you believe the person did violate the law. The idea is that the government cannot convict someone of a violating an unjust law, and the juror is the ultimate "check and balance." This is a right that goes back centuries and you have an absolute right to jury nullification.