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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.
I'm surprised the Judge didn't tell the guy, "well since you already have the uniform, why don't you spend a day in jail." Really dumb. Serving on a jury is your civic duty in the U.S. I don't understand why so may people try to get out of it.
Forget contempt of court. They should have sent him to the loony bin.
And what a sad state of affairs that some think its okay to shirk jury duty--so that someone else will have to do it.
It's that old producer vs. taker thing all over again...
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.
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.
I just got my first ever Jury Summons and I am excited for it. I can't believe people try to get out of it!
I just got my first ever Jury Summons and I am excited for it. I can't believe people try to get out of it!
Good for you, that is why it should be a voluntary service instead of compulsory. If the government put even a tiny amount of effort into searching, they would find enough people like you that want to serve that it would not be necessary to resort to the use of force on the unwilling.
I just got my first ever Jury Summons and I am excited for it. I can't believe people try to get out of it!
I spent four months on a Grand Jury and enjoyed every minute of it. It was interesting, educational and rewarding. And I felt good that I was participating as a citizen in our justice system.
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think its okay to shirk jury duty--so that someone else will have to do it.
