Jury duty in Ellsworth? (automobile, business, counties)

[slyfox2]

Originally Posted by Pammyd

A great idea for all courts no matter where they are, is to hire a permanent jury of say 24 people and rotate the two juries from case to case. In between trials, find them clerical work to do. It would give 24 people jobs and relieve the burden of having to pick new juries every time. Here in the city it would work amazingly well....lots of crime in certain areas so would generate tons of work!

I had a friend who was called to a grad jury in Philadelphia back in the 90's. She was a school teacher, and the district there had to hire a permanent sub for her on thursday and friday of every week for a year. They team taught. She was there on M, T, W, and the sub was there on T, F. The court system put her up every week at a hotel in Philly on Thursday nights, and paid her transportation. It lasted for 12 long months. I hope she never ever had to do jury duty ever again.

So maybe the process that picked me up was when I registered my Car last in 2011?

[Coaster]

Sly, jurors are usually chosen from the voter registration rolls. I suspect there is a "do not call" list in some counties of people they know would be disqualified anyway, such as reporters. During my time in the news business, I was never once called for jury duty. A year after I left, I got called for a federal District Court trial.

[Maine Writer]

Frequently Asked Questions | District of Maine | United States District Court

[American girl]

I was called for the federal grand jury a number of years ago. I told them I worked for the newspaper - kinda hoping to be let off the year long stint. They told me they didn't care where I worked because if I divulged what went on in the grand jury room I would be prosecuted for blabbing. I went up to Bangor two or three days a month for 18 months. It was a fascinating experience and greatly expanded my knowledge of the process. And, I finally understood the joke about any decent DA being able to get a ham sandwich indicted!

We should welcome the opportunity to serve. It is sometimes inconvenient but how much time have we wasted at something far less important?

[Newdaawn]

I have been in the jury pool many times over the years but only actually served on 2 cases. Both of them for drunk drivers. The very first case was years ago when my kids were 3 and 6 and they were looking for a jury for a woman accused of killing yer small child. Thank God I didn't get picked for that one. I never resented being called as it is the fairest system there is for the accused.

[RMoore007]

I've served three times. I always get picked. I must look like a sucker for justice or something. I had a rape case for two weeks, a drunk driving case for one week and a burglary/mall/security case for one week. Last month, I was called again. I had to recuse myself this time for personal financial reasons but would have liked to serve again. It's always a kick in the pants to me. I don't usually get to see the system at work. It's fascinating how everything lays out and comes to an end with a verdict. It's a little like tv only different.

[bangorme]

Originally Posted by RMoore007

I've served three times.

I've never been called for jury duty! I've always been registered to vote, and lived most of my working life (40 years) in Maine. Funny how that works, but I like it so far.

[slyfox2]

Originally Posted by Newdaawn

I have been in the jury pool many times over the years but only actually served on 2 cases. Both of them for drunk drivers. The very first case was years ago when my kids were 3 and 6 and they were looking for a jury for a woman accused of killing yer small child. Thank God I didn't get picked for that one. I never resented being called as it is the fairest system there is for the accused.

I doubt whether they would choose me for a drunk driver, since I was hit by one. I had to have surgery later because of it, and the knee still bothers me. This means I'm biased against them.

[slyfox2]

Someone else on this forum told me that they were also chosen locally for the district court and that they had to do 7 cases in 14 days. From their description once they decide I am a good choice, nothing I can say to them, whether I'm an A Class Bigot, whether I know the defendant, nothing will deter them from choosing me.

I'm interested in serving, but I do have some interesting views. In Mid Atlantic where I came from, lawyers were pretty picky about who they would take. But is possible that the jury pool here is much smaller. After all just a medium size city there is equal to the largest city in all of Maine.

[Newdaawn]

Slyfox - I think "everone" should be biased about drunk drivers. I have NO tolarance for them or for those that cause injuries and crashes while texting.