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I have been summoned exactly twice in the 13 years I've been a resident in Lincoln County and they came about two years apart. I had to fill out a very lengthy questionare that came with the summons EACH TIME, making me wonder why they couldn't keep the first one on file?
In both cases I was excused (won't give others ideas by saying how) and no one challenged the excuse I gave for not being eligible to serve. I did not offer any proof (doctor's statement, etc) in order to be believed. But believe me when I say that if I was the defendant I would NOT want someone like me in the jury panel!
I was recently informed about how jury duty works in New Mexico.
It depends on which court you have been selected for and the location. I have been selected once and my wife has been selected twice, for the "Thirteenth Judicial District Court" as we live in Sandoval County. My wife appeared for the orientation for a few hours on each time. I appeared in four different cases. I believe the entire period was three months, call in on Friday night to see if you were needed. We had a previously planned vacation and I had some doctors appointments, we were excused with no problems. At that time, around 2001, Judge Brown stated to the Jury that you should not have to serve again for a long time unless you wanted to, my wife could have gotten out of her second selection because of the time she previously served (I think about five years). Since we live less than five miles from the court house, travel, traffic parking etc was not an issue for us.
My decision to serve my community is a personal issue for me.
Heh. I have to report for a JURY SUMMONS today at 3:30 pm
at the Metropolitan Court, 401 Lomas Blvd, NW.
The NOTICE says:
------------------------------------------------------------
ANY PERSON WILLFULLY FAILING TO REPORT AT THE TIME
STATED ABOVE MAY BE PUNISHED FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT.
This can result in fines up to $500 and/or up to 6 months in jail.
(NMSA 1978, 31-19-1)
------------------------------------------------------------
[ ... deletia ... ]
Request for Excusal:
If you have an extreme mental, physical or financial hardship, please fill out ALL forms. Return completed packet to the Jury Division. Please specify your reason for requesting an excuse. All medical reasons must have a Doctor's letter attached. Until you have received notification from the Court, you are not excused.
[ ... deletia ... ]
Juror Fees and Payments
The Court is authorized by statute to reimburse for jury service at the prevailing state minimum wage which is currently $7.50 per hour ...
In the forms I had to fill out, there was this part:
REQUEST FOR POSTPONEMENT OR EXCUSAL
:::
[X] Students ( request to be postponed until school breaks )
:::
I checked that box since CNM summer session just started last week.
The letter I got back said that they regretfully, could not postpone
my service, so I will have to go in and act crazy today as Mike
advised/suggested. I haven't shaved for four days now. I'll be
wearing my Beavis and Butthead T-Shirt. When they see the
uncanney resembalance that I have to Beavis ( on the shirt ),
I'm sure I'll get my postponement to December.
This is a terrible system. I bet many don't even know about this lengthy time period that one could be called. Obviously one couldn't just pick up and go on a vacation or holiday during these months. I never thought of Jury Duty and the impact it can have when considering where to retire. I don't think I would care for such a system as this. Doing your part is one thing, but putting your life on hold for several months is ridiculous. The hell with that. Im surprised local residents haven't demanded a more reasonable approach to fullfilling one's Jury Duty.
It is totally ridiculous. The form I got for Otero County contained 36 questions (some of which were really none of their business), another form to fill out, and service for SIX months.
I was excused (don't ask!!), but I had to call them to find out. They had excused me without letting me know, and then said they would get me a card in the mail, but they never even did that.
Sloppy, lackadasical system......but I am not at all surprised.
I bet many don't even know about this lengthy time period that one could be called.
It's a matter of public record. It varies by court and locations. It's on the court web sites.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimrob1
Obviously one couldn't just pick up and go on a vacation or holiday during these months.
Obviously you are wrong. Did you not read:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poncho_NM
I believe the entire period was three months, call in on Friday night to see if you were needed. We had a previously planned vacation and I had some doctors appointments, we were excused with no problems.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimrob1
I never thought of Jury Duty and the impact it can have when considering where to retire. I don't think I would care for such a system as this.
Well, glad you became aware of it. Just how is the system which you might be aware of?
I was excused (don't ask!!), but I had to call them to find out. They had excused me without letting me know, and then said they would get me a card in the mail, but they never even did that.
Not much different from Lincoln County. The first time I was called I did get a follow-up letter or form saying I'd been excused. The second time I sent in the questionnaire, I never heard another thing and forgot all about it. And as I already said, I didn't like having to fill out that long form a second time!
Not much different from Lincoln County. The first time I was called I did get a follow-up letter or form saying I'd been excused. The second time I sent in the questionnaire, I never heard another thing and forgot all about it. And as I already said, I didn't like having to fill out that long form a second time!
If I get another--I'll just copy the first one and return it. It is ridiculous to have to fill that crap out more than once!
But the fact that they didn't even bother to let me know speaks volumes. I was lucky to get a callback the same day I left a message.
It appears that the system could be standardized within the state.
The different approaches by each county appear to be a problem.
When I went yesterday, the room was packed with about
200 people or so.
People lined up to get a day off here or there for previously
scheduled appointments and all got their 'pass' for that day
with smiles and no problems.
They pay for parking and while you are waiting, you get to play on
your laptop with wi-fi, read a book, and you can bring your lunch.
A couple of people - like me - asked for a postponement and also got
them with no questions asked. The people working there were much
more friendly and helpful than their ridiculous and threatening forms.
:
........................ I don't have to report till December now - yippie!
On a side note, there was a guy in a suit walking slowly up to the
door in the shade on the North Side of the building on 401 Lomas.
It was Doug Vaughn - all alone with no reporters sticking microphones
in his stupid face. I was tempted to ask him if his "new" venture
would be offering the same great 25% ROI that his "old" venture
provided and that I would really really like to get in on that.
It appears that the system could be standardized within the state.
The different approaches by each county appear to be a problem.
When I went yesterday, the room was packed with about
200 people or so.
People lined up to get a day off here or there for previously
scheduled appointments and all got their 'pass' for that day
with smiles and no problems.
They pay for parking and while you are waiting, you get to play on
your laptop with wi-fi, read a book, and you can bring your lunch.
A couple of people - like me - asked for a postponement and also got
them with no questions asked. The people working there were much
more friendly and helpful than their ridiculous and threatening forms.
:
........................ I don't have to report till December now - yippie!
On a side note, there was a guy in a suit walking slowly up to the
door in the shade on the North Side of the building on 401 Lomas.
It was Doug Vaughn - all alone with no reporters sticking microphones
in his stupid face. I was tempted to ask him if his "new" venture
would be offering the same great 25% ROI that his "old" venture
provided and that I would really really like to get in on that.
who is Doug Vaughn
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