Jury Duty-Pierce County Superior Court (Everett, Spanaway: felony, lawyers, home)

[azgkrudi]

Well, I got the summons...not happy about it but just want to know what to expect. Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge of what to expect? I have already read everything that the court supplied -- in print and online -- but want to hear from an actual person who has been through this, at this particular courthouse. (I've been summoned in multiple other states in the past so I know the drill elsewhere.)

[Diana Holbrook]

I served on a jury and it was a fascinating, rewarding experience. I can't figure out why people try to get out of it. It's interesting! Do it!

In Pierce County, if you get called in you'll sit in a room with others, and there are tables with jigsaw puzzles in various states of completion. They help pass the time until you're either called up, or released.

[mschrief]

Originally Posted by azgkrudi

Well, I got the summons...not happy about it but just want to know what to expect. Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge of what to expect? I have already read everything that the court supplied -- in print and online -- but want to hear from an actual person who has been through this, at this particular courthouse. (I've been summoned in multiple other states in the past so I know the drill elsewhere.)

Expect a long wait every day. You may get in a jury where you are questioned. If not picked, return to the pit. I did a two week stretch, never picked for a jury.

Never seen so many weirdos in spandex in my LIFE. Bring your lunch as there isnt anywhere to eat other than a crappy McDonalds up the street. Parking also is terrible. I was lucky that my husband dropped me off and picked me up - driving from Spanaway every day.

Glad I live in TX now!

[PS90]

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

I served on a jury and it was a fascinating, rewarding experience. I can't figure out why people try to get out of it. It's interesting! Do it!

In Pierce County, if you get called in you'll sit in a room with others, and there are tables with jigsaw puzzles in various states of completion. They help pass the time until you're either called up, or released.

Well, let's see... Long waits, most cases are ridiculously boring, lots of bureaucracy, forced to take time off from your job for less than minimum wage, being stuck in a small room with a bunch of strangers, crappy food...

[elkotronics]

I was picked to serve on a jury at the Snohomish County Courthouse in Everett, WA, way back in the late 90's. The whole process takes many, many hours to get going. You're huddled together with several strangers in a room that has magazines in it and there may have been a TV going up above to look at. First order of business is the lawyers have to choose their jury selections. There's a process for that, and it involves asking potential jurors several questions. Eventually all the jurors needed are selected for duty. The people not chosen are then free to leave. I think they can stay and watch the trial if they wish, not sure about that. Most people go home or back to work if not chosen.

I was chosen to be a juror for this particular case. It was about a drunk driving charge against someone who decided to fight the charge in court. You wanna guess how it came out? You got it - guilty as charged. The guy was seen drinking at an Everett bar from around 9:00PM till closing time at 2:00AM. Then headed out in his panel van and was seen by a rookie State Patrol cop tailgating at least one driver on the Highway 2 trestle going eastbound towards Lake Stevens. The ticket was wrote right near where you have a choice of turning right towards Snohomish on the trestle.

There really was no argument for him - we were 5-1 guilty. One holdout, a Boeing mechanic, voted on this guy's side. So we needed our vote to be unanimous - we were told to keep deliberating until everyone agree on a guilty or innocent charge. After a few more hours - believe it or not the time went pretty quickly - our vote was 6-0 guilty. And the guy was found guilty by jury of drunken driving. It was not a charge anyone would want on their record, but not a tough one for us to make. Overall it was a cool experience - once the jury was selected things got fun. That's the only time I was selected to be on a jury. I was happy to serve on the jury that day and will never forget the experience. It was a "one of a kind" experience for me.

[Diana Holbrook]

Originally Posted by PS90

Well, let's see... Long waits, most cases are ridiculously boring, lots of bureaucracy, forced to take time off from your job for less than minimum wage, being stuck in a small room with a bunch of strangers, crappy food...

Oh such suffering! Forced to take time off! Stuck in a room! Fed food! Made to talk to strangers!

Most trials are a day or two. And most people who have done it are glad to have done it. But you are free (yes, really free) to get out of it if you want. I just think it's short sighted and small minded to try. And I don't get it.

[Diana Holbrook]

Originally Posted by elkotronics

Overall it was a cool experience - once the jury was selected things got fun. That's the only time I was selected to be on a jury. I was happy to serve on the jury that day and will never forget the experience. It was a "one of a kind" experience for me.

Agreed. I sat on a jury for a guy who stole other people's Christmas presents - and few guns - out of cars at Christmas time. There were multiple charges... Still was just a couple days start to finish. We went through each charge and convicted. No question he stole the stuff. All felonies. I think it was his 3rd strike through about 7 or 8, so I expect he's still in. The guy was a habitual menace to our peace and our system depends on participation by society to make it work. It was very interesting. If asked, I would do it again.

[elkotronics]

Agreed. I sat on a jury for a guy who stole other people's Christmas presents - and few guns - out of cars at Christmas time. There were multiple charges... Still was just a couple days start to finish. We went through each charge and convicted. No question he stole the stuff. All felonies. I think it was his 3rd strike through about 7 or 8, so I expect he's still in. The guy was a habitual menace to our peace and our system depends on participation by society to make it work. It was very interesting. If asked, I would do it again.

I would do this again, too. I can't remember if we were done the same day - I think we were done by 4:30PM or so. Or we finished by noon the 2nd day - can't remember - it's been too many years. I was paid less money than I made at Boeing, but, this isn't about the money, is it? I'm glad we got something for it. The experience was so interesting that it made it all worth it. Wouldn't have missed it for the world.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

Oh such suffering! Forced to take time off! Stuck in a room! Fed food! Made to talk to strangers!

Most trials are a day or two. And most people who have done it are glad to have done it. But you are free (yes, really free) to get out of it if you want. I just think it's short sighted and small minded to try. And I don't get it.

I don't know about Realtors, but I certainly contribute more for my community doing my everyday job, than I would if I am stuck deciding the fate of one small-time criminal stealing Christmas presents. So yes, I would gladly try to get out of it without any guilt.

[Diana Holbrook]

Originally Posted by PS90

I don't know about Realtors, but I certainly contribute more for my community doing my everyday job, than I would if I am stuck deciding the fate of one small-time criminal stealing Christmas presents. So yes, I would gladly try to get out of it without any guilt.

You think dealing with criminals who steal the property and joy of other people (small time? - These were felony level thefts including guns) is a waste of your time? A day out of your life? OK. Your freedom. Spend it as you want... here, maybe. As I said, I just don't get it.

My two cents.