What to do about deferring DC jury duty?

[Anonymous]

I got summoned for jury duty (Petit 1) but will be away on that date. As I understand the rules, I can propose a date that's not more than 90 days furher out, and assuming they approve it, I can show up then instead.

Does anyone on here know:
-- Is there any reason they may not approve my proposed deferral date?
-- I travel a lot. If I have to pick a deferral date in July, August or September, is it just totally random luck of the draw, or is one of these less likely to lead to having to serve on a long trial?
-- How many days should I make sure to leave between my proposed deferral date and a trip?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Both my H and I have had to defer jury duty. We were able to choose a specific date, though it has to be the same day of the week...so if you were called in on a Tuesday, your deferred date needs to be a Tuesday. I believe they say to plan up to 5 days for a jury. My H served on a jury for his last one and it was three days: the day he reported, then two full days for the trial.

More info here:
http://www.dccourts.gov/internet/jurors/petitjury/main.jsf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both my H and I have had to defer jury duty. We were able to choose a specific date, though it has to be the same day of the week...so if you were called in on a Tuesday, your deferred date needs to be a Tuesday. I believe they say to plan up to 5 days for a jury. My H served on a jury for his last one and it was three days: the day he reported, then two full days for the trial.

More info here:
http://www.dccourts.gov/internet/jurors/petitjury/main.jsf

Thank you. I can't find anything that says what time jurors can expect to go home each day. I'm trying to figure out if I will be done in time to pick up my children from camp. I assume the child care at the court is best avoided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both my H and I have had to defer jury duty. We were able to choose a specific date, though it has to be the same day of the week...so if you were called in on a Tuesday, your deferred date needs to be a Tuesday. I believe they say to plan up to 5 days for a jury. My H served on a jury for his last one and it was three days: the day he reported, then two full days for the trial.

More info here:
http://www.dccourts.gov/internet/jurors/petitjury/main.jsf

Thank you. I can't find anything that says what time jurors can expect to go home each day. I'm trying to figure out if I will be done in time to pick up my children from camp. I assume the child care at the court is best avoided.

Also, it says to show up at 8am. Does anyone know if that is just for the first day, or if it applies to each day of the trial? Is there any leeway in that arrival time?

[Anonymous]

It is every day. But chances are you won't end up serving on a jury and you'll be released early on the first day. I get called every 2 years (exactly-that's how small the DC pool is) but only went through the voir dire process and served as a juror one time (for a 2 day trial). But yeah, you need to figure out contingency plans (with your kids, work, etc.) just in case...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both my H and I have had to defer jury duty. We were able to choose a specific date, though it has to be the same day of the week...so if you were called in on a Tuesday, your deferred date needs to be a Tuesday. I believe they say to plan up to 5 days for a jury. My H served on a jury for his last one and it was three days: the day he reported, then two full days for the trial.

More info here:
http://www.dccourts.gov/internet/jurors/petitjury/main.jsf

Thank you. I can't find anything that says what time jurors can expect to go home each day. I'm trying to figure out if I will be done in time to pick up my children from camp. I assume the child care at the court is best avoided.

Also, it says to show up at 8am. Does anyone know if that is just for the first day, or if it applies to each day of the trial? Is there any leeway in that arrival time?

In the unlikely event you get on a jury (I'm 1 for 8) the reporting time can vary depending on what else the judge has going on but generally they begin at 9AM. But it takes time to get through security so 9AM really means arriving 15 minutes before that.

The one trial I was on were were out at 4 every day if I recall correctly and 4 is also the latest I've had to wait around to find out if I got on a jury but most days you get released earlier. But as I understand it if the jury is deliberating they can be held later if the judge has reason to believe they are close to reaching their verdicts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is every day. But chances are you won't end up serving on a jury and you'll be released early on the first day. I get called every 2 years (exactly-that's how small the DC pool is) but only went through the voir dire process and served as a juror one time (for a 2 day trial). But yeah, you need to figure out contingency plans (with your kids, work, etc.) just in case...

Thanks. Did you leave at 5pm on the days you were serving on a trial, or earlier/later?

[Anonymous]

Got a jury summons today. Have no plans to ever serve. BTDT will never do it again.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP. Yes, we were dismissed at 5pm on the days we actually served. Likethe other poster, on the days I was just waiting in the jurors' lounge to see if I'd be called, we were dismissed at 4. I remember the staff repeatedly telling us those were the appointed times, and I was never pressured to stay beyond those times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Got a jury summons today. Have no plans to ever serve. BTDT will never do it again.

You do realize that it is not up to you and you could put yourself in legal jeopardy if you lie to avoid getting on a jury?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Got a jury summons today. Have no plans to ever serve. BTDT will never do it again.

Way to be an American.

[Anonymous]

You are stressing about it too much. The courts know we are all busy people. Pick a different date - if you have a conflict again you pick a different date. They are willing to work with you - serving should not require undue stress.

[Anonymous]

can you imagine to be on trial and have a jury deciding your fate....

your life in the hands of 12 people not smart enough to get out of jury duty...

Scary thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:can you imagine to be on trial and have a jury deciding your fate....

your life in the hands of 12 people not smart enough to get out of jury duty...

Scary thought.

Nah. I was hoping to serve, but I keep getting booted. I usually know a few people called on the same day. Two very smart friends were picked the most recent time I was booted. My DH served twice (very smart guy). Not all smart people disregard our civic duty. Truly smart people show up and serve.

[Anonymous]

I'm the only person I know who wants to get jury duty and has never gotten it. I've only been summoned twice and both times when I called in to see if I had to report the next day, my number wasn't selected.