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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Jury Duty is OVER! Yay!

Mom is furry happy that her jury service is over.  She got her first summons to serve during finals week in December 2007.  California's prospective jurors can post-pone one time for each time summoned, so Mom elected to start her jury service on March 17, 2008 (the official "first" day of her vacation).  Since it's "holy week" for Christians and Catholics, it seemed like a good time as the court calendar would likely be light.  Mom was right.  She didn't have to report yesterday, but she did have to report today.

She arrived before 7:30 AM and sailed through the metal detectors.  She cooled her heels for two-and-a-half hours in the jury lounge and observed some local folks who AREN'T member of the "brain trust" (many of whom couldn't read and comprehend even the most basic of instructions:  "Pick up a pencil and a plastic badge ... and have a seat" was too confusing).

At 10:00 AM, the clerk called EVERYONE'S name and sent the whole lot up to Department 15 where all of the prospective jurors were instructed to "mill around" for a half hour before being seated by the baliff.  The judge swept in and told everyone in the courtroom that the defendant had copped a plea ... and everyone was dismissed to go home.

Yay!  Mom is back an' jury duty is over 'til the next time.

Further info:  Mom has had jury duty about seven times.  She NEVER gets a case 'cuz she always knows someone who is involved with the case:  Arresting officer, lawyer, witness, defendant.  She's worked in the Chula Vista area for twenty-two years an' for those of you who know the area, Chula Vista is very enmeshed.  It seems that you're always crossing paths with someone you know from somewhere.

Typically, Mom has to report to the courthouse and then sits about all day until getting dismissed.  Last time, she got through part of the voir dire process before asking to speak to the judge in chambers because she knew the defendant (he was the dad of one of her honor society students) and the case was an EEEWWWWW-type of case.  She was "dismissed for cause" ...

It's likely that she'll get called again in a year 'cuz California is a one day/one case state and you can be called every year.  

Mom always tries to get her duty post-poned until a vacation 'cuz it's really hard to get a substitute.

13 comments:

Daisy said...

Hooray! My Mommie said Jury Duty is No Fun. She had to serve on a very serious case one time and heard some yucky stuff.

Dr Tweety of da Fab Five said...

Good ting. Jury duty iz our momeez duty but it can be furry diffy-cult & stressfull. I tink your momee justee eggscaped in time.

meemsnyc said...

glad your mom's jury duty is over! I had to do Jury duty for 3 days once!

Beethoven said...

Ooh...mine Mummy tells me we has no jury duties here. Here, someone gets paid to do all those jurying work. Which is good because jury duty sounds like you've got to sit still there for a long long time!

Just Ducky said...

that is good that your mum's jury duty is done. Mum says that she has done it twice. Both times she sat around for a few days, never did a trial, then was sent home.

Jans Funny Farm said...

We're glad your mom is home and able to pay attention to you and you alone again.

Parker said...

Wow, all that for nothin'!

The Taylor CatSSSSS said...

We are glad that your Mommy's duty is done! Now she can play with you!!!

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

Yeah, The Big Thing says he hadda do that once. He sat in a crowded room wif bad chairs fer almost 2 whole days. The 3rd day, the Beins got brought to a very fancy room. One of the Beans said he didnt like TBT an sent him home. For good!

The Devil Dog said...

Wow, that is really cool. Mom and dad have never been called, yet. But of course, now that I've said that they'll be called.

Roxy

The Cat Realm said...

We are glad she is back! Have a wonderful day!

Anonymous said...

our Lady wented one day just offur a yeer ago, but she didn't effun get outta the furrst room. she had a whole day of reeding. purrty not bad.

Forty Paws said...

Scary to think that those who aren't members of the "brain trust" could decide someone's future. Especially if the person is wrongfully convicted which seems to happen a lot in Dallasssss County.

Luf, Us