Jury Duty: how often can they call you in NYC???
LG
I hope that someone can help me. I was called for and reported to
jury duty in NYC in November 1996. About a month ago, I got another
document from the courts asking for information, including the last
date jury duty was served. Since I had just served, I figured I was
clear.
Two days ago I got yet another summons for jury duty in April. I
thought that once you served that they couldn't bother you for a two
year period (or at least some reasonable period). I am self employed
and cannot afford to serve again.
The questions: How often can you legally be called for jury duty?
It seems like harassment to be called so soon after having already
served just a few months ago. I have served every time I've been
called and have always responded to summonses, but this time I feel
like just ripping it up despite the stated penalty...
Can someone please advise me what my rights are and what the
city/state can and can't do? Who is the best person to complain to
about this issue?
Thanks,
LG
Seth Breidbart
In article <E780H...@world.std.com>, LG <spam...@nospam.net> wrote:
>I hope that someone can help me. I was called for and reported to
>jury duty in NYC in November 1996.
Then you shouldn't have to serve again until November 1998.
>Two days ago I got yet another summons for jury duty in April. I
>thought that once you served that they couldn't bother you for a two
>year period (or at least some reasonable period). I am self employed
>and cannot afford to serve again.
>
>The questions: How often can you legally be called for jury duty?
You can be _called_ very often. You don't have to _serve_ that often.
>It seems like harassment to be called so soon after having already
>served just a few months ago.
Send them a photocopy of the document you got when you finished
serving last time. What happens is, there are a large number of
different entities in NY that call jurors (civil, criminal, federal,
....), and they don't communicate very well (at all).
> I have served every time I've been
>called and have always responded to summonses, but this time I feel
>like just ripping it up despite the stated penalty...
Just let them know you served recently and they'll cancel it.
Seth
Richard Gurfein
LG wrote:
>
> The questions: How often can you legally be called for jury duty?
New York law actually prohibits jurors from server any sooner than two
years after they have actually served. Sounds like the system's
computer is in an endless loop when it comes to your name. You should
write a separate letter to the Jury Clerk at 60 Centre Street, New
York,NY and explain when your prior service was and that you are not
available to serve in April. Send it return receipt and ask the clerk
to respond to your request.
Good luck....
--
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Rich Gurfein Lawyers representing consumers
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11 Park Place - medical malpractice
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Wm. Randolph U Franklin
It's every four years now in NYS, I believe. That's what they
told me last time I served. The flip side is that it's harder to
get exempted.
My main complaint about jury duty is the unpredictability. During
the week that you're on tap, they tell you each evening whether
they want you the next morning. If you tell me well in advance
that I owe you a specific day's servitude, then I can plan around
it. What I can't do is rearrange my whole day on a few hours
notice, which is how the current system operates.
So, I told them exactly that, and they had me come in on a
specific day. Then they dismissed all of us.
---- wrf...@mab.ecse.rpi.NOSPAM.edu (Wm. Randolph U Franklin)
---- PGP Key available.
---- Do not send unsolicited commercial announcements to this address.
Joseph Graham
I'm pretty sure recent jury service is grounds for excusal and there's
probably a question to that effect in the jury questionaire. But note that
you didn't mention in your post whether you served on a state or federal
jury. If you served on one and the new notice is for the other, you may
have to serve again. If you want to complain I would suggest contacting
the New York State Office of Court Administration.
LG <spam...@nospam.net> wrote in article <E780H...@world.std.com>...
> The questions: How often can you legally be called for jury duty?
> It seems like harassment to be called so soon after having already
> served just a few months ago. I have served every time I've been
> called and have always responded to summonses, but this time I feel
> like just ripping it up despite the stated penalty...
>
Seth Breidbart
In article <E8H4q...@world.std.com>,
Joseph Graham <josepha..graham@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>I'm pretty sure recent jury service is grounds for excusal and there's
>probably a question to that effect in the jury questionaire. But note that
>you didn't mention in your post whether you served on a state or federal
>jury. If you served on one and the new notice is for the other, you may
>have to serve again.
>From the notices I've received, recent (under 2 years) service on jury
duty exempts you, it doesn't matter if the duty is federal or state.
However, they don't coordinate, so you have to tell them that you've
just served.
Seth