Jury Duty - opinions requested
Mary Winters-Meyer
Well, I just got that little white card that says I'll be doing jury duty for a
couple weeks. I know from previous posts that bringing a project is a *really*
good idea while you are waiting to be called. (Even my boss suggested bringing
a good book!) My question, though, is what type of project? If I'm just sitting
with the other jurors in a waiting room, I'm guessing that my current project,
which currently requires frequent chart referencing, would be ok, but would it
be better to bring something simple? If I do get called for actual duty, is it
ok to stitch while listening to cases, in which case a simpler project such as my
knitting, might be better?
Basically, I'm wondering what others who have been called to do their civic
duty have done. (I'm just glad the time period falls *after* my two week vacation
to Florida! ;->
Mary Winters-Meyer
Handcrafted Crochet and Bead Art
mjwm...@uiuc.edu
Terri Culp
Mary,
I have done jury duty a couple of times. The first time the jury room (waiting
room) had long tables with chairs, so there was a place to lay a good-sized
chart, the second time, we were in school desk type chairs and only had a little
desk-top. Both times I took smaller pieces that I was hand stitching
(hand-holding?) or had in small hoops. Large charts/floor stands wouldn't have
been a good idea. When we were called in for selection, we had to leave the
room pretty fast, so I wouldn't want to take anything with beads or charms. You
want to be able to pack up and leave without a lot of hassle. Other
considerations are that there are a lot of people in a pretty room (at least
where I was) so you couldn't spread out too far and the lighting wasn't very
good. I saw people kniting and others doing stitchery, but I wouldn't advise
taking something at detailed as a MLI project.
Don't know about while sitting on the jury and listening to cases. Some movies
(if you can believe them) do show people knitting. Never got picked so didn't
deal with that one myself.
Have fun,
Terri
Deborah Thomas
@ (Mary Winters-Meyer) wrote:
>Well, I just got that little white card that says I'll be doing jury duty for a
>couple weeks. I know from previous posts that bringing a project is a *really*
>good idea while you are waiting to be called. (Even my boss suggested bringing
>a good book!) My question, though, is what type of project? If I'm just sitting
>with the other jurors in a waiting room, I'm guessing that my current project,
>which currently requires frequent chart referencing, would be ok, but would it
>be better to bring something simple? If I do get called for actual duty, is it
>ok to stitch while listening to cases, in which case a simpler project such as my
>knitting, might be better?
>
>Basically, I'm wondering what others who have been called to do their civic
>duty have done. (I'm just glad the time period falls *after* my two week vacation
>to Florida! ;->
>
>Mary Winters-Meyer
>Handcrafted Crochet and Bead Art
>mjwm...@uiuc.edu
If your local courthouse has any type of metal detector/security setup
(I would think that most of them do now), beware what type of scissors
you try to take in. They banned my 3" (including handle) snubnosed
scissors. They also banned my tiny multi-tool pocket knife (the blade
is less than 2" long). I resorted to using nail clippers to cut
threads!
YMMV, but I don't think you'd be allowed to sew while sitting in the
jury box during a trial.
DebT
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Kimbo
Mary Winters-Meyer wrote:
>
> Well, I just got that little white card that says I'll be doing jury duty for a
> couple weeks. I know from previous posts that bringing a project is a *really*
> good idea while you are waiting to be called. (Even my boss suggested bringing
> a good book!) My question, though, is what type of project?
>
Well, Mary, since I had jury duty in your same county 3 years ago...:D
I felt comfortable reading and cross stitching (ah, if only I could
do them at the same time!) while in the jury room, but I felt that I
owed the court my full attention while they were doing jury selection.
And I wouldn't even consider stitching while actually sitting on a
jury! The court rooms are fairly small, so it would
be pretty conspicuous.
My projects sure kept me sane during all that waiting time in the
jury room, though!
Kimbo :)
Cindy Swafford
I usually take a book rather than a stitching project, but you DO spend
a lot of time waiting and I've never read the book! It's better to be
listening to them question the other jurors so that you know what will
go on when it's your turn.
As for stitching in the box if you're selected, please don't. I know
and you know that you can concentrate and pay attention just fine while
stitching, but think about the person on trial. I've attended murder
trials where it seemed that no one, not even the attorneys, were paying
attention and it almost broke my heart. Guilty or innocent, those
people are expecting you to make decisions that affect their lives!
Take notes, be alert, be concerned about the justice that we are
supposed to deliver in a courtroom, but please, don't stitch.
DO stitch on lunch breaks and jury breaks as it will distract you and
give your brain a much needed rest!
Good luck!!
Anthony S. Delgado
Mary---A lot depends on the rules in Illinois---each state is different.
Also, it may depend on the setup or even architecture of your
courthouse. That part may sound weird, but let me explain. As a lawyer,
I frequently curse the architect of our only 5-yr old criminal courts'
building because he made no provision for a place for jury panels to
wait to be called near the courtrooms. Of course, it may be the county
that's to blame for not providing enough money for such spaces. Anyway,
the poor prospective jurors have to line up, standing, outside the
courtroom and wait for the judge to call them in. If there are pleas in
other cases, or non-jury motions being done before trial, or even if
the judge is late, the bailiffs keep them waiting outside. I've seen
the same groups standing for several hours. I'd be furious!And from a
lawyer's point of view...either side....a bunch of people who've been
standing forever and are mad about it isn't the audience you want when
you begin to question them about possible bias and opinions.
BTW. I was on a jury panel once...and excused because I knew the defense
attorney pretty well. But I still had to wait (not too long that day)
and sit through the questioning of everybody else. I brought a book;
much simpler than maneuvering scroll bars, charts, and cards of floss (
I use multiple needles on a magnetic card). But here, if you're not
picked for a panel the 1st day, you only come back one more day. If
you're on a panel, as I was, the 1st day, you don't have to come back
at all. Anyway, if I were you, I'd bring something very simple, or a
book, unless you're used to stitching in public.
Oh, and No, absolutely, you will not be allowed to stitch or anything
else while listening to the evidence in a case on an actual jury. That
is a big no-no everywhere....jury members are expected to concentrate
fully on testimony...and demeanor. If you're looking at your piece or
at a chart, you will miss the witness's shifting uneasily in his seat,
or the darting eyes when she is lying, or the witness who looks
pitifully at his/her lawyer to figure out how to answer a tough
question. No distractions allowed.
Cheryl in TexasMary Winters-Meyer wrote:
>
> Well, I just got that little white card that says I'll be doing jury duty for a
> couple weeks. I know from previous posts that bringing a project is a *really*
> good idea while you are waiting to be called. (Even my boss suggested bringing
> with the other jurors in a waiting room, I'm guessing that my current project,
> which currently requires frequent chart referencing, would be ok, but would it
> be better to bring something simple? If I do get called for actual duty, is it
> ok to stitch while listening to cases, in which case a simpler project such as my
> knitting, might be better?
>
> Basically, I'm wondering what others who have been called to do their civic
> duty have done. (I'm just glad the time period falls *after* my two week vacation
> to Florida! ;->
>
Mike Phillips
On 7 Feb 1997 17:43:17 GMT, Mary Winters-Meyer <@> wrote:
>Well, I just got that little white card that says I'll be doing jury duty for a
>couple weeks. I know from previous posts that bringing a project is a *really*
>good idea while you are waiting to be called. (Even my boss suggested bringing
>a good book!) My question, though, is what type of project? If I'm just sitting
>with the other jurors in a waiting room, I'm guessing that my current project,
>which currently requires frequent chart referencing, would be ok, but would it
>be better to bring something simple? If I do get called for actual duty, is it
>ok to stitch while listening to cases, in which case a simpler project such as my
>knitting, might be better?
I am also curious, since I am required to report for jury duty Wednesday,
so if you e-mail replies to Mary, could you please cc: me?
I'm planning on bringing the wedding project I'm doing for my sister
(she's getting married June 28). It's a rather nice little thing, but
not a sampler, really. My sister and her fiance are so musical, and I
couldn't find anything I liked, so I'm taking the "Music is the Universal
Language of Love" piece from Stoney Creek's "Instruments of Love" book (131?)
and wrapping a border around it and some text at the bottom. For those
who haven't seen it, it has 4 musicians (tambourine, harp(!), trumpet, and
guitar) and a flag dancer. She plays harp, he's a trumpeter and conductor,
so it's rather appropriate (and very pretty) :-)
I am particularly interested in hearing about other people's jury duty,
though.
Mike Phillips, msp...@super.zippo.com
Dennis L. Miller
A few years ago when I was called to jury duty I had been working on a
latch hooked rug. I took it with me and worked on it whenever there was
a waiting period and during each break during the trial. I didn't care
to work on it during the trial so I could give my full attention where I
thought it should be. Another lady was knitting an afgan and some of
the others were joking as to which of us would finish by the end of the
trial. Well, neither of us finished, but I sure did make a lot of
progress and received a lot of nice complements. Made the experience
more enjoyable to work on a project I enjoyed while doing my civic duty.
Lola in Lakeside, CA
Mcfdyn
You might want to check what's allowable. Here in San antonio when you
receive the notice, it is explicitly stated that knitting and embroidery
needles are forbidden. (Yeah we might go on a rampage with that #26
needle, right.) I was too busy agruing accessibilty with them to worry
about the needle, so I just took a book and some wokr I needed to get done
along
kathy
san antonio
mcf...@aol.com
Marina Salume
*Well, I just got that little white card that says I'll be doing jury duty for a
*couple weeks. I know from previous posts that bringing a project is a *really*
*good idea while you are waiting to be called. (Even my boss suggested bringing
*a good book!) My question, though, is what type of project? If I'm just sitting
*with the other jurors in a waiting room, I'm guessing that my current project,
*which currently requires frequent chart referencing, would be ok, but would it
*be better to bring something simple?
There are a lot of distractions and sometimes you'll be expected to move
to another room very quickly (when the judge calls, prospective jurors MOVE!)
so a simple project and a large bag to throw it into is a good idea.
*If I do get called for actual duty, is it
*ok to stitch while listening to cases, in which case a simpler project such as my
*knitting, might be better?
No, you aren't allowed to do anything else except listen to the testimony and maybe
make a few notes. And they might frown on knitting needles in the courthouse--
there are criminals walking around it who might consider those long metal objects to be useful weapons!
I'd vote for a simple cross stitch or other needlework project--and don't
bring your biggest or sharpest scissors, either. I usually bring several choices,
in addition to a book, magazine, etc. because it's possible to spend eight hours
in the jury room and even the best project can get boring! (they do let you out
for lunch and breaks :-)
--marina
That Funky Chick
On 7 Feb 1997 17:43:17 GMT, @ (Mary Winters-Meyer) wrote:
>Basically, I'm wondering what others who have been called to do their civic
>duty have done. (I'm just glad the time period falls *after* my two week vacation
>to Florida! ;->
Hmm...I've only been called once, but I'm staying home with an
almost-two-year-old, so had to ask to be excused (I don't think an
active toddler scooting around the courtroom would help the judicial
process much). I would also be interested to know what it's like, in
case I get called again in the future when both boys are in school...
-Bertha
ber...@mhn.org
kpaul...@aol.com
In article <slrn5fmbo...@skaro.lawlib.wm.edu>, mi...@lawlib.wm.edu
(Mike Phillips) writes:
>On 7 Feb 1997 17:43:17 GMT, Mary Winters-Meyer <@> wrote:
>>Well, I just got that little white card that says I'll be doing jury
duty for a
>>couple weeks. I know from previous posts that bringing a project is a
*really*
>>good idea while you are waiting to be called. (Even my boss suggested
>>bringing a good book!) My question, though, is what type of project? If
I'm just
>>sitting with the other jurors in a waiting room, I'm guessing that my
current
>>project, which currently requires frequent chart referencing, would be
ok, but >>would it be better to bring something simple? If I do get called
for actual duty, is
>>it ok to stitch while listening to cases, in which case a simpler
project such
>>as my knitting, might be better?
>
>I am also curious, since I am required to report for jury duty Wednesday,
>so if you e-mail replies to Mary, could you please cc: me?
Well, speaking for myself, I wouldn't want to stitch if I was selected for
a trial. It sems to me that you should be giving your undivided attention
to the matters at hand. We all know that body language says more than any
words can. If I were the presiding judge I'd probably have something to
say about that. Take a project with you while you wait but leave it
behind if you are selected.
For the record, I've been summoned three times. The first time I was 18
years old but I was in Oklahoma serving in the Army. The second time I
received the card was the day after my house was burglarized (by an
acquaintance no less). I told them that they didn't want me to serve in
my current state of mind. I wanted to hang everyone! The third time I
was working a temporary job, had been unemployed for a while and was
living day to day. My temp job would not pay me the difference between
jury pay and my salary. I'd consider it my duty to serve but not if it's
going to get me evicted for non-payment of rent.
"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of othercannot keep it from
themselves." Sir James M. Barrie
JoAnn
Carol Boemmel
Mary Winters-Meyer <@ > wrote in article
<5dfpjl$h...@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>...
> Well, I just got that little white card that says I'll be doing jury duty
for a
> couple weeks. I know from previous posts that bringing a project is a
*really*
> good idea while you are waiting to be called. (Even my boss suggested
bringing
> a good book!) My question, though, is what type of project?
I had jury duty the end of last year. I took a small project with me -
namely, the Sekas & Co stained glass ornaments. I was able to stitch 6 of
them during the day (I probably could have done more, but I did not take
along enough perforated paper) - I never did get called for a trial. Just
be careful - some of the courts are very strict about bringing in scissors.
I did take my small stork scissors with me, but I also took a pair of nail
clippers in case they did not let me bring the scissors in. I figured the
nail clippers would do in a pinch to clip the threads. You might want to
consider just taking a pair of kids scissors with the rounded edges just to
be safe.'
Carol
Janet M. Spartz
Sorry so long but:
This is for your safety as well as theirs.... In downtown Houston the
buildings are soooo old and crowded( only a few elevators for thousands of
people), you are in relatively close contact with handcuffed prisoners
being transported to & from court & holding. Imagine a prisoner grabbing
something( or find on the floor) and sticking it into the officer moving
them (or anyone nearby). For some reason I am desperately trying to
discover & correct -I am very attractive to the lawyers as a juror and have
served on about 6 juries over the years (all but one civil case have been
aggravated robbery or capital murder or worse). A judge actually commented
the last time I was in court and thanked me personally for serving so much!
The security at the door is even more serious than in an airport and they
don't appreciate arguments or people trying to hide something, however
innocent. Then there are families/significant others/friends of the
allegedly accused that will be in court (that will be out in the halls
outside court sitting next to you!) Everyone involved is in a desperate
situation and could do anything that occured to them, things you would
never imagine. If nothing else it will arouse curiosity and may cause
someone to talk to you that shouldn't be. Believe me, I know how much
sitting is involved - I bring reading materials-- lots.
cari
recommend do NOT take your stitching with you...
the last (actually only) time i served, i brought a small wire
whimsy kit with me. we were on lunch recess. i had to sit
down the hall a bit from the others, next to a window so i
could see to stitch. every little bit, i would look up so i could
go in with the others. i guess i got a bit too involved, because
next time i looked up, everyone was gone!!! i raced down the
hall and opened the door to the courtroom...every other
juror was in their seats, the judge was in his glaring at me,
everyone was waiting for ME!!! YIKES!!! it was one of the
worst things that ever happened to me. :-D
cari
Sharon G
I was told no books, no gum, no nothing including the needlework. I was
called 4 times and each time I was the first candidate struck by the
lawyers so I never had a chance.
If the trend contintues, I will never have to worry
Sharon G
Susan Profit
In article <3319f173...@news.mhn.org>,
That Funky Chick <ber...@mhn.org> wrote:
>On 7 Feb 1997 17:43:17 GMT, @ (Mary Winters-Meyer) wrote:
>>Basically, I'm wondering what others who have been called to do their civic
>>duty have done.
>-Bertha
>ber...@mhn.org
I've been called four times, and only once did we get as far as
empanelling anyone: once I was moving and would be in another county 300
miles away at the time of service (I asked to be excused - that's a long
walk for a non-driver), once was scheduled two weeks after major abdominal
surgery and frankly I was still on pain medication that would have
impaired my judgement. Another time we arrived at the courthouse to
discover all the cases had been plea-bargained so there was no need for us
to be there at all.
The time I did end up serving, I took a hint from RCTN and took small
snips instead of scissors, took along a round robin project that had large
areas of filling in in one color as well as some areas of complex
stitching. I was not allowed to stitch while in the jury room or in the
court-room. However, during the morning wait (just because the judge is on
the bench at 9am doesn't mean they want the jury that early: this is a
prime time for the attorneys to make motions they don't want the jury to
know about), during lunch, and during the oral jury selection process
("Have any of you ever been in a situation where......" "Do any of you
have friends, family or experience as {fill-in-the-vocation}?") or while
waiting for the bus heading homeward, my stitching came in very handy.
Some of those waits in the jury room were -long-, and some were so short
that we didn't even get sat down and it was back out again.
While it was my normal pattern to stitch in classes, etc I would not have
stitched while on a jury: I watched very closely for body language, and
listened very closely for vocal intonations from the various witnesses.
Part of the job of the juror is to determine if the witnesses is/are
credible, and that was important in both the DUI and assault verdicts.
Follow the suggestion for a large bag, but keep the implements inside of
there simple: no huge patterns, no huge floss boxes, beware of magnets and
magnet boards if the courthouse has metal detectors, and keep the
hoop/frame/q-snap size small as you can. I'd avoid working with beads,
laying tools or stitching implements that are not easily recognized by a
non-stitcher, metallic threads or long lengths of floss.
I found the experience disturbing. I was glad to serve the community, it
wasn't a hardship for me, but the assault case was obviously a case where
it was a long-standing personality dispute and one of them went over a
line. On that basis both of them were like proddy roosters who needed to
be taken down a bit. But we could only decide on the actions of the one
who went over the line and was charged with the assault. On that basis,
we could only find the one guilty of the assault.
@}->- ;) Tinne :D Laughter Heals :) -<-{@
We are beginners at more than we are experts of.
Martha Beth Lewis
>with the other jurors in a waiting room
I'd go with small and simple, as for needlework for travel.
If I do get called for actual duty, is it
>ok to stitch while listening to cases, in which case a simpler project
such as my
>knitting, might be better?
I've never had jury duty, but my guess is that they expect you to
be attentive, thus no handwork while the case is being presented.
Waiting to hear from others who've done this!
Martha Beth
Chris Braun
I was on a jury once, and the judge would glare if any of us even
showed much facial expression. I can't imagine what he would have
said to needlework. We wouldn't have dared!
Besides, I really do think you need to be looking at the witnesses as
they speak. Body language and facial expressions are an important
part of your judging their credibility.
But there is an awful lot of waiting time, so it's worth seeing what
will work for you then. The trial I was on lasted for six days, of
which I'd say we spent maybe 20 hours in the court room. Before jury
selection we all waited in a large room with just plastic chairs, and
needlework would have been a bit inconvenient. Once the trial began,
though, we were constantly being sent off to sit in our jury room --
just a bunch of chairs around a conference table -- while the judge
and attorneys talked offline. Since you're not allowed to discuss the
case until deliberation begins, there's no reason not to stitch then
(unless you've been forbidden to bring in your equipment, anyway).
If you're on a multi-day trial like this, you can always check out the
situation the first day, if you're hesitant to bring in your work at
first, then do it if it seems ok.
Chris
Michelle A. Berteig
Hi,
I've had jury duty many times, at the Criminal Courts bldg. in
downtown Los Angeles that you have probably seen on TV at one
point or another! They x-ray your bags when you enter the bldg.
and they have a sign stating prohibited items, which include
knitting needles, so my guess is those would be right out. I've
never had any problem with cross-stitch, though. I take small
folding scissors/snips to use (lg. ones are also prohibited)
and put them in my coin purse in my wallet. Never had a problem
yet! Have fun at jury duty!
-Michelle
Michelle A. Berteig
In article <5dk8og$b...@gap.cco.caltech.edu>,
OK, I feel silly following up my own post, but I forgot a couple
of things I wanted to mention. First, take a simple "mindless"
project. You probably won't have too much room to spread out
your stuff in the jury waiting room, and if you are called to
a courtroom, you have to go right away so you don't want stuff
scattered out all over the place. Once you are in the courtroom,
there is no stitching, no reading, no eating (gum, candy, etc.)
You are supposed to be paying attention to what is going on. All
the judges are different, though, and some are more lenient. Actually
it is probably less hassle to just bring several good books and read,
you'll be doing a lot of "sitting around and waiting"!
-Michelle
Margo
> On 7 Feb 1997 17:43:17 GMT, @ (Mary Winters-Meyer) wrote:
>
> >Basically, I'm wondering what others who have been called to do their civic
> >to Florida! ;->
>
offend anyone! Also, I *do* realize that I often come across as
arrogant, snobbish, and priggish!
I believe that jury duty is a necessary evil of our system of justice.
I do not believe our justice system always works correctly. Too often
it seems to me that theperson with the most money (to hire a lawyer)
wins. But if we as citizens refuse to participate, the system breaks
down entirely! Have I been called? I served on the county Grand Jury
four years ago. It was not particularly convenient, but I saw it as my
duty. It wasn't very exciting, but it was interesting.
I was on the list for regular jury duty during 1996. The first time I
was called I asked to be excused, as my MIL who was completely bedridden
was living with us and needed a full time attendant. There was no
problem. I could have been excused for the entire year, but since MIL
could have recovered I did not think that was the right thing to do. I
was called 2 more times. Neither was convienient and the second time I
sat and waited for three days before finally being dismissed (yeah!) It
is a matter of conscience (to me) to be available to serve if it is at
all possible. The difference between a genuine hardship and a royal
pain in the butt is, IMHO, significant.
Well enough ranting!!! If I bored you, I hope I did not offend.
Margo
M and C Bergeron
The last time I was on jury duty, we were not even allowed to bring in
stitching needles, a potential weapon, you know. Can you imagine how many
times you'd have to stab someone with a size 28 to kill them? assuming of
course you don't put poison on your needles.
--
Camille
It keeps me in stitches ;-)
Mary Winters-Meyer <@ > wrote in article
<5dfpjl$h...@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>...
> Well, I just got that little white card that says I'll be doing jury duty
for a
> couple weeks. I know from previous posts that bringing a project is a
*really*
> good idea while you are waiting to be called. (Even my boss suggested
bringing
> a good book!) My question, though, is what type of project? If I'm just
sitting
> with the other jurors in a waiting room, I'm guessing that my current
project,
> which currently requires frequent chart referencing, would be ok, but
would it
> be better to bring something simple? If I do get called for actual duty,
is it
> ok to stitch while listening to cases, in which case a simpler project
such as my
> knitting, might be better?
>
> Basically, I'm wondering what others who have been called to do their
civic
> duty have done. (I'm just glad the time period falls *after* my two week
vacation
> to Florida! ;->
>
Wendy Weber
I've only been called in Raleigh, NC, and the waiting room is
super-comfortable there. On one July day, I watched parts of the
first OJ trial on cable, played a few hands of Gin Rummy with one of
my friend's roommates who was called the same day, and wrote a
strategy paper for graduate school.
Took my laptop, a paperback, and a stack of computer journals.
Had a lot of time -- In Raleigh, Jury Duty is one day only, and if you
don't get selected, you're free. I wasn't even interviewed to be on a
jury.
I'm still waiting (2 years later) on my check from the county for
lunch and parking. Don't guess they'll send it to me in Atlanta
Wendy Weber
elizabeth.reen
After having served twice I can give you the following suggestions:
Don't assume you will have a chair next to you to put your stuff on.
Don't assume the lighting will be very good (in other words no 32 count
linen)
I don't know about where you are, but in NY you cannot do anything when the
judge is on the bench. No reading , No stitching, No nothing. The court
officers enforced the rule quite well.
Bring more than one thing to keep yourself occupied. I had to spend
several days sitting in the juror's lounge while the judge and the lawyers
argued matters outside the presence of the jury. I got bored with the
project I had brought with me.
Knitting would be very good in this situation. I did needlepoint while I
was there. A good book is also a must. Oh and bring a pen and paper with
you they come in handy.
--
Liz Reen
My real return address is lizr@aol .com or
elizabe...@internetmci.com
BabyGeorge
The one time I reported for Jury Duty was only a short while after
a very famous case had been tried there and the security was at
its highest. I put a pair of ginghers in a clear plastic bag along
with my needlework and needles and had no problem going through
the detectors or past the guard. Guess it depends upon the courthouse?
Diantha Lane
One of the things you need to ask before appearing for jury is if it
is a sequestered jury or not. While serving on jury duty in Tn,
needles of any type are prohibited. So you could not bring even the
simplest of stitching along. I would recommend bring a few good books
to read, the NN catalog would be an excellent choice, can drool over
that catalogue for hours and not get bored. Siccors and nail clippers
are also not allowed in TN. Check with the criminal court clerk before
the day you are to report and ask what is allowed and what is not
allowed.
Good luck,
Diantha
dia...@mindspring.com
Deborah L. McMahon
Mary Winters-Meyer (@) wrote:
: Basically, I'm wondering what others who have been called to do their civic
: duty have done. (I'm just glad the time period falls *after* my two wee
I sat on the New Jersey State Grand Jury for over a year and a half! That
was every Friday for 79 weeks. Couldn't work on anything during sessions,
but when waiting we often had several hours of "leisure time" - not allowed
to leave etc. There were comfortable chairs and sofas in the juror's lounge
and I took a Lyn Tomlinson geometric pattern which was easy to
follow. Be careful though about putting things on tables - they were kind
of grungy when I was there from coffeee, etc. Have fun!
Debi Mc
--
mailto:d.mc...@telesciences.com
mailto:dmcm...@crl.com
The Needleworker: <http://www.crl.com/~dmcmahon/>
GTU Library Administration
> On 7 Feb 1997 17:43:17 GMT, Mary Winters-Meyer <@> wrote:
> Well, I just got that little white card that says I'll be doing jury
> duty for a couple weeks. I know from previous posts that bringing a
project is > a *really* good idea while you are waiting to be called...it
ok to stitch
> while listening to cases...?
I had jury duty last year and brought a project with me (small enough to
fit into a make-up bag).
The judge prohibited us from reading or stitching during the trial,
although he sat up front and worked on his computer during all of the
testimony. I thought he was recording what was happening...later he
admitted he'd been updating his computer address book!
The trial was a civil dispute over money--so boring it was like watching
paint dry. Stitching would have kept me awake! Thank goodness I could do
it during the numerous breaks!
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ Graduate Theological Union Library +
+ 2400 Ridge Road +
+ Berkeley, CA 94709 +
+ +
+ Administrative Office + + Mary Williams, Director (510) 649-2540 +
+ Robin Kokemor, Administrative Assistant (510) 649-2541 +
+ +
+ "Take a book and go to the light" +
+ Louis Kahn, Architect + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Paul and Marcia
I've taken large projects on jury duty several times. Since I
photocopy the chart (personal use, I don't want to hear about it), I
usually only need to deal with a folded 8" x 11" paper which has the
portion I'm working on. You will spend a lot of time just sitting
around, even after you are called for the trial. You'd be amazed how
much you can get done.
Stitching in the jury box itself is probably not a good idea. You
could try knitting, but the judge might make you stop (can be
embarrassing). I was rarely bored while in the jury box, but the
times between being in the courtroom would have seemed endless without
my stitching.
Marcia
notmc...@aol.com
In article <01bc15e2$343964a0$6ac1b8cd@janet>, "Janet M. Spartz"
<hoc...@ix.netcom.com> writes:
>For some reason I am desperately trying to
>discover & correct -I am very attractive to the lawyers as a juror and
have
>served on about 6 juries over the years
Well, now, Janet, you just need to closely watch the other prospective
jurors, and I'm sure you'll find some really good behaviors and attitudes
that will not endear you to the lawyers... Watching an invisible bug
flying around your head, opening your purse every once in a while and
saying, "Do you have enough air in there?" or relentlessly humming the
theme from Mission Impossible all seem to work for me.
Terri N.
Judith Truly
--
Judith Truly
e-mail: b...@dnaco.net
fax: (937) 222-8309
I have it on good authority (Madame LeFarge) that knitting is accepted
etiquette for things like juries and executions :-) ! Judith
AJ Bennett
Where do you live? I hope it's not near me. I have never heard of them
not letting you bring books to read. They would find me with an
attitude of "Let's hang the guilty bast**d and get out of here." I have
served once on the jury (was even foreperson) and did my needlework
during out breaks. No one ever questioned me. I would almost wish to
serve on a sequestered jury for a couple of weeks. Think of all the
stitching I could get done in the evening. Ann
AJ Bennett
Actually, this was not your fault. Baliffs are supposed to know where
all the jury members are at all times. What if you had been in the
bathroom. This was inexcusable on the baliff's part. Ann
Belinda J. Kendle
Mike Phillips wrote:
>
> On 7 Feb 1997 17:43:17 GMT, Mary Winters-Meyer <@> wrote:
> >Well, I just got that little white card that says I'll be doing jury duty for a
> >couple weeks. I know from previous posts that bringing a project is a *really*
> >a good book!) My question, though, is what type of project? If I'm just sitting
> >with the other jurors in a waiting room, I'm guessing that my current project,
> >which currently requires frequent chart referencing, would be ok, but would it
> >be better to bring something simple? If I do get called for actual duty, is it
> >ok to stitch while listening to cases, in which case a simpler project such as my
> >knitting, might be better?
>
Be aware tho that some object that you bring with you may be deemed as
weapons.....yes, weapons. When I went to jury duty my snippers were
taken from me...yes, those 2 inch scissors....a weapon. I could stab
someone to death with it. It was suggested by someone else that I bring
nail clippers to use. So I don't know if knitting needles would pass
the deputy inspection. Maybe you can call and see what they say about
them...
belinda, who learned the hard way and had to bite the ends of her
threads because she was deperate to stitch!!
Sharon G
I am from NE PA and this was several years ago when I was at the Federal
Court House in Scranton, PA. I never made it to the trial. I was excused
.
SharonG
SmaIIbear
I would *strongly* suggest that you call ahead before bringing knitting to
jury duty!
In LA County, knitting needles are considered deadly weapons (well, it
does make more sense than a 28 needlework needle, I suppose). Trying to
come into the courthouse with a deadly weapon is an arrestable defense,
and ignorance of the law is not considered an excuse. :/ The last time I
sat thru jury duty, someone *was* taken away for this very thing. :(
I'm in the process of delaying my jury duty once again, but I am hoping to
take my drawing pad and do some sketching while waiting. I will wait till
after the first day, when I can ask a real person about it, to see if the
needlework is OK (I have no problem with not snipping everything
immediately from my backs so if the pensnip I bought is deemed too
dangerous, I'll survive. I can snip 'em at lunch. :> )
And for the truly civic-minded who might flame me for delaying my time
(hey, at least I'm not getting myself excused, give me that much credit!),
I delayed the first time because they wanted me Christmas week (what were
they doing having trials Christmas week??) and I had a houseful of family
due. I'm delaying now because I've just been informed that I am needed at
my grandmother's bedside post-op, and I'm afraid her welfare is more
important to me than sitting around for two weeks twiddling my thumbs (or
getting a whole TW done, depending on the juryroom's rules). ;> I'm only
doing JD because I have no excuse. I have strong opinions too, and
hopefully they'll get me excused from any potential panels. ;D
Carolyn the (family comes before country) Small Bear
Alison M. Hendon
@ (Mary Winters-Meyer) wrote:
I would almost wish to
>>serve on a sequestered jury for a couple of weeks. Think of all the
>>stitching I could get done in the evening. Ann
>I had this exact same thought! I'd have hubby bring all my current projects,
>plus my floor stand to the hotel room - plus I could have luxurious hot baths
>with the knowledge that I didn't have to clean up afterwards - it would be like
>taking a mini-vacation, except that I'd be "working" during the day...
>Mary Winters-Meyer
>Handcrafted Crochet and Bead Art
>mjwm...@uiuc.edu
I bet what you can do in sequestration also varies from locale to
locale. My GF was sequestered in a jury here in New York (a Brooklyn
jury, they were actually put in a hotel in Staten Island). She
couldn't READ. Not ANYTHING. I would go crazy!
Alison
Robert Tusler
> You might want to check what's allowable. Here in San antonio
> when you
> receive the notice, it is explicitly stated that knitting and
> embroidery
> needles are forbidden. (Yeah we might go on a rampage with that
> #26
> needle, right.) I was too busy agruing accessibilty with them to
> worry
> about the needle, so I just took a book and some wokr I needed to
> get done
> along
The embargo may even go back to Madame Defarge and her cronies all
sitting around the base of the guillotine whilst people are being
beheaded in Dickens' Tale of Two Cities. That has built a whole culture
of people being worried by knitting women.
Robert Tusler, Surrey, England
rtu...@cix.compulink.co.uk
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Robert_Tusler
Elizabeth Ohmer
SmaIIbear (smai...@aol.com) wrote:
: And for the truly civic-minded who might flame me for delaying my time
: (hey, at least I'm not getting myself excused, give me that much credit!),
: I delayed the first time because they wanted me Christmas week (what were
: they doing having trials Christmas week??) and I had a houseful of family
: due. I'm delaying now because I've just been informed that I am needed at
: my grandmother's bedside post-op, and I'm afraid her welfare is more
: important to me than sitting around for two weeks twiddling my thumbs (or
: getting a whole TW done, depending on the juryroom's rules). ;> I'm only
: doing JD because I have no excuse. I have strong opinions too, and
: hopefully they'll get me excused from any potential panels. ;D
: Carolyn the (family comes before country) Small Bear
In Oregon, you can't get yourself excused, you can only postpone it.
That's what DH said anyway. He got called last fall and simply couldn't
be gone from work. When his boss called their response was "ok, when
*can* he be gone from work?" They actually let him pick when his jury
duty would be. (I suppose if you had a *really* good excuse like you
were mentally unstable - no insults intended - or were the sole finacial
support for your family of 4 and at that only worked minimum wage and
would literally starve if you didn't work for 2 weeks or something really
drastic like that they'd let you off.)
Beth O.
M and C Bergeron
One of my favorite visual images. Guillotine! Guillotine!
--
Camille
It keeps me in stitches ;-)
"Robert Tusler" <rtu...@cix.compulink.co.uk> wrote in article
<E5I53...@cix.compulink.co.uk>...
SmaIIbear
Hi, Beth!
>: And for the truly civic-minded who might flame me for delaying my time
>: (hey, at least I'm not getting myself excused, give me that much
credit!),
>: Carolyn the (family comes before country) Small Bear
>In Oregon, you can't get yourself excused, you can only postpone it.
I have never had trouble being excused from jury duty because of work. In
California, if an employer does not in any way compensate for jury duty
(the JD itself only pays about $80 for two weeks as I remember) you have
an out. If jury duty would thus significantly impact your ability to earn
a living (like if you are self-employed) you have an out. If jury duty
would endanger others (which is the excuse my hospital always gave...they
needed me to take care of people and could not spare me), you have an out.
The jury duty survey form we get before the actual summons allows you to
give any excuse you want. If it's seen to be valid, you never see a
summons. :)
Also, if you have a physical handicap, you can get permanently excluded
from service. I have a friend who has had a laryngectomy and a stroke.
They don't want him anymore. :)
Oh, and if you've ever been a felon, they *definitely* don't want you...at
least not for criminal cases. But I don't think it's a good idea to knock
over a bank to get out of jury duty. :D
I think the ease/laws regarding excusing from jury duty have mostly to do
with population pool. They have scads of people to pull from in the Los
Angeles area, therefore they will be more lenient towards postponements
and excuses. I do know that they call pools much more frequently in this
area than in any other area I've ever lived in. I lived in IN for 10
years as a registered voter (and therefore a potential juror) and I
*never* got called. Mom's been in the midwest all her life and has only
been called twice in her life, both times for grand jury duty, which was
nice because all she had to do was call in each day to see if anyone'd
called a grand jury on anything.
It's interesting how things vary from area to area and state to state. :)
Carolyn
RINA RO
I was part of a huge group called as possible jurors, and as we sat in the
courtroom listening to the voir dire of the prospective jurors who's names
were called, I took out a small square of a baby blanket I was crocheting
and started working on it. The bailiff promptly came over and told me to
stop!
Don't let me be one to impede the chance of someone getting a fair trial
because of my improper courtroom behavior!
Sheesh!
Marina
That Funky Chick
On 13 Feb 1997 21:54:36 GMT, smai...@aol.com (SmaIIbear) wrote:
[snip]
>I think the ease/laws regarding excusing from jury duty have mostly to do
>with population pool. They have scads of people to pull from in the Los
>Angeles area, therefore they will be more lenient towards postponements
>and excuses. I do know that they call pools much more frequently in this
>area than in any other area I've ever lived in. I lived in IN for 10
>years as a registered voter (and therefore a potential juror) and I
>*never* got called. Mom's been in the midwest all her life and has only
>been called twice in her life, both times for grand jury duty, which was
>nice because all she had to do was call in each day to see if anyone'd
>called a grand jury on anything.
I've only been called once, myself--I asked to be excused because I
stay home with a toddler (I could have found a babysitter for one day,
but if I'd been selected I doubt I would have been able to find one
for the duration of the trial).
My husband received a jury duty summons once. He asked to be excused
on the grounds that he is not a citizen of the U.S. (he's Canadian).
Strange that they even sent him one--I thought they got your name from
voter registration lists, but I guess they get it somewhere else.
-Bertha
ber...@mhn.org
Carol Light
SmaIIbear wrote:
>
> I lived in IN for 10
> years as a registered voter (and therefore a potential juror) and I
> *never* got called. Mom's been in the midwest all her life and has only
> been called twice in her life, both times for grand jury duty, which was
> nice because all she had to do was call in each day to see if anyone'd
> called a grand jury on anything.
>
>
> Carolyn
Hi Carolyn -- I, too, enjoy the variations in areas. In Pennsylvania,
they no longer use registered voter lists since people would not
register, and thus not vote, to avoid jury duty. Now names are pulled
from tax lists (awfully tough to avoid that list).
Carol *Light* -- looking for the *Light*er side of life
*It is the repetitiveness of tasks that opens the consciousness to
moments of meditation, contemplation and hopefully elevation.
-Jim Tisnado*
Elizabeth Ohmer
That Funky Chick (ber...@funky.chick) wrote:
: I've only been called once, myself--I asked to be excused because I
: stay home with a toddler (I could have found a babysitter for one day,
: but if I'd been selected I doubt I would have been able to find one
: for the duration of the trial).
: My husband received a jury duty summons once. He asked to be excused
: on the grounds that he is not a citizen of the U.S. (he's Canadian).
: Strange that they even sent him one--I thought they got your name from
: voter registration lists, but I guess they get it somewhere else.
: -Bertha
: ber...@mhn.org
That's what we thought too, until I was called for JD in Calif.: I never
registered to vote in CA because I was too young. At that point we
figured they must have changed to using Driver's License info.
Incidentally, I asked to be excused because I was in college, in Oregon,
at the time.
Beth O.
Mike Phillips
On Fri, 14 Feb 1997 15:28:57 GMT, That Funky Chick <ber...@funky.chick> wrote:
>My husband received a jury duty summons once. He asked to be excused
>on the grounds that he is not a citizen of the U.S. (he's Canadian).
>Strange that they even sent him one--I thought they got your name from
>voter registration lists, but I guess they get it somewhere else.
Well, having just been summoned (and not empanelled, although we all had to
sit through voir dire whether we made the lottery or not), I can say that
our judge pointed out that our names were culled from several sources,
including property tax, Dept. of Motor Vehicles registration info, and
voter registration before being handed to a computer to randomly select
people for each period.
Of course, having not been on the jury, I've been called again (Mar 3).
This time I'm just going to bring a couple good books... I wouldn't have
made it through security with scissors (although the needles would have),
and it's just too tight while waiting at the beginning to try any stitching.
Mike Phillips, msp...@super.zippo.com
OUTofDMC
I was just talking to my husband who gets called to testify frequently in
court. He says that he has seen people cross stitching in the Grand Jury
but not in a regular jury. He's pretty sure that the judge would frown
upon this activity. But what the heck bring it and you can't do it during
the testimony at least you have something to do during the down time.
According to my husband there is a LOT of down time.
Margaret
jco...@aol.com
The first time I got called I found out that we were expected to serve for a MONTH!!!! I almost died - I was on straight commission and my employer would not in any way subsidize this activity. Now some may be able to get by on the $15/day the state pays but there is no way my mortgage is getting paid on that. I tried to get out of it on this basis and got nowhere so I just lied and stated I was a terrible bigot and hated everyone - especially lawyers and cops. This worked for a while but when they changed the system to one week I bit hte bullet and served. It turns out they didn't like me anyways.
TheBlues
I don't know Robert. I'm embarrassed to say this about my own profession,
but I'll bet if you questioned a representative sampling of judges and
lawyers in the US, less than 1/2 would even know what you're talking about,
much less have read the book. I wouldn't confuse "education" with
"literacy".
-- Karin
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too
dark to read."
-- Groucho Marx
Stephanie Cowans
I don't know how the court system is in NY,
but in California, if serving on a jury would
cause you loss of income or if your employer
won't pay you for being out, you can be excused.
However, if you try the "my company won't pay me"
line, it better be true cuz the court will check
this out. The last time I served, each prospective
panel member was told how long the trial was
expected to last and would this pose a problem.
If it did, the prospective member was immediately
dismissed and sent back to the Jury Room (y'know:
the Juror Purgatory where you had a choice of
playing bridge, watching dumb daytime talk shows
or whacking your head against the wall from sheer
boredom or frustration from not bringing your
needlework).
Stephanie Cowans
stephani...@jpl.nasa.gov
In Article <19970217050...@ladder01.news.aol.com>, jco...@aol.com
wrote:
>The first time I got called I found out that we were expected to serve for a
MONTH!!!! I almost died - I was on straight commission and my employer would
not in any way subsidize this activity. Now some may be able to get by on
the $15/day the state pays but there is no way my mortgage is getting paid
on that. I tried to get out of it on this basis and got nowhere so I just
lied and stated I was a terrible bigot and hated everyone - especially
lawyers and cops. This worked for a while but when the
That Funky Chick
On 10 Feb 1997 03:40:09 GMT, "M and C Bergeron" <berg...@lnd.com>
wrote:
>The last time I was on jury duty, we were not even allowed to bring in
>stitching needles, a potential weapon, you know. Can you imagine how many
>times you'd have to stab someone with a size 28 to kill them? assuming of
>course you don't put poison on your needles.
Well, you could always go for the eye--I bet them knitting needles are
long enough to stab someone in the brain if you shove hard enough.
(There, you see what these suspicious jury guards have done--made us
gentle stitching folk start thinking of ways to kill people with a
knitting needle...)
-Bertha
ber...@mhn.org
EdithT
I have been on jury duty, too, and I took a rather simple piece to stitch
-- that was fine as long as we were waiting for the voir dire. However,
the bailiff for the particular court I was in said "No stitching in the
courtroom," so be prepared for some long, dull days of listening to what
is being said. Stitching might ruin your concentration (g).
Edith