jury duty

[rm]

I just got called for jury duty.

As some people may remember I received a summons at my parents house when I was in Australia and they mailed it back saying I don't live there. So today I get one at my house saying I've already postponed and I have to go.

I don't get paid when I have jury duty, I can't afford to do jury duty, but they won't give me financial hardship because they think I should just have fewer expenses than I do. Also, if I can't change it, I shouldn't be going to any of the auditions I have tomorrow either. And even if I could change it to when I have vacation days it would still be disaster, it means I couldn't go away until 2007. I know jury duty isn't a crisis, but it feels like one.

Am I remembering rightly that if they don't choose you they let you go after three days? And that they only keep you until about 1pm each of those days? Please please.

This is a stupid thing to want to cry over, but I do.

For the NYC locals -- how many days did they keep you? For how long? Did you wind up on a jury?

Comments

[hodsthorn.livejournal.com]

I think the general rule is that they keep you until you get called for a case OR until three days have passed--if you get called for one, I suggest having a set of excuses as to why the dates of the trial would be an undue burden on you (family members in need of care, job, personal medical needs, etc). I also second the point about calling in to see whether you've been let off the hook--I got called in 2002, and got released the night before I was supposed to start showing up.

Of course, I got called again in 2004, but that was just bad luck...


Oh, yes--and if you haven't done this before--bring a book. Several if you're a fast reader. The tedium is murderous, but it's usually pretty peaceful if you can find a spot away from the gum-chewers watching Jerry Springer.