Suggestions for avoiding jury duty?

[bonosloveslave]

No, this question is not for me but my mother-in-law - she is 56 years old, has been called to jury duty 5 times in the past and was picked to be on the jury 4 of those times. The one time she was excused was because she knew one of the lawyers personally.

She doesn't want to be chosen again but doesn't want to lie, e.g. she won't lie and say she is racist. I suggested not doing her hair and dressing like a slob so she looks uninterested. The instructions say not to wear jeans but it doesn't seem like that would be a horrible rule to break, showing she doesn't follow directions and would be a bad juror. Any other ideas?

 

[cell]

i showed up with daisy one time. i was excused.

 

[VertigoGal]

Dressing like a snob is a good idea, particularly if it's an inner city crime...she could say she has adult ADD, but that might be bordering on "lying"

 

[discothequeLP]

i've never done jury duty, but i think it would sound like fun

 

[VertigoGal]

^yeah, jury duty sounds like fun to me too.

 

[discothequeLP]

^ just as long as its not an exorcism case . have you seen The Exorcism of Emily Rose?

 

[timothius]

Dress normal.

Then while being viewed by the lawyers begin to shot & scream random phrases out of nowhere.

 

[Zoots]

Pretend that you don't know the first thing about law, maybe?
... like not even basic stuff everyone knows about... act totally dumb.

 

[Axver]

Live in a country you're not a citizen of.

 

[bonosloveslave]

I don't know if it would help or hurt her to mention that her daughter and son-in-law are both lawyers

 

[discothequeLP]

^ why do i like that avatar?




i guess the best way to find out how to get out is to ask a lawyer

 

[chiso]

I was picked for the GRAND JURY! ... I've yet to receive the money they said I'd get. dammit! I'm broke!!

 

[chiso]

...to answer your question:

Go to the jury selection and, as soon as there's a bit of an awkard silence, get up and scream

"I WANNA PUNCH A PUPPY IN THE FACE!!!!!!"

If that doesn't work, nothing will...

best of luck!

 

[CampbellMSU]

they'd know that she's been in other jury trials. just rest assure that most trials get settled by plea agreements after the jury is selected but before a judgment.

 

[U2NSTLOU]

I had jury duty twice and fell asleep both times because I don't function well during morning hours and was dismised both times. I guess they did'nt appreaicate the loud snoring while court was in session.

 

[Doozer61]

last week when i was there, people were dressed in jeans and shorts!!

 

[Mr. BAW]

As a former cop they don't want me; as an insurance investigator, they don't want me...I've never been seated...I tell everyone to write..."if the bastard is here, the SOB gotta be guilty!" You'll be home soon enough!!!!!

 

[bonosloveslave]

 

[namkcuR]

If you're a guy, and you have long hair(as in ponytail long) - having facial hair as well only helps - they won't pick you because it's supposed to mean you're an independent thinker. I have both and I was dismissed when I had jury duty in July.

Of course this is of no help for MrBaw's mother-in-law.

 

[melon]

Pretend that you don't know the first thing about law, maybe?
... like not even basic stuff everyone knows about... act totally dumb.

It's actually better to pretend that you know everything about law. Prosecutors and defense attorneys equally dislike educated people.

She should mention that she's an avid viewer of "CSI." The prosecutor will probably move to dismiss her, because the show has often lead to more demanding juries who expect a higher burden of proof based upon forensic evidence techniques that are often way too expensive for most communities.

Melon

 

[bonosloveslave]

Yeah I don't think she will grow a gotee overnight

 

[namkcuR]

Another thing is this: I don't know what the mother-in-law's profession is, but if it's anything to do with engineering or computers or math or anything like this, say so because lawyers frequently dismiss people in these types of professions because these people use logic a lot in their professions and lawyers don't people who use loads of logic on their juries.

 

[Carek1230]

I don't know if it would help or hurt her to mention that her daughter and son-in-law are both lawyers

I would definitely have her make mention of that--ANY tie to the case in any way might get her excused, or to say she cares for an elderly parent or relative, or to find ANY similarity to the case. It would be great if she were to recognize one of the attorneys ir the judge! Good luck!

 

[BAW]

The last time I was called, I told them:

1. My husband is a retired police officer

2. My brother in law is a retired police officer

3. My nephew is a current police officer

4. My husband and brother in law both knew the defense attorney

5. The arresting officer has the same first and last name as my husband

6. The arresting officer wrote my stepdaughter a speeding ticket


I still got picked

And I have to go again in October

 

[bonosloveslave]

OMG

 

[BAW]

OMG

I know


I get picked every 18 to 24 months on average. I think October will be my 5th time. They should just give me my own reserved spot in the jury room

 

[Lila64]

Dress normal.

Then while being viewed by the lawyers begin to shot & scream random phrases out of nowhere.

you mean like Tourette's syndrome?

Maybe just start falling asleep or nodding off while they ask questions, or even before. Yeah, narcolepsy

 

[daafish]

Tell her to move to another county, worked for me.

 

[U2democrat]

My 8th grade history teacher told us a story of her brother when he was called for jury duty, he sent a note back saying that he had died. He got out of it!

 

[Cassis]

dress up as bono