Good grief, it's like clockwork. Every two years. Why me? There must be over a million eligible jurors in Sacramento County. Is there some way of deregistering from the voter rolls? Would this help if it's possible?

I have the option of delaying my service, and I'm trying to decide what would be the best time to tell them I'm available. Would Christmas week or New Years week be best? My thought is Christmas week. Nobody wants to be in a court room at that time of the year.

It is your civic and your duty as a citizen. Even Donald Trump didn't try to skip out.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

There's another holiday you're missing, which is probably a three day work week for the courts (every year). Three of us all postponed to this week a couple years ago and none of us got called in.

I could spell it out some more, but I'm trying to keep this week a "secret". ;)

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Speedy
It is your civic and your duty as a citizen. Even Donald Trump didn't try to skip out.

While this is true, calling on the same group of people over and over is not fair. In any given area you really should never be called more than once.

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C(-)ris
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First of all, I agree with Speedy. I used to do what I could to get them to excuse me, but now I figure if I get selected, I'll do my best to serve.

That said, the selection system does seem a little hard to figure out. I'm 60+ and I can count on one hand the times I've received notice of jury duty (never served). My wife is 50 something and she receives notice as regularly as you (also has never served). My 27 year old daughter sort of complains that she has never received notice. Nor has my 25 year old son. If it's done by computer, I think it needs a restart.

It is actually a huge hardship for my employer to excuse me from work for more than a day since I'm the only one there who does what I do..... so I have mixed feelings about it (want to do my part.)
My problem is that I live 4 blocks from the criminal courthouse but every damn time I get called to the courthouse downtown.
I think there are certain things that trigger it more than others-- recent driver's license renewal or replacement is one of them 'round these parts.

I did recently renew my drivers license back in August.

I get the same thing on jury duty summons. Just like clockwork one has come in every 2-3 years since I moved into my house here 28 years ago. 2 years is the minimum allowed between summons, and until they changed it a few years ago, 3 years was the minimum wait before a new summons if I had to actually report to the courthouse. They took out that last bit and now it is also 2 years.

For the last 10 years my adult son has lived with me, is registered to vote, has a license, etc. He has never received a summons during that time.

In this state the summons come from a state office, and they are supposed to be randomly assigned to the pool of potential jurors. But from the research I have done, the selection algorithm was computer coded about 30 years ago and never updated. Knowing the state of random number generators available then, I suspect it requires being seeded with a different initial value every time it is run, and over the years the knowledge of the need and method to do so has been forgotten.

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JoeH
I get the same thing on jury duty summons. Just like clockwork one has come in every 2-3 years since I moved into my house here 28 years ago. 2 years is the minimum allowed between summons, and until they changed it a few years ago, 3 years was the minimum wait before a new summons if I had to actually report to the courthouse. They took out that last bit and now it is also 2 years.

For the last 10 years my adult son has lived with me, is registered to vote, has a license, etc. He has never received a summons during that time.

In this state the summons come from a state office, and they are supposed to be randomly assigned to the pool of potential jurors. But from the research I have done, the selection algorithm was computer coded about 30 years ago and never updated. Knowing the state of random number generators available then, I suspect it requires being seeded with a different initial value every time it is run, and over the years the knowledge of the need and method to do so has been forgotten.

Tied to property taxes maybe?

Nope, that is not one of the criteria at all in this state for being in the selection pool, if that was the case I would not be hearing complaints from students who work for me at the university, including ones from out of state with a dormitory address.

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JoeH
Nope, that is not one of the criteria at all in this state for being in the selection pool, if that was the case I would not be hearing complaints from students who work for me at the university, including ones from out of state with a dormitory address.

Sorry, JoeH, but you don't know what it is they -really- use.

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Black

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JoeH
Nope, that is not one of the criteria at all in this state for being in the selection pool, if that was the case I would not be hearing complaints from students who work for me at the university, including ones from out of state with a dormitory address.

Sorry, JoeH, but you don't know what it is they -really- use.

And you in Chicago have any idea at all bout MA? Sure....

Actually, I do know about this. Property tax rolls were excluded by the courts here many decades ago for input into the jury selection process.

Got called for jury duty several years ago. First one. Postponed service it till the summer when I was not teaching. Actually served on a jury for a civil case. Car insurance suit. Was a lawyer on our jury--worked with the Federal govt. Daughter called up couple of years ago but never served. Wife has never been called yet--35 years and counting.

In Ma the jury lists are supposed to be compiled from the annual town/city census report.
If you don't send the info in you are supposed to be removed from the active voting list

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I expect there's a flag on your record that says "Good Juror, doesn't make a fuss."

Next time talk about Alien Conspiracies and such during Jury questioning. Your flag will get turned to "OMG skip this guy !"

I agree with C(-)ris. Responsible adults with registered vehicles and a home address are always getting called (I hear coworkers and friends complain around the same time every year). The "civic duty" doesn't apply to some.

Every two years.... Lucky You. I get called every year in So Cal.

My wife's cousin just move here from out of state a few months ago. Registered his car and did a change of address form. He just got a summons for jury duty.

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freeradical
Good grief, it's like clockwork. Every two years. Why me? There must be over a million eligible jurors in Sacramento County. Is there some way of deregistering from the voter rolls? Would this help if it's possible?

Sorry, it's either this or another public service activity nearby. (Stay hydrated)

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Speedy
It is your civic and your duty as a citizen. Even Donald Trump didn't try to skip out.

Well, he skipped out at least 5 times, but he wasn't running for president at the time.

(His PR reps claim that the summons was going to a home that he doesn't use... So, he was falsely listing his residence when renewing his drivers license. Maybe they ought to have considered that when coming up with that BS excuse.)

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It's easy to preach about it being everyone's responsibility, but when you keep getting called, almost always at great inconvenience, and sometimes with significant financial repercussions, and you have already served on a couple of juries, you get fed up. It's far better here than it was when I first lived here, but if you are self-employed, it can be a big deal even going for a couple of days. I had to go in February or March, and escaped after two days. Now I'm off the hook for 6 years. I was rolling the dice trying to get it out of he way, because postponing for 6 months would have meant having to go back when I knew I would have a much busier schedule. If I had been picked for a jury, I'd have had to get up at 4AM to get my morning jobs out of the way before going to court. It was a great relief to not get chosen. If you freelance, you would be foolish to assume that your clients couldn't find someone they liked better if you are not available when they need you.

Getting called every 2 years is ridiculous. Something is wrong with how they are running the system, unless you live in a small community, about half of which consists of criminals.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/19/2015 12:56PM by ka jowct.

In Los Angeles county it's one day or one jury. You have to call in for 5 days and if they ask you to come in and aren't picked, that's it -- until the next time. I remember when it was 10 mandatory days sitting, waiting -- you had to be there at 8 AM and they wouldn't dismiss you until 3:30 -4 PM. If you were selected to be on a jury and the trial ended before your 10 days, you had to go wait for more. And if you got called on a jury on your last day, it would extend your obligation.

The downside of Los Angeles county, "in the fine print", is that you can be called for any of the 17 courts. They try to make it the closest one to you, but no guarantee.

One of my bosses put it best years ago when I was trying to get him to excuse me: "When you read about all those bogus, ridiculous awards; your job is to bring a sensible voice to the jury..."

I had the same problem while living in Sac, every two years like clockwork. I will agree that voter registration, DL, car registration all at the same address seem to trigger it.

Maybe change your voter registration to something like 11 Fair Oaks Blvd, Sacramento, CA. Just remember to change it back more than 15 days before voting in a state election.

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In tha 360. MRF User Map

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JoeH

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Black

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JoeH
Nope, that is not one of the criteria at all in this state for being in the selection pool, if that was the case I would not be hearing complaints from students who work for me at the university, including ones from out of state with a dormitory address.

Sorry, JoeH, but you don't know what it is they -really- use.

And you in Chicago have any idea at all bout MA? Sure....

Actually, I do know about this. Property tax rolls were excluded by the courts here many decades ago for input into the jury selection process.

I'm sorry, JoeH, I honestly don't know what it's like to live in a state where there's no corruption and everything is done by the book. I am happy for you that you live in such a place.

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Filliam H. Muffman
I had the same problem while living in Sac, every two years like clockwork. I will agree that voter registration, DL, car registration all at the same address seem to trigger it.

Maybe change your voter registration to something like 11 Fair Oaks Blvd, Sacramento, CA. Just remember to change it back more than 15 days before voting in a state election.

Not getting the summons doesn't sound like a great idea to me.

You can always find the basis for the jury pool selection. Here is the Sacramento County, CA FAQ:
How Jurors Are Summonsed
The selection and management of jurors is governed by the California Code of Civil Procedure. Jurors' names are selected at random from lists of registered voters and persons who have valid California drivers licenses or identification cards issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The two lists are combined to create one Master Jury List. Prospective jurors are summoned weekly and are randomly selected from the master list to receive a summons. The summonses are mailed approximately five weeks prior to the service date. Sacramento County residents are eligible to be summonsed every eighteen (18) months.

As an attorney who presents to juries and as a fellow citizen, thank you for serving. Some of the best jurors I have seen are those who don't want to be there. It is amazing how few countries put the fate of parties in a dispute, criminal and civil, in the hands of citizens like the US. Although not a true random draw, there is always the people that get called more often than others. Too bad the lottery doesn't act the same way.

I suggest to people called to serve in Texas district court to bring snacks and something to drink, something to read or catch up on, comfortable shoes, and as little metal as possible to avoid stripping at the metal detectors. Remember that the Judge and Bailiff (or shepherds) are on your side and always ask if you have a question.

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Gareth
There's another holiday you're missing, which is probably a three day work week for the courts (every year). Three of us all postponed to this week a couple years ago and none of us got called in.

I could spell it out some more, but I'm trying to keep this week a "secret". ;)

I would give THANKS and be very GIVING to know that date!

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MarkD
I suggest to people called to serve in Texas district court to bring snacks and something to drink, something to read or catch up on, comfortable shoes, and as little metal as possible to avoid stripping at the metal detectors. Remember that the Judge and Bailiff (or shepherds) are on your side and always ask if you have a question.

Thanks. 'Round these parts you can bring a laptop, but there's a lot of competition for outlets and the other jurors are likely to be nasty....

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Black

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Filliam H. Muffman
I had the same problem while living in Sac, every two years like clockwork. I will agree that voter registration, DL, car registration all at the same address seem to trigger it.

Maybe change your voter registration to something like 11 Fair Oaks Blvd, Sacramento, CA. Just remember to change it back more than 15 days before voting in a state election.

Not getting the summons doesn't sound like a great idea to me.

If it gets returned to them as undeliverable, how are they going to prove they delivered the follow up saying you are in trouble?

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In tha 360. MRF User Map

I just served back in July. It's the fourth time I've been called and I know people who have never been called and my wife was just called for her first time ever. Every state is different. In Michigan it is a random choosing based on driver licenses, hence some being called many times and others not. I get a break of a year before I can be thrown back in the mix.
I understand how some have a problem with it, but it's still far better than being put in front of a judge who decides your fate based on if you're in the upper class, or royalty, etc., or someone of the lower class, or a peasant, and can't buy or bribe their way out of it.
But I sure don't want to be sitting in the defendant's chair with a bunch of people who feel inconvenienced to be there and will find you guilty just so they don't miss the ball game that night...

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DP
I just served back in July. It's the fourth time I've been called and I know people who have never been called and my wife was just called for her first time ever. Every state is different. In Michigan it is a random choosing based on driver licenses, hence some being called many times and others not. I get a break of a year before I can be thrown back in the mix.
I understand how some have a problem with it, but it's still far better than being put in front of a judge who decides your fate based on if you're in the upper class, or royalty, etc., or someone of the lower class, or a peasant, and can't buy or bribe their way out of it.
But I sure don't want to be sitting in the defendant's chair with a bunch of people who feel inconvenienced to be there and will find you guilty just so they don't miss the ball game that night...

Well said. I really don't understand people who've never served and go to great lengths to avoid serving. how can anyone be so socially irresponsible? Of course, if they're that irresponsible then perhaps its best that they not serve. Have them do their social duty picking up litter or serving in a soup kitchen instead.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/19/2015 02:11PM by davester.

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DP
But I sure don't want to be sitting in the defendant's chair with a bunch of people who feel inconvenienced to be there and will find you guilty just so they don't miss the ball game that night...

Which is what I've always said... I don't want to be on trial for something and have ANYONE there that doesn't want to be there. If they don't want to serve, there are literally millions who are willing and able and won't be easily swayed by a majority in either direction just to get out of there.

I was on a jury years ago and we got the case late on Friday afternoon. When we did a first poll of how the jurors were thinking a young lady was emphatic that she would be happy to vote either way just to get out of there. She had a date a hundred miles away and that mattered more than innocence or guilt.

I find the process fascinating and very rewarding and don't understand the whole notion of "trying to get out of it". Just go in, answer the questions truthfully and the attorneys will decide if you are good fit. No reason to "game" it either way. That does a disservice to everyone involved and the system as a whole.

I've served on four juries over the years and seem to get called to serve every two years or so. For the most recent one earlier this year, I was alternate #2 so I sat through the entire trial but didn't get to participate in deliberations. That was a little frustrating.

last time i was called i was selected for a fender bender case. between one cabbie and one non cabbie. thankfully i listed cycling as one of my hobbies and the cabbie's representation thought i'd be best elsewhere.

i think i'm good for 7 years.

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I forgot to go the last time, and when I got the notice that I might be in big trouble I was in the middle of a personal crisis and decided to throw it away and ignore it. That was four years ago. I'm still waiting for the police to show up and take me in for not serving jury duty.

I used to feel like it was a small price to pay for living in a country with what I consider a pretty damned good judicial system. But after years and years of getting called in every two years and praying that I wouldn't get a murder trial, I kind of lost it somehow and ceased feeling privileged and started to feel just plain sick of it.

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Onamuji

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Speedy
It is your civic and your duty as a citizen. Even Donald Trump didn't try to skip out.

Well, he skipped out at least 5 times, but he wasn't running for president at the time.

(His PR reps claim that the summons was going to a home that he doesn't use... So, he was falsely listing his residence when renewing his drivers license. Maybe they ought to have considered that when coming up with that BS excuse.)

He drives himself???

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Bo
I find the process fascinating and very rewarding and don't understand the whole notion of "trying to get out of it".

It's educational as hell; like seeing how competent or incompetent REAL lawyers are (as compared to what's shown on TV or the movies.)

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Black

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JoeH

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JoeH
Nope, that is not one of the criteria at all in this state for being in the selection pool, if that was the case I would not be hearing complaints from students who work for me at the university, including ones from out of state with a dormitory address.

Sorry, JoeH, but you don't know what it is they -really- use.

And you in Chicago have any idea at all bout MA? Sure....

Actually, I do know about this. Property tax rolls were excluded by the courts here many decades ago for input into the jury selection process.

I'm sorry, JoeH, I honestly don't know what it's like to live in a state where there's no corruption and everything is done by the book. I am happy for you that you live in such a place.

So do dead people still get called to perform jury duty in Chicago?

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It is what it is.

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MarkD
I suggest to people called to serve in Texas district court to bring snacks and something to drink, something to read or catch up on, comfortable shoes, and as little metal as possible to avoid stripping at the metal detectors. Remember that the Judge and Bailiff (or shepherds) are on your side and always ask if you have a question.

Thanks. 'Round these parts you can bring a laptop, but there's a lot of competition for outlets and the other jurors are likely to be nasty....

a) Bring a power strip a become the group's hero, or
b) This is a perfect application for an iPad.

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It is what it is.

Last time I served on a jury a farmer who milked his cows twice a day asked to be excused. He said he had no one to fill in for him. The judge excused him but told him he would have to serve six months later and he could not use his milking demands to be excused. The judge's tone was rather stern.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

Here in SC, if you get a summons but don't actually get called to the courthouse, you can get a summons every year. For the past three years Ive gotten both either district or federal summons in the mail. I had to fill out the interwebs paperwork and then call a hotline to see if I had to show (for federal only). All times I was never sworn in. Thus, I keep getting the summons. If I was sworn I just once, ( for jury selection), then I'd be kicked out of the rotation.

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N-OS X-tasy!

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Black

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MarkD
I suggest to people called to serve in Texas district court to bring snacks and something to drink, something to read or catch up on, comfortable shoes, and as little metal as possible to avoid stripping at the metal detectors. Remember that the Judge and Bailiff (or shepherds) are on your side and always ask if you have a question.

Thanks. 'Round these parts you can bring a laptop, but there's a lot of competition for outlets and the other jurors are likely to be nasty....

a) Bring a power strip a become the group's hero, or
b) This is a perfect application for an iPad.

You lucky stiffs! Laptops, cell phones, tablets and more generally "electronic devices" are all forbidden in the local court buildings.

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Speedy
Last time I served on a jury a farmer who milked his cows twice a day asked to be excused. He said he had no one to fill in for him. The judge excused him but told him he would have to serve six months later and he could not use his milking demands to be excused. The judge's tone was rather stern.

At one of my many visits to a courtroom, the judge told us all at the beginning of voir dire that he didn't want to hear anyone bring up their work because NO job was so critical that one can't perform jury duty. Then he said, Look at ME, even I am able to take the time to serve on juries. Which irritated the heck out of me, as if being a judge was so much more important than, say, being a surgeon or first responder or a person who keeps our water system working safely. What a narcissist.

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We have a good system here. I usually get a notice to serve every 10 years. You have to serve for the whole month. You call in after 5PM the day before to see if you are needed. If you are not needed you can do whatever you want. They have been sending survey for the past couple years to see if you are eligible for jury duty. Seems that if you are over 70 years old or in some form of law enforce such as I am then they will not call you. Of course that is city jury duty the Federal jury duty don't care where you work but I have only been call in once in 56 years to serve on a federal jury instead of 3 for the city.

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Portsmouth, Va

....hehehehe.....you said duty.................

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