Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Jury duty question

puckhead193

puckhead193

macrumors G3
Original poster
May 25, 2004
9,582
874
NY
So lucky me I get to be on jury duty. While I'm sitting and waiting does anyone know if I can bring my ipod touch? On the letter it says no cell phones and cameras, but nothing about ipods. What about a DS?
Also I planned on wearing jeans and polo shirt, is that ok? Or do I NEED to wear dress pants?
If it matters, its federal court, NOT state :eek:
What should I expect?
 
puckhead193 said:
So lucky me I get to be on jury duty. While I'm sitting and waiting does anyone know if I can bring my ipod touch? On the letter it says no cell phones and cameras, but nothing about ipods. What about a DS?
Also I planned on wearing jeans and polo shirt, is that ok? Or do I NEED to wear dress pants?
If it matters, its federal court, NOT state :eek:
What should I expect?
Click to expand...

Ha, yeah... Probably not wise to try to test it. You're supposed to be doing a job anyway, not playing games.
 
Rules on iPods depend on the courthouse. In Arlington County, VA they allowed me to bring in an iPod touch but not a cell phone. I'd probably just bring a book to be safe, otherwise you'll have to pay for a locker to keep it in for the day.

You should expect to sit around and do nothing for a long time. If your jury fills before you're called for questioning by the attorneys you get to go home. If you are questioned by the attorneys just answer honestly, and if you don't understand what you're being asked you should say so. It's really not a big deal (other than the waste of a day).
 
I got selected once, but i got out of it. But from what i remember when my mum went, you have to look presentable. And you weren't allowed any "electronic" equipment in the court room. eg mobile phones etc
 
I've been picked once and no cell phones meant no cell phones. I doubt a DS or Touch would be ok as well. Bring a book and wear slacks and a shirt.
 
I was selected last year, but I got out of it because I'm not an American citizen (yet).

But I hear if you tell them that you're racist against everyone, you'll get out of it. ;)
 
Matthew Yohe said:
Ha, yeah... Probably not wise to try to test it. You're supposed to be doing a job anyway, not playing games.
Click to expand...

I remember my jury duty call. It was many hours of waiting just to go in for about 30 minutes or so to find out I haven't been picked and can go home. Which one was the alleged job part?

Sadly this was several years ago when I didn't have a laptop, otherwise I would've brought it with me if they'd let me.
 
Surely said:
I was selected last year, but I got out of it because I'm not an American citizen (yet).

But I hear if you tell them that you're racist against everyone, you'll get out of it. ;)
Click to expand...

How did you get picked for a jury...?? Federal jurors are picked from voting records...Have you voted..?? :eek:
 
Synchromesh said:
I remember my jury duty call. It was many hours of waiting just to go in for about 30 minutes or so to find out I haven't been picked and can go home. Which one was the alleged job part?

Sadly this was several years ago when I didn't have a laptop, otherwise I would've brought it with me if they'd let me.
Click to expand...

That's how my recent jury duty experience was, last year. And they allowed everything, cell phones, laptops, etc. I just don't think you were allowed to take those into the courtroom if you were selected.
 
yg17 said:
That's how my recent jury duty experience was, last year. And they allowed everything, cell phones, laptops, etc. I just don't think you were allowed to take those into the courtroom if you were selected.
Click to expand...

Same here. We could do whatever we wanted while we waited, as long as we stayed in the building.
 
Surely said:
I was selected last year, but I got out of it because I'm not an American citizen (yet).

But I hear if you tell them that you're racist against everyone, you'll get out of it. ;)
Click to expand...

Depends on the judge. The judge I had pretty much had a list of reasons that potential jurors would use. He read them and said not to bother with any of those excuses. Still, the excuses flowed. I don't like jury duty but I do feel as though it's my civic duty.
 
miles01110 said:
Rules on iPods depend on the courthouse. In Arlington County, VA they allowed me to bring in an iPod touch but not a cell phone. I'd probably just bring a book to be safe, otherwise you'll have to pay for a locker to keep it in for the day.
Click to expand...
A real book?
toolbox said:
I got selected once, but i got out of it. But from what i remember when my mum went, you have to look presentable. And you weren't allowed any "electronic" equipment in the court room. eg mobile phones etc
Click to expand...
Oh, maybe so. No Kindle or iPad either??

Surely said:
I was selected last year, but I got out of it because I'm not an American citizen (yet).

But I hear if you tell them that you're racist against everyone, you'll get out of it. ;)
Click to expand...
CorvusCamenarum said:
I just say my dad is an attorney. Works every time.
Click to expand...
Great sense of civic duty. I have to report next Monday. If I can be on a jury, it will be my third time. I won't "pull anything" to get off. Just answer the questions honestly. You might be on the higher end of the gene pool represented by the other 11 jurors. Maybe someone needs your influence. What if you were on trial...
 
puckhead193 said:
Also I planned on wearing jeans and polo shirt, is that ok? Or do I NEED to wear dress pants?
If it matters, its federal court, NOT state :eek:
What should I expect?
Click to expand...

Federal court jury duty is more involved than municipal or state court. I got called for the Arthur Anderson case (part of the Enron fallout) a few years back. It was a 5 hour affair and I never made it pass the first round of selection.:p I wouldn't push my luck with jeans (contempt charges and fines ain't fun). I'd definitely go with slacks and long sleeve shirt.
On the plus side, Federal courts pay a lot more than municipal or state courts and they feed you too.:D Oh, being part of an important case is nice too.;) Thinking back, I wish I had been selected.
 
Gregg2 said:
A real book?

Oh, maybe so. No Kindle or iPad either??



Great sense of civic duty. I have to report next Monday. If I can be on a jury, it will be my third time. I won't "pull anything" to get off. Just answer the questions honestly. You might be on the higher end of the gene pool represented by the other 11 jurors. Maybe someone needs your influence. What if you were on trial...
Click to expand...

I have to report Tuesday. :(
 
And regarding dress code, on my summons, it said no shorts, so I wore jeans and a polo with tennis shoes. But plenty of people were wearing shorts and sandals, this was back in August when it was nearly 100 degrees outside. If I knew others were wearing shorts, I would have too. IMO, unless the summons you received gives a dress code, I think jeans and a polo would be fine.
 
miles01110 said:
You can't get fined for wearing jeans unless it specifically says not to. Jurors are called from all manner of socioeconomic standing, so jeans might be the only thing someone has available.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think the only way to be charged with contempt for what you wear is if you wear a white robe and hood, carrying a copy of Mein Kampf, or aren't wearing anything at all ;)
 
In New Hampshire state court, jury duty last a minimum of 30 days (more if you are on a jury on day 30). You can get picked for multiple trials or spend most of the 30 days waiting all day to be selected for a trial.
 
yg17 said:
Yeah, I think the only way to be charged with contempt for what you wear is if you wear a white robe and hood, carrying a copy of Mein Kampf, or aren't wearing anything at all ;)
Click to expand...

Or it might get out of jury duty for being "not of sound mind or good moral character.";) (I'm reading that off my 2nd jury summon this year.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back