<<Midwest Coffee Talk: The Tens>>

[Buckeye Native 001]

...Pictures of gators?

[Buckeye Native 001]

You need to be more specific.

This?

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Or maybe this?

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Or something like this?

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Or, god forbid, this?

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[LMich]

Just got my stipend from the county for the single day of jury duty I served back during the week of the 9th: $15.50. You couldn't believe how badly I didn't want to be there, so I was starring daggers at everyone. I was still getting over a terrible sinus infection and flu, tt was cold as hell, and because Lansing is the only state capital that's not also a county seat, I had to drive 15 miles to the sleepy, little country town where the court house sits. The judge is making terrible jokes, the prosecutor is making some potential jury member cry with his line of questioning, and I'm sitting there going between "For the love of god let me sit on this jury and be done with it" and "please don't call me for this jury." Finally, it was over, and I don't get called back for the rest of the week I'm on call, thank god. Pretty serious trial, though. Domestic violence with another charge of false imprisonment.

Welcome to jury service!

[Cleveland Brown]

Originally Posted by LMich

Just got my stipend from the county for the single day of jury duty I served back during the week of the 9th: $15.50. You couldn't believe how badly I didn't want to be there, so I was starring daggers at everyone. I was still getting over a terrible sinus infection and flu, tt was cold as hell, and because Lansing is the only state capital that's not also a county seat, I had to drive 15 miles to the sleepy, little country town where the court house sits. The judge is making terrible jokes, the prosecutor is making some potential jury member cry with his line of questioning, and I'm sitting there going between "For the love of god let me sit on this jury and be done with it" and "please don't call me for this jury." Finally, it was over, and I don't get called back for the rest of the week I'm on call, thank god. Pretty serious trial, though. Domestic violence with another charge of false imprisonment.

Welcome to jury service!

It's unlikely that YOU would have been picked for an actual jury trial. Prosecutors try their best to get rid of potential jurors like you and me in criminal cases.

[LMich]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Brown

It's unlikely that YOU would have been picked for an actual jury trial. Prosecutors try their best to get rid of potential jurors like you and me in criminal cases.

Oh, I assumed as much when I went in. The defendent was black, so I knew even if I got up there, they'd probably shoo me out. I was also surprised to see so few minorities in the jury pool. Of the dozens of people summoned, that day, I could literally count on one hand the number of ethnic and racial minorities. It felt really odd. Ingham County isn't exactly the most diverse place, but over a quarter of the population is minority. Even with out that, they'd have probably still gotten rid of me. The defense attorney was just plain obnoxious and condescending. The prosecutor, on the other hand, was far more gentle and spoke to everyone with a bit more respect, kind of a role reversal.

[Cleveland Brown]

Originally Posted by LMich

I was also surprised to see so few minorities in the jury pool. Of the dozens of people summoned, that day, I could literally count on one hand the number of ethnic and racial minorities. It felt really odd. Ingham County isn't exactly the most diverse place, but over a quarter of the population is minority. Even with out that, they'd have probably still gotten rid of me. The defense attorney was just plain obnoxious and condescending. The prosecutor, on the other hand, was far more gentle and spoke to everyone with a bit more respect, kind of a role reversal.

That happens for a number of reasons. I think that the jury pool comes from driver's licenses and state ids, so people who don't get those don't get picked. Plus those who are too poor (no reliable transportation, without an accommodating job, would suffer a financial hardship...) are usually excused. And you'd be surprised how many people are driving around in inner cities without driver's licenses, insurance, current vehicle registration, properly maintained vehicles - especially in Detroit, where for the poor insurance costs are prohibitive, yet it's too dangerous (crime) and unreliable to take the bus.

[Cleveland Brown]

Merry Christmas everyone! I'll be making a prime rib and working most of the day from home. I don't have to work today, but I've gotten behind on some tasks; I don't mind. My liver is probably glad that I'll be working from home - I usually get pretty wasted during holidays

[Ex-Ithacan]

^ LMich, I feel for you. I've had regular jury duty three times, not fun. However, this was my last month of being on a Federal Grand Jury. We reported once a week for 18 months. Very different from regular jury duty. It was nice to break up my work week, and there were a wide variety of cases; many boring, but some interesting and even heart-breaking others. Most of the jurors would have been willing to serve another 18 months (myself included), but that was not permitted. I just hope I don't get called for regular trial jury duty again for a while.

[Cleveland Brown]

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan

^ LMich, I feel for you. I've had regular jury duty three times, not fun. However, this was my last month of being on a Federal Grand Jury. We reported once a week for 18 months. Very different from regular jury duty. It was nice to break up my work week, and there were a wide variety of cases; many boring, but some interesting and even heart-breaking others. Most of the jurors would have been willing to serve another 18 months (myself included), but that was not permitted. I just hope I don't get called for regular trial jury duty again for a while.

Depending on where you live in the DC area I wouldn't be surprised if you see some of the people you voted (or not voted) to indict are on the news

[rockyi]

I had my summonds this summer in which I had to call once a week for two months to see if I had to serve. I called almost every time and was told I wasn't needed at this time. The only time I didn't call was because I simply forgot....THAT was the only time I was to serve. I called and told them the truth as to why I didn't show and they seemed to have the attitude of "meh...shit happens."

[LMich]

I was worried because my brother had gotten a summons a few years back, totally ignored it, and they fined him pretty harshly. They certainly let you know up front that you can be fined or put in jail. Of course, it depends on the judge, but I've seen people locked up for far less contempt of court.

In other news, we've had the worse ice storm we've had in over 100 years, up here. This stuff usually happens way further west and south of here. Tens of thousands of people still without power (including the mayor, who lives in a wealthy neighborhood, so at least we know there is no favoritism in getting the power back on), trees down everywhere. I'm just lucky a lot of the power infrastructure where I live is buried, so we rarely lose power during storms. But, the damage to the vegetation is going to be devastating. It's going to look so bare around here come summer. Every single tree along my block on one side is damage to the point that if they don't bring them down, altogether, they will be maimed for years to come. So not used to experiencing this. The jet stream has just been wacky as hell, lately.

[rockyi]

I'm at my parents house with a bunch of tipsy Catholics.......I love my family but, damn they're loud!

[vid]

Originally Posted by rockyi

I'm at my parents house with a bunch of tipsy Catholics.......I love my family but, damn they're loud!

I have a Catholic co-worker who left early yesterday, to take part in a Christmas tradition that he has been going to for literally hundreds of years.

[rockyi]

Originally Posted by vid

I have a Catholic co-worker who left early yesterday, to take part in a Christmas tradition that he has been going to for literally hundreds of years.

I'm guessing it involves lots of drinking and swearing.

[Cleveland Brown]

Originally Posted by rockyi

I'm at my parents house with a bunch of tipsy Catholics.......I love my family but, damn they're loud!

I like drunk happy relatives. Drunk, happy, relatives don't ask why you're not married, why you don't have kids, nor ask "what, exactly, do you do?"

Although drunk relatives may want to tell me all about their legal problems.

[rockyi]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Brown

I like drunk happy relatives. Drunk, happy, relatives don't ask why you're not married, why you don't have kids, nor ask "what, exactly, do you do?"

Although drunk relatives may want to tell me all about their legal problems.

Luckily my folks moved away from their HUGE families back in 1959 so it's basically my immediate family (which is still a good size). So nobody asks invasive questions and everybody is happy.....I like that.

[Centropolis]

merry christmas from st. louis. getting ready to roll SXSE.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Nothing says the holidays like invasive questions.

"So, how's work?"

[vid]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

Nothing says the holidays like invasive questions.

"So, how's work?"

"I you don't mind me asking, how much do you make?" just before Christmas. Very appropriate! You will be getting a card.

[HomeInMyShoes]

More than you. (maybe not, but I can dream)