So I was summoned for jury duty starting Monday, 12/17. Wasn't too thrilled, considering Rob's birthday was on 12/18 and I had a "mini-surprise" planned for him, where I showed up at work and brought him mini-cupcakes (he already got his gifts and card by then). Mind you, the Dorchester County "seat" is out in St. George, SC - a good 25 miles from our house.
Monday I go in, and sit through 3 hours of introduction, screening, etc. There were 150 people picked randomly by a computer to show up. Maybe half actually did. They had 3 cases pending for the week - one Monday, two on Tuesday, and more if none of them lasted longer than a day or two. I got picked for the Monday case (thankfully, I would have been mad if I had to go in all day Tuesday!!) which was where a prison inmate was suing Leiber Correctional, a maximum security prison around here. We sat through the plaintiff's argument - which was the guy representing himself, and then went back to our jury room a few times. At 4pm we came back out, and the judge had dismissed the case and told us to call back at 6pm the next night for instructions.
Tuesday I go to work and they pay me a full day's pay for being at jury duty (AWESOME. The county also pays $25.00/day you are there). I call at 6pm and the message said "The remaining jury panel should please show up at 9:15, Thursday, December 20th for their jury service." Here is where things got crazy!
I called on Wednesday to clarify what it meant. No one answered the phone, so I left a voicemail and asked the lady to call back. "Remaining" made it sound like they wanted the people who did not get called for the first 3 cases. I never got through to anyone Wednesday.
This morning I got to work in West Ashley, which is 25 miles from my house in the OPPOSITE direction of the courthouse. I called the Clerk of Courts' office and asked the lady if I had to be there because I served on Monday. She said she didn't know, and didn't follow what I was asking. Then told me to call the message back. I told her it said the same thing it has since Tuesday night and I want clarification on who the "REMAINING" jury panel is - everyone, or just those who haven't served on a jury yet. She said "I don't know, hold on." (quite snottily
). "Yes, you need to be here at 9:15."
Mmhmm. I work 50 miles away and you want me there in 30 minutes. RIGHT. So I told her (with an equal attitude), that I worked an hour or so away and wouldn't make it on time. She told me "too bad, you need to be here." So I responded with "That's fine, but it won't be at 9:15..."
I got there at 9:50, she had called me back while I was about 15 miles away and asked where I was, because they were waiting. When I got there though, they already were about to strike the chosen jurors for the case. 15 minutes later the judge excused us for the rest of the week and said we don't have to serve until 2010.
So not only did I have to leave work today for no reason (although I will be paid for that as well...), I had to drive 50 miles out there, 25 back towards home, just to sit there for 15 minutes and be sent off again. AGHHHH!!
I was going to go back to work, but my boss told me that I didn't have to if I didn't want to. So hopefully they will pay me for the entire day anyway... hmm.
Sorry, just needed to rant!
Monday I go in, and sit through 3 hours of introduction, screening, etc. There were 150 people picked randomly by a computer to show up. Maybe half actually did. They had 3 cases pending for the week - one Monday, two on Tuesday, and more if none of them lasted longer than a day or two. I got picked for the Monday case (thankfully, I would have been mad if I had to go in all day Tuesday!!) which was where a prison inmate was suing Leiber Correctional, a maximum security prison around here. We sat through the plaintiff's argument - which was the guy representing himself, and then went back to our jury room a few times. At 4pm we came back out, and the judge had dismissed the case and told us to call back at 6pm the next night for instructions.
Tuesday I go to work and they pay me a full day's pay for being at jury duty (AWESOME. The county also pays $25.00/day you are there). I call at 6pm and the message said "The remaining jury panel should please show up at 9:15, Thursday, December 20th for their jury service." Here is where things got crazy!
I called on Wednesday to clarify what it meant. No one answered the phone, so I left a voicemail and asked the lady to call back. "Remaining" made it sound like they wanted the people who did not get called for the first 3 cases. I never got through to anyone Wednesday.
This morning I got to work in West Ashley, which is 25 miles from my house in the OPPOSITE direction of the courthouse. I called the Clerk of Courts' office and asked the lady if I had to be there because I served on Monday. She said she didn't know, and didn't follow what I was asking. Then told me to call the message back. I told her it said the same thing it has since Tuesday night and I want clarification on who the "REMAINING" jury panel is - everyone, or just those who haven't served on a jury yet. She said "I don't know, hold on." (quite snottily
Mmhmm. I work 50 miles away and you want me there in 30 minutes. RIGHT. So I told her (with an equal attitude), that I worked an hour or so away and wouldn't make it on time. She told me "too bad, you need to be here." So I responded with "That's fine, but it won't be at 9:15..."
I got there at 9:50, she had called me back while I was about 15 miles away and asked where I was, because they were waiting. When I got there though, they already were about to strike the chosen jurors for the case. 15 minutes later the judge excused us for the rest of the week and said we don't have to serve until 2010.
So not only did I have to leave work today for no reason (although I will be paid for that as well...), I had to drive 50 miles out there, 25 back towards home, just to sit there for 15 minutes and be sent off again. AGHHHH!!
Sorry, just needed to rant!
