Jury Duty…

[awpitt (Premo)]

...for US District Court in Greenbelt.

It’s my turn stating next week. I was wondering if anyone has served in Greenbelt before. If so, any advice or hints you can offer?

I’m not new to jury duty as I served a few years ago in Leonardtown but any advice specific to Greenbelt would be great.

[migtig (Premo)]

Originally Posted by awpitt

...for US District Court in Greenbelt.

It’s my turn stating next week. I was wondering if anyone has served in Greenbelt before. If so, any advice or hints you can offer?

I’m not new to jury duty as I served a few years ago in Leonardtown but any advice specific to Greenbelt would be great.

Yes - say you have a small child at home and you are the sole caretaker. I saw so many folks get out of jury duty for that one.

Umm, I was on call for a month - you called in the night before to find out if you had to show up. I think I wound up going in every time but once, and wound up being selected on the last day.

Pack a lunch or snack just to be safe, and a magazine, book or something to keep you entertained.

Keep track of your mileage. I believe mine was around 67 miles one way. If it's over 75 (I think) they'll pay for you to be in an area hotel if you so choose. However, you pay for the hotel from their preapproved list and they reimburse you.

The mapquest directions were dead on accurate. When you turn at the light to be at the courthouse - be in the right hand lane because the courthouse is immediately right with a guardshack after turning - have your jury slip ready to show him/her and you will be told where to park. Upon going through the security at the entrance they will tell you where the jury room is. They serve a light snack for breakfast (until you get selected for jury duty that is) and will show a short film on your responsibilities and the terminology used in court. Then you check in with the clerk of court - she scans your jury letter, and then you get divided up and some will remain behind as a reserve (so you will be bored) and some will go the courtroom to be asked questions by the judge. Unless you get selected your day is usually over around lunchtime. They do have a craptastic cafeteria, but I really suggest bringing a nsack of your own - I paid $15 the first day for a dry sandwich of underterminable origins and a soda.

[KMPaddy2255]

Originally Posted by awpitt

...for US District Court in Greenbelt.

It’s my turn stating next week. I was wondering if anyone has served in Greenbelt before. If so, any advice or hints you can offer?

I’m not new to jury duty as I served a few years ago in Leonardtown but any advice specific to Greenbelt would be great.

Yeah, I had to go for selection but never made the cut. They didn't pick me because I have a Criminal Justice Degree. The trial they said at the least would be 3 months..... Thank god I didn't get picked. Good luck!

[BS Gal (Premo)]

Hey Mig, do they pay mileage?

[awpitt (Premo)]

Originally Posted by migtig

I paid $15 the first day for a dry sandwich of underterminable origins and a soda.

That's awful. I guess I will bring something. I've already been excused from one of the trials because it starts on the 15th and is expected to go well into August which would overlap my Bahamas vacation. I told them about the conflict and they no problem and I got a notice saying I was excused from that one. I'm fine with serving on the rest of them.

[migtig (Premo)]

Originally Posted by BS Gal

Hey Mig, do they pay mileage?

Yes they do. That's why it is very important to keep track of your mileage. I wound up being selected and though I royally was hosed cause my work only paid for a week's worth of jury duty, I made out pretty well with the mileage.

Government employees won't get paid anything but the mileage. Civilian employees get a base pay (I can't remember what it was - it was tiny) and mileage.

BTW, your job, training and who you know doesn't mean anything. One guy I served with was a lawyer working for the government. I knew the defense attorney and several federal marshalls, treasury agents, as well as a few judges and other attorneys, and more. Actually, I wound up answering "yes" to a lot of disqualifying type of questions and everybody including myself was surprised that I was selected. I think the lawyers ran out of pre-emptive strikes before they got to my number.

[czygvtwkr]

I served on a 6 week trial three years ago. They will put you up in the Marriott if you wish.

THe pool of prospective jurors is very large. The pay is $40 a day unless your a government employee then you dont get anything, just your regular pay.

Some of the excuses people used to get out of it were quite funny. I found it refreshing since I got paid anyway and instead of working 06:00 to 16:00 every day I worked 09:00 to about 14:00 every day and got an hour for lunch to boot.

[awpitt (Premo)]

Originally Posted by czygvtwkr

I served on a 6 week trial three years ago. They will put you up in the Marriott if you wish.

THe pool of prospective jurors is very large. The pay is $40 a day unless your a government employee then you dont get anything, just your regular pay.

Some of the excuses people used to get out of it were quite funny. I found it refreshing since I got paid anyway and instead of working 06:00 to 16:00 every day I worked 09:00 to about 14:00 every day and got an hour for lunch to boot.

Thanks for the info.

[Magnum (Premo)]

Just say your racist or do not believe in our judicial system and that they are all crooks and scammers, they must be guilty if they are in there

[migtig (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Magnum

Just say your racist or do not believe in our judicial system and that they are all crooks and scammers, they must be guilty if they are in there

Nope, that doesn't work and then they'll lock you up for disrespecting the court.