I’m absolutely one of those people who loves jury duty. Yes, I get that it’s time off of work, waiting to be called is boring, people have other things to do… but jury duty is part of the American system.

I’ve been living in St. Louis City since 2003, but I’ve only been called to serve once. After a day-long selection process, I was chosen to serve on a jury for a case about a car theft. I think that the procedure is fascinating. Maybe it’s because I grew up watching reruns of Perry Mason and Dragnet, but everything from watching the attorneys prepare their evidence to seeing everything from the new angle of the jury box is interesting. It’s also something I take very seriously — I’d want the same if I were on trial.

I would love to find out how the whole process works. I have been registered to vote in St. Louis County since the mid 1990’s and have never been called. I vote in every election and still not notice. I would like to see how things work in the judical system.

It’s a duty and the wait can be incredibly boring even with a good book to read. The waiting area is uncomfortable and you are forced to deal with television monitors and cell phones which intrude upon your reading. I have been called 3 times by the City, the last time was during a two day back-to-back ice storm.

The jury selection was amazing in that I had no idea that people wanted to talk so much about themselves. It was like being on Jerry Springer or something. Weird. Also, it was disheartening to see up close, the incredible mistrust that many African-Americans have of the police and to realize how prevalent rape is in our society. This was evident during voir dire when many victims and relatives of victims identified themselves. This rape case was settled out of court. He pled. I tracked it down on a Web site.

So, Yeah, jury duty is a pain, but can be educational. I just hope I am not called for at least 3 more years.

Kurt:

I hadn’t thought about the intrusion of cell phones into the hours spent waiting, and you’re right. People are so incredibly loud and rude on their cell phones. And I don’t think IPODs are allowed, which means you wouldn’t have a way to drown out the cell phone blather….

I think that it totally depends on your financial situation. I used to work for a company that did not pay at all for jury time, and so to miss time off work was an extreme financial burden. However, I currently work for an employer that does pay for jury duty time. I think that if people could participate without having to stress about financial matters, it would be more popular. Also, attorney’s need to do a better job about respecting the jury’s time. It is not only frustrating to be called and then sent home without doing anything, but it makes the trials more expensive.

I enjoy jury duty. It’s a civic duty plus interesting to see how the legal system works. It’s certainly not like what you see on TV. St. Clair county has a good system where you call to find out if you are needed that day. My wife got to serve on a very interesting murder trial.

I lived in STL from 99-03. I registered to vote upon moving in and was called within a few months of registering.

I absolutely loved my two days spent on jury duty.

A drug suspects attorney was questioning potential jurors with the exact same 3 questions. By the time he got to me, I already knew what he was going to ask. He asked, “if the prosecution has to prove three elements against my client and they only prove two, you have to find him innocent, correct?” I told him, “No.” He was perplexed. Then I said, “We may have to find him “Not Guilty” but he surely isn’t innocent if they prove two elements against him now is he?” The entire room busted out laughing and I didn’t get chosen. Darn!!!

It’s a pain in the neck, and apparently run by morons. I lived in the city for 5 years, and got called 3 times. They made me sit around for days in what might as well have been a jail house common area for hours on end for nothing. Just sat in a big room for 3 days with a bunch of obnoxious people. Not once in the three times I had to go, did I get called on or even asked one single question. Each time I was there Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Nine days of my life wasted just sitting around doing nothing. It’s pathetic, the way it’s organized. If they NEED me for jury duty, I’d be happy to do it, but I see no point in making dozens of people miss work for days, and having them do absolutely nothing. Luckily, my job at the time still paid me when I was out for “wasting time duty”. I’m sure there are MANY people who do not have that same luxury, and to put that financial burden upon someone, and have them do nothing, is absurd.

I’ve lived in St. Louis county, now, for 6 years since I lived in the city, and have not been called once.

I loved it. Sometimes it’s boring, yes, even with a good book. I never seem to get called for a jury, though. If I’m making the trip without complaint, parking far away and walking a goodly distance etc. I’d like to get picked.

I like jury duty.