So I got summoned about a month ago for jury duty today. I show up at the courthouse, waited in line for 5 or so minutes and was about to enter the metal detector and scanner area and was told I wasn’t allowed to bring my cellphone in even if it was turned off completely. So I had to go back to my car and re-enter the line.
They seat us in the courtroom in pews and space us out bc of covid. Then the judge came in about 15 minutes later and kinda explained the process, etc. Then about an hour or so later, they selected 32 panelists out of the 90 of us there and I was one of the 32 (the last one called). We had to sit on one side of the room and they gave each of us a stick with a card and number on it (like you would hold up at an auction). Then the lady explained that when the judge appeared, we would have to stand up and give our name, occupation, marital status.
After about 30-45 more minutes, the judge came in and then three different cases were presented in front of us. All three plead guilty and waived their right to a jury trial (boring I know). So we ended up all being dismissed and not having to come back anymore. I thought it would be cool to sit in on a jury for a day or two though and get that full experience of the courtroom. Maybe one day.
One of the people who plead guilty, burned a child with a cigarette in their back and got sentenced to 24 months in jail. The other two were drug related charges.
All in all. A very cool experience and something I was nervous about but then felt more at ease once I was actually in there. Definitely intimidating though! I also get off work for the rest of the day so that’s a good thing :)
I was only called for it once but it was absolutely insane. It was a week long trial of a man accused of raping multiple prostitutes over the course of a decade. We deliberated for 24 hours total over the course of 2 days. It was quite an experience.
mine was almost the same as yours but instead of walking back to my car I called my driver to come get my phone and then when my name got called i showed proof that i am not fit for jury duty so i got exempt lol