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Joined 2 months ago
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Cake day: July 27th, 2026

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  • I only got a summons once. I got picked for the jury and the trial was the next day. The trial was all wrapped up in one day. There were about 200 people in the initial room, and periodically they would read a list of numbers that should go to a courtroom for jury selection, or they would read a long list of numbers and those people could go home.

    Like 25 of us got called into the courtroom for jury selection. Only one person tried the acting crazy gambit, and she did end up getting excused, but the judge just sent her back to the main room and told her to wait until the end of the day in case any other cases needed her. I interpreted this as punishing her for wasting his time rather than her actually being needed. A couple others had legit excuses for not being able to serve and did get to go home.

    I don’t remember getting paid. I do remember them talking about there being a per diem, but I think that was only if it went past like 5 days. I don’t think there was any compensation for the people who waited all day without getting picked. My employer allowed me a certain number of days of jury duty that they still paid me before that kicked in, but I don’t know if that was mandatory or just a nice benefit. I was on my own for parking and lunch. But I did get a fancy certificate.

    There’s a very strict admonishment to not discus the case while it is ongoing. I don’t know if it’s technically called an NDA, but I did sign something that says I got the message and there could be penalties for violating it. After the case is over you can say whatever you want about it.
    Most people I know who get the summonses call a number listed on the card the night before and get told don’t come in after all.

    Edit: dang, paragraphs.