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Please don't call my name. (Jury Duty)
By Ron (sketchman) Axelson
Rated "G" by the Author.
Last
edited: Sunday, September 30, 2007
Posted: Sunday, September 30, 2007
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Hope all are well. Art by Ron Axelson.
In all my days I’ve not had to serve on any jury duty.
I received a nice letter from the court system letting me know I have to serve six months of jury duty.
At orientation there was about 150 people attending. The judge was very pleased, but it was hard to understand this judge. He mumbled to much and wouldn’t speak up. It’s like he was waiting for his alarm clock to go off.
We were told we would be called about when to appear for possible jury duty.
The day before the appearance we are to call after 5:00 p.m. to be told if the meeting would be on or off.
To be honest no one wanted to be here including me, of course it’s our civic duty? Two hours of orientation on old wooded seats is no picnic.
yes, I sound like a bellyacher, but I’m not really.
I’ve been called on two different occasions to appear for possible jury duty. Both trials were to be about young men charged with lnternet stalking of a minor. Two innternet child predators thinking they’re meeting up with a 15 year old girl, but to there’re surprise they meet up with a police officer.
I think it’s a crime to do what the two young men are out to do. The lawyers argue that it is against the law for the officer to do what they do as pretending to be a fifteen year old girl. Invasion of privacy.
The young men are facing 10 years in prison. All the lawyers can do is plead for a lesser sentence.
The young men should know better, but people are going to step over that thin line regardless.
I’ve served three months now, three more to go. I’ve been lucky so far and haven’t had to set in the box with eleven other jurors.
I got a laugh out of one man called to sit in the box. A hot shot woman lawyer ask him, “sir would consider a lesser sentence for my client?” The man said,
“OK.” The lawyer looked stunned and ask the man, “did you understand the question sir?” He said, “OK, whatever you think Miss lawyer.”
Of course he didn’t get accepted to be on the jury seat.
I could pull this dumb act off, but no, if I have to serve with the twelve I will.
I’ve got three more months to go. If one has to serve on the jury you get a humongous $35.00 a day. I’ve been paid a whopping $15.00 for the three times I’ve been to court. Miss work, use up my gas, and
I set in court saying over and over, “please don’t call my name, please don’t call my name, there is no place like home, please don’t call my name.”
© Copyright
9/30/07
Ron Axelson
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Web Site: thesketchman
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| Reviewed by m j hollingshead |
10/13/2008 |
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| i have never served, been called a few times, have to admit i take umbrage with -jury of peers- what about a drunken driven, or an abuser of any type, murderer, embezzler, etc, is there that is the peer of little old lady school teacher? i've never really understood how i personally am the peer of the one who is accused of heinous crime, last jury i was called for was a repeat murderer, and WE are PEERS? hmmm |
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| Reviewed by Jackie (Micke) Jinks |
2/29/2008 |
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Your fortunate not to have been called sooner, Ron. I'd been called to jury duty 6 times within 5 years! I thought my boss might be upset with me for so many "calls", but she said each time "If I ever needed a jury trial, I'd want you to sit on that jury!" At the time, we were paid $10/day. Gratefully, after I retired, I've never called...exempt or something...
Micke |
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| Reviewed by Anna Marie Fritz (Reader) |
2/20/2008 |
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| I have lived in dread of this for many years, so I can relate to your situation, Ron! |
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| Reviewed by Mary Coe |
12/20/2007 |
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| Funny!Last year I was called for jury duty. I sat there saying over and over to myself. Please don't call my name. My name was called for a 30 days trial. I lucked out. Three days later, when we reported back to the court; we were told the attorney postponed the trial. So my group was let off the hook. |
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| Reviewed by Poetess of The Soul Sheila G |
12/6/2007 |
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LOve this picture! YOU have a way with the paint/colorpencil Ron!
I served one time, and not sense, they say every 7 to 10 yrs. I am not sure!
It was an interesting day, ( a closed in feeling in the room) but, I hope your experience is much better and I lost money for days!
I've heard of this article you speak of/internet and the police being a decoy! AWESOME Idea! Hope they do more of it!
Warm hugs and Warmer love, Warrior Lady Sheeeooxoo
STay Positive!
A REAson for Everything!
I love your OZ feelin'! YOu are riot!
JUSTICE will SERVE! I'm proud of you, that you made it this far! I know the losses and not worth it! |
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| Reviewed by Ron (sketchman) Axelson |
11/4/2007 |
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When they get your name Regis, you will be called.
Thanks everyone for the comments. |
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| Reviewed by Regis Auffray |
11/2/2007 |
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I've never had this experience. I don't think they consider me a worthy candidate. Thanks for sharing, Ron. Best wishes to you,
Regis |
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| Reviewed by Tinka Boukes |
10/2/2007 |
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I am proud of you Ronny!!
Love Tinka |
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| Reviewed by Karen Palumbo |
10/2/2007 |
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Nice article and I do feel sorry in a way. As I mentioned earlier, been there done that and it wound up costing me dearly. Hope I never, ever have to go through that again. No one to pick up the kids after school, lost wages and the expense traveling back and forth, not worth it. Will be thinking of you....
Be safe,
Karen |
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| Reviewed by William Bonilla |
10/1/2007 |
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Been there done that Ron
What a waste of time, I had to be there for two weeks
waiting to see if ant lawyers picked me from the Jury Pool
thank God I always gave them the answers they wanted to hear so they could dismiss me.
Kool write Ron true to life
Peace be with you
William |
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| Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner |
9/30/2007 |
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LOL, Ron, at the pic, and we've all been there. Last time they called, I went as scheduled, being interviewed by the Lawyer, I accidently *I swear on a Bible* dropped my cane, scaring the Judge...guess she thought I'd shot her! Needless to say, they didn't call my name. LOL Made six whole dollars. What do lawyers earn? Something like $200.00 an hour??? GIMME A BREAK!!!!!!!!
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. |
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| Reviewed by Lynn Barry |
9/30/2007 |
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| As always I love your "slice of life" art...good luck and if you don't want to get called I hope you don't get called. YOU ROCK! CUZZ |
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| Reviewed by Amber Moonstone |
9/30/2007 |
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You know Ron, I felt the same way, but once I was called to Jury duty and I am so glad that I was on that jury...It was a case of child molestation, a grandfather accused of molesting his 11 yr old grand daughter. I knew he was guilty, I saw it in his eyes..Being a bit psychic does help in this type of thing. It was really hard for me to stay non judgemental, but I waited to be the last to speak in the discussion, and it was pretty much unaminous that he was guilty.
I am usually very much opposed to doing this sort of thing, but in my case I am so glad I was on that jury. That poor child has been harmed for the rest of her life. He went to prison and I am not sure where the girl is right now.
Peace, Love, and Light,
Amber "V" |
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| Reviewed by Walt Hardester |
9/30/2007 |
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Ron, one time a special session of court was called. We were on vacation in Maine. I live in Ga. My father-in-law called and said he saw my name in the paper, and thought I might have to come back early. I had been a registered voter in the county for ten years and never been called.
I called the Clerk of court and told her I was in Maine and that if I had to come back early, Somebody was going to jail....LOL
She laughed and said never mind. But I did have to serve on the next term.
Walt |
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