[Dusty_Star]

Midway down on page 2 of Altavia's link to a prior discussion, someone complains about the very uncomfortable, hard, old, wooden chairs that prospective jurors get to sit on while waiting. So while I do agree with many that a paperback book would be a handy item, it also seems that a cushion would also be appreciated by your wife.

[Eclas]

Originally Posted by bowlingal

Geez. read a book, maybe?

I have over 900 books but they are all digital. I read on my tablet and phone. I don't have any real books left and the library is a pain. I guess I'd have to go out and actually buy a book. Heaven forbid.

[lindaelane]

If your wife is lucky, she will wake up with sniffles and a slight sore throat as I did. It was merely allergies and I knew it. But the judge stated that anyone with "symptoms" should come forward - she did not ask about fever - and she let people out immediately who had them.

I brought a book. I saw some with knitting. Some wrote letters.

I also chatted with my neighbors for quite some time, which was possible before her honor arrived. I can also say that once things started, they were probably interesting, though the part where each person goes up and gives their individual excuses to get out of jury duty was boring because no one could hear it and everyone just sat there.

I got out after just a little over an hour, so I can't say how it would have been to stay. It was one of my greatest reliefs as I was scheduled to leave on an international trip 3 days after I was summoned but such a schedule is not an excuse.

[fishon]

Chairs in the waiting room were fairly comfortable. The chairs in the courtroom were as good as most theaters.
I brought my lunch and left it in the car. I’m glad I did. We weren’t released until about 1:30.

[Romad]

The more irritating thing is that the $15 didn’t cover the cost of my gas. That’s something the BOCC should address, since they love spending our money. The lunches provided were very good and different each time. And it is still possible to buy a paperback book from Amazon.

[birdawg]

Originally Posted by Rango

You can opt out of jury duty over a certain age. ( don’t remember what it is)

70 seventie

[greendrake]

I went expecting that it was a waste of my time, but I was pleasantly surprised. Take a book if you need the distraction or simply listen and learn. I was picked as one of 30+ people for a murder trial, but didn't make the final pool. I learned a lot of procedural things.
Aside from the $15 check you get out of jury duty for the next year.

[Remembergoldenrule]

Before getting out of jury duty, think who would you want on your jury either if you were charged or the criminal that hurt your family in some way? I want someone who reasonably intelligent, brought up when laws were respected, and has time to listen and analyze details. Why I never get out of duty. Same jury rules where I come from. No lunch given I survived with book and talking.

[Mrmean58]

Your wife may have to resort to old school and bring a book to read. No electronics devices rule probably has to due with too many people want to FaceTime with the grandkids at 125db more than trying to record the trial.

[Foristell10]

I served about a month ago. Maybe I'm weird but I feel it is a small contribution to make. I was told no electronic devices. I told most of my friends and family where I would be, no big deal. This is how we preserve the community we live in, by participating.

[Marmaduke]

I used to think that everyone should serve on jury duty at least once.
I remember sitting around for hours talking to others until a plea deal was reached and we were all released to collect the stipend.
I recall thinking about the plea deal in that case. Community service for a reduced sentence, which did not seem fair to the victims of the crime, but lawyers made it happen.

The system of justice has changed even more drastically since then and I see the scales are no longer 'balanced'. Just look at the smash and grabs at Tiffany's, Gucci's, etc.

[SusanStCatherine]

I heard that bringing a Bible helps (helps you not get chosen 😉).

[Ruppels]

I served last month. If you're over 70, you will have the opportunity to be excused early in the morning. If you have other legitimate reasons (explained by the court clerk) you can speak with the judge privately after he addresses the room of potential jurors about the expectations for jury duty. Bring a book or other paper-based reading material (they provide some reading materials - magazines on a rack and have plenty of water and coffee available.) Leave ALL smart devices (including watches) in your vehicle.
My trial took one day to seat the 6 jurors and 1 alternate, and then a second day for the trial.
It takes about an hour to get from Lake Sumter Landing to the courthouse in Bushnell via 301. They have a covered parking garage right next to the courthouse. Bring a sandwich and leave it in a cooler in your car for the first jury selection day, as lunch options are very limited around the courthouse. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Remembergoldenrule

Before getting out of jury duty, think who would you want on your jury either if you were charged or the criminal that hurt your family in some way? I want someone who reasonably intelligent, brought up when laws were respected, and has time to listen and analyze details. Why I never get out of duty. Same jury rules where I come from. No lunch given I survived with book and talking.

Excellent points. I find jury duty to be an interesting experience and do like to focus on the entire experience. Perhaps a hard chair on the "derriere" helps with alertness and one's ability to focus on the reason for being there in the first place.

Entertainment wise, Orange County, FL had a closet full of games, tv's, snack machines, coffee bar, and computer room with limited online search capabilities... people STILL complained. If a lack of electronics weeds out the pool that's probably a GOOD thing in the long run.

[barbief]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

My wife was called for and is going to Jury Duty tomorrow. She had been thru jury duty up north in NJ and the "no's" HERE seem very Draconian here compared to that.

No electronic devices of any kind are allowed IN THE BUILDING. Phones, Laptops, Readers, nothing according to the letter she got.

These folks have to sit all day with absolutely nothing to do assuming of course they are not called in. Up north those devices were NOT allowed in the COURTROOM but OK in the waiting (jurors) room.

She could have gotten out of it for multiple reasons including age and recent Covid but chose to serve. Fortunately it's only 1 day (or 1 trial) but the restrictions surprise me.

Anyone done SUMTER COUNTY jury duty recently and can confirm the restrictions?

I served a few months ago. You are correct, no electronic devices are allowed. Take some magazines or a good book. It was a very long day. We didn't get dismissed until 6 p.m. with only a brief period for lunch.