Jury Duty

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So I got my summons a few days ago and have been in panic since, I haven't slept or eaten much for the past three days. I've been told what to expect from close friends, that I'll be sitting in a room filled with others along with being asked questions, and public speaking. I'm pretty much non-verbal and will no speak unless it is to someone I've grown used to or a close friend, otherwise I communicate through text. For me to sit in a room with strangers, with social anxiety really doesn't help either.

I know if I get stressed I start to refuse food, this has gotten bad enough where people thought I was anorexic. This is also my first summon, so on top of panic I'm also pretty lost.

I was on a jury duty where the trial almost started, I was in the final jury selection, but then it was declared a mistrial. The challenge was staying awake. I counted 144 lamps on the ceiling. You'd be surprised how crappy other people are at answering questions. This isn't a social occasion, nobody cares how squeaky your voice is or whether you have charisma.

It was excruciatingly boring though, and we weren't allowed to play with our phones. I was looking forward to actual trial, which seemed promising, but alas, only was put through the boring parts and nothing else.

tell them you are illiterate. you cannot be on jury duty if you cannot read or write. and maybe possibly even speak. also tell them you cannot afford it. I just went 5 months ago. it was horrible for me. they took me off of jury selection. I demanded it. I have had bad experiences that I did not like, am not over, and obviously have not properly dealt with. as soon as the judge handed us papers about the trial that read about three magic words, I was freaking out. it was almost impossible for me to keep my composure. everyone knew something was wrong with me. without getting into any details, those three magic words were. gang, premeditated, and murder. if you need to go, bring things to keep your mind occupied. a book, something to draw on, ipod music(if they will let you). and alot of munchies. I know it was impossible for me for three days of waiting, but you need to try to relax. everything will be o.k. after all, it is not you who is going to prison. I told the lawyers, and the judge straight up, that what I have been through WILL effect my decision in the trial, and I want out NOW! that was all it took, and they sent me home.

tell them you are illiterate. you cannot be on jury duty if you cannot read or write. and maybe possibly even speak. also tell them you cannot afford it. I just went 5 months ago. it was horrible for me. they took me off of jury selection. I demanded it. I have had bad experiences that I did not like, am not over, and obviously have not properly dealt with. as soon as the judge handed us papers about the trial that read about three magic words, I was freaking out. it was almost impossible for me to keep my composure. everyone knew something was wrong with me. without getting into any details, those three magic words were. gang, premeditated, and murder. if you need to go, bring things to keep your mind occupied. a book, something to draw on, ipod music(if they will let you). and alot of munchies. I know it was impossible for me for three days of waiting, but you need to try to relax. everything will be o.k. after all, it is not you who is going to prison. I told the lawyers, and the judge straight up, that what I have been through WILL effect my decision in the trial, and I want out NOW! that was all it took, and they sent me home.

Maybe a doctor could get you out of it?

Otherwise you can hope you don't have to go in, there's a good chance of that.

But yes, it's awful, to have to go somewhere where people are trying to manipulate one another and the truth. Hopefully you won't have to go.

If you are called for Jury Duty and do not want to partake in a criminal trial, here are a few good books to read while waiting for Jury Selection that will ensure you are not called into a criminal trial jury:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_ ... lification

I wouldn't say I'm illiterate, that's kinna embarrassing.

I'd suggest getting out of it with a medical waiver.

I got called for jury duty twice. First time, the trial was about some guy who ran from the cops and the cops found "burglary tools" in his car, so cops were the primary "witnesses" to the crime. First words out of the judge's mouth to all of us were "can you trust a cop?", I said no because I saw cops beating protestors in San Francisco years ago, and the judge excused me. Second time I thought ahead and got a letter from my psychiatrist saying I wasn't fit to serve. I haven't been called since.

The only reason we have trial by a jury of "peers" in this country is that when the colonists rebelled against England, the crown wanted the rebels shipped to England and tried by a military tribunal. Once the rebels won, they instituted trial by a jury of community members to ensure that nobody would have to face a tribunal in a distant city/country ever again. Subsequent developments have made it into a joke, for example American citizens can be declared "enemy combatants" and be tried by a tribunal or simply locked up or killed without trial. The founders hoped that in such cases the people would rise up and topple the govt, that's why we have the Second Amendment. Problem is, the people are too fat and lazy now.

If I get the questionnaire about it I ignore it and throw it away and pretend I never got it. If you don't fill it out and send it back they can't prove you ever got it.
My mother did eventually get a summons once to actually do it without filling it out. I never have yet. When she went she just had to go a day or two and then they said they didn't need her and she was done.

"I know if I get stressed I start to refuse food, this has gotten bad enough where people thought I was anorexic."

I guess I outgrew that but I was like that into my late teens or longer. That sure got me in plenty of trouble when I did a 30 day evaluation.

I had to go to court once to talk to the grand jury and it was stressful and upsetting and I would have refused if could have gotten away with it. I really don't want to do jury duty. I barely ever leave the house and don't like leaving the house empty. I'm also quiet and shy and don't always speak unless spoken to.

The last time I tried to go to jury duty, I was panicking and freaking out in front of everybody, and couldn't answer any of the questions because I was so nervous, so they let me go... It wasn't fun, but maybe you'll get dismissed quickly like I did?

And then the next time, I got my therapist to write a doctor's note to excuse me. I've never been summoned since then, so I think they crossed me off their list permanently.

Sorry you're going through this - good luck!

I'm already freaking out four weeks ahead of time and probably won't be eating or sleeping much until the day I get called in. I don't do too well in a large room filled with strangers, without at least one person I know. I'm more afraid of going into a meltdown just sitting in a room with strangers or while being questioned, I just hope I do not attack or hurt someone.

I don't believe I'll be able to get a therapist to write me a note, mom hasn't brought me to her ever since my father convinced her that there was nothing wrong with me. It's also too far of a drive for myself to get to her office.

You're not eating, you could try to ask for a medical doctor appointment---tell them what is going on, maybe they would excuse you.