Jury Service

[Gopher]

Has anyone any experience of this?

[P.C.]

I've been summoned for jury duty twice.  The first time I was excused, because I happen to be in the middle of my own court case.  The second time, I went to the courthouse  waited for 2 1/2 hours (got a parking ticket for my effort) only to find out the case was cancelled for some reason.

[49er]

I've been summoned for jury duty on many occasions.  The farthest I've gotten was picked for a panel on an attempted murder case.  I was questioned by both the prosecutor and the defendent's lawyer.  The defending lawyer excluded me in the final selection.  I was told in general that the defense normally does not like white collar professionals on a jury panel

[purelife]

Nope.  *knock on wood* I don't ever want to be summoned.  

[P.C.]

Really purelife ?  I was disappointed.  I think it would be really interesting.

[purelife]

I have other obligations that would never permit me to lose my income during the period of time away.  And, the not knowing how long you'll be on jury duty just erks me.  I've heard some trials lasting from 2 days to months to years.  Look at the Pickton case.  

[49er]

some employers, as mine, pay for the days one is on jury duty

[purelife]

They do, like my employer would to a certain period of time.  I wouldn't use up my vacation days to attend this.  

  If jury duty was for a day or two, then yes, I would be happy to attend.

[Russ]

I would be supremely upset if I was chosen and missed going back to work after my time off.. I would lose my job, and I guarrantee (SP?) you that I would not be reimbursed sufficiently.

  That being said, I have been told I should not be chosen because I work out of country (I have asked before). Im gone for 7-8 months of the year.. and I bring foreign money into the country, not generate it from within.

    EDIT: If it was only a couple of days up to a week I would be happy to attend. If it ran into my time due back, I would have no problem with that.. neither would my company.

[P.C.]

I'm not 100% about this Russ, but I think an employer can not fire you if you are chosen for jury duty.

  49er, the jurers for the Picton trial are making a pretty decent amount....I was quite surprized.  Certainly not comparable to a career salary, but better than I expected.

[Lise]

Nope. *knock on wood*

  Do you get any type of compensation if you go on jury duty?

[49er]

I don't think any jury member is paid enough to view pics or video of a gory murder scene or of the remains of the victims in a homicide trial

[Russ]

P.C. wrote:
 I'm not 100% about this Russ, but I think an employer can not fire you if you are chosen for jury duty.

For Canadian companies yes.. I work for an international company not based in canada. I doubt they would care about canadian law.

  49er, the jurers for the Picton trial are making a pretty decent amount....I was quite surprized.  Certainly not comparable to a career salary, but better than I expected.

So they did raise the payscale then PC? I remember hearing about them talking about it on the news, cause they expected it to be an immensely long trial. But there was lots of opposition to it, saying it would raise the costs of the trial for the province, as well as setting a precedent requiring them to raise the pay of all the trials.

    Was that question directed at me Lise? I get nothing from my company if I go on a jury. Because I work overseas, Im not supposed to be on the bank of availability (or whatever its called).
   

[kingy]

ive never been to summoned but i think there are ways to get out of jury duty.

  *GUILTY*

[purelife]

The government pays you for attending jury duty by the day.  I don't remember how much but it's very nominal, like 20 bucks.  They also pay for your room and board at the local hotel.  As far as I am aware, you are not allowed to contact or speak to anyone, including family and the neighbor jurorer during jury duty.  It's very strict.