⌛ A minor (?) problem, I hope

In Texas, a minor problem is called "a hitch in the giddy-up".
My daughter, who checks my mail for me weekly in Houston, emailed me and said that I got a jury summons for Harris County (Houston) Texas.
I planned on everything here except that.
I would "think" that sending them a photocopy of my passport visa extension page would get me out of it.
The last time I got one was about 15 years ago. I never thought I would get another one.
Hummmmm.......

 

I got a jury summons once while I was here in Dumaguete. My mom told them I was in the Philippines. Didn't supply any evidence of it. Wasn't a problem.

 

Great. Thank you.

 

How Odd!

Like you Ron. I always understood that a Jury Call was a "One Off" maybe the UK is again a different system. Hope this has a Happy Ending.


Jack P.

 

They go by voter regristration and a random pick I was told.
The last time, during pre-selection questioning by the defense lawyer, he asked our group of about 60, how many of us had a concealed carry handgun license (meaning no criminal history) and myself and about 6 others raised our hands. We were all excused with a "thank you".
The time before that, the defense lawyer asked if anyone had a close relative in law enforcement, and then questioned each of us (about 8) that raised our hands. When he asked me I said that my brother was a US Federal Marshall. I was also excused with a "thank you".
Defense lawyers don't like "law and order" type jurors I guess.

 

No lawyer Challenge.

In the UK only the accused can challenge a juror. This can only be based on personal knowledge of the juror in Question. It matters not what he/she is, if they are not known personally or have no connection with the accused or the crime, then the juror stays. Even law enforcement officers and lawyers can be called for Jury service. Only Judges, serving Military and Convicted Criminals are exempt as far as I am aware, No doubt My British friends here will correct me should I be somewhat wrong.


Jack P.

 

JP - 2 things here before I start.
First, I am very pro-American and patriotic.
Second, I really don't want to start an arguement about this.
Having said that, I do have my opinion. The USA is overly concerned with the "civil rights" of the bad guys and not enough with the "civil rights" of the good guys. The USA goes way to far to make sure that the bad guys are protected in every way shape and form. And many criminals get off by the stupid loop holes created by their lawyers.
There are many countries that have better legal systems for dealing with crime. From what you say, the UK may be one of them.

 

No Argument here!

Ron, There is no argument here at all, I was just saying how the UK system works, For better or for worse, The problem with the UK is much the same I feel as the US, The bad guy does in fact get away more than he should do. A lot of it is about Money of course, The Richer you are (or if you can get better defence by other means) the better chance of acquittal. Just as an addition, the UK is about Government is to vote soon on professional Jurors, not sure if I could even begin to think about that one.


Jack P.

 

Interesting concept...... Professional jurors. I have not heard of that before. Any idea how that will work?
I don't know about anywhere else, but in Houston, a juror gets paid by the day and the parking fees are more than the pay, and most jobs will give you time off for jury duty WITHOUT pay. So it is a loose/loose situation.

 

I got jury summons in september from hawaii county and it had list of excuses that would be accepted and one was if I would be outside a particular radius of the county and seeing as how my plan to be in dumaguete was going to be complete before jury selection started ,I crossed in the exempt and mailed it back in, wishing I had also crossed in the mentally deficient exemption also just to be sure...