Judge and Jury. Literally.
Feb. 17th, 2006 10:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cryowizardToday marks my first encounter with the US legal system.
I have apparently missed a jury summons last year and have therefore been labeled a delinquent juror. A few days back I received a threatening official document stating that the government has initiated legal proceedings against me for failure to serve as a juror. I had to appear in person in Brooklyn court today.
It wasn't bad, really.
County clerk took my threatening letter, which included a detachable juror card (a clue, Sherlock!), and made me choose my jury duty day. I chose May 26th (a Friday - federal crap always ends at 5 at the latest, unlike my work).
She then forwarded me to a court room upstairs. Once I entered the court room I understood this hearing will not be a one-on-one with the judge. About two hundred other delinquent jurors were all present and ready to be beaten with reeds.
His Honour came out and gave us a shpeel about us being in contempt of court. He then levied a $250 fine which he promised to waive if we make sure we appear on our scheduled jury duty day.
The clerk then read out the names and the dates of the jury service. I said "Present" so that the court scribe could put my acknowledgement into the annals of court system.
I then left the building. No handcuffs.
I have apparently missed a jury summons last year and have therefore been labeled a delinquent juror. A few days back I received a threatening official document stating that the government has initiated legal proceedings against me for failure to serve as a juror. I had to appear in person in Brooklyn court today.
It wasn't bad, really.
County clerk took my threatening letter, which included a detachable juror card (a clue, Sherlock!), and made me choose my jury duty day. I chose May 26th (a Friday - federal crap always ends at 5 at the latest, unlike my work).
She then forwarded me to a court room upstairs. Once I entered the court room I understood this hearing will not be a one-on-one with the judge. About two hundred other delinquent jurors were all present and ready to be beaten with reeds.
His Honour came out and gave us a shpeel about us being in contempt of court. He then levied a $250 fine which he promised to waive if we make sure we appear on our scheduled jury duty day.
The clerk then read out the names and the dates of the jury service. I said "Present" so that the court scribe could put my acknowledgement into the annals of court system.
I then left the building. No handcuffs.
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:-)
Date: 2006-02-17 04:56 pm (UTC)A.S.
no subject
Date: 2006-02-19 06:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-19 07:35 pm (UTC)Я бы на твоём месте не расслаблялся -- они могут тебе кредит испортить, ибо эти $250 они взимают в форме court judgement, коротый идёт на твой credit record. Это того не стоит.
Очень рекомендую там появиться (360 Adams Street, Court St R station) и дать им свой адрес. Или позвонить. Т.е. выяснить, ты delinquent или нет. Если да -- take care of it.
May 26th, eh?
Date: 2006-02-21 08:24 pm (UTC)- Natasha
Re: May 26th, eh?
Date: 2006-02-21 08:26 pm (UTC)Ummmm...whose birthday would that be??? :)
Re: May 26th, eh?
Date: 2006-02-21 08:47 pm (UTC)