Jury Duty is it our civic duty?

This is my second time serving on jury duty in five years. The first time I served the case lasted 3 months! Most companies pay for a week some companies don't pay at all. Well I tried to get out of jury duty last week and the judge told me it was my civic duty. I was a little put off by that response. I'm not sure how most people feel about serving but myself I don't mind every 5-8 years serving, but when you get a summons every 12 months, then I have a problem. My company pays for 5 days of service, 4 days were used up for jury selection alone. Day before yesterday the trial started and it's expected to last until the second week of January. So my accrued vacation which I was going to use to go on vacation now I've had to apply towards the days my company doesn't pay. Does this seem fair? Sorry venting a little but can't help it. I was wondering does anyone believe there should be a cap on compensation an individual can receive? Just curious about what people think of that.

I didn't know much about it so I had to read about the jury duty in Serbia. It seems that it's a bit different here; you are called for the jury duty for a five year period and can be called again! It's almost as if it's a job since they are paid for it. I'm not sure if I understood it well.

I have to agree with you; if they are calling you once in several years, it's okay I guess, but so often is stressful and it interferes with your life.

You got that right Markotik. Basically a jury pool is assembled in my case there was about 200 people. From that lawyers on both sides each have a turn to start getting rid of people they feel they're not right for their particular case.  A jury consists of 12 jurors and 2 alternates. In a civil case which I'm sitting on it only takes 9 votes to deem a verdict. In a criminal case it takes all 12. I can tell you one thing I know more about spinal and neck injuries than I ever did. But $50 million dollars that's a different story.

Being that I work at the animal hospital in Ferguson (yes, that's THE Ferguson) I now have a different view on jury duty than before the grand jury proceedings. I used to do everything I could to get out of it, even just blatantly not showing up a couple of times. Without choosing sides, all I can say is that you can't complain of an outcome in a court of law if you don't show up for your civic duties or try to avoid serving.  I will never try and get out of jury duty again because who knows, my vote could be the one to make a difference. We should be glad that we live in a country that gives us these opportunities.

If that was me I would try every possible way to get out of it

I agree with Jodi, mainly because in my country there is no jury system: only the judges get to decide who is right and who is wrong, citizens have no say in judicial matters. 

However, being called up again after just 12 months does seem a bit excessive, there should be some sort of a time limit, say at least three years before you can get called up again.

I was called for jury duty and picked. I showed the court proof i was way to sick to attend at that time. I was excused. Now i do not think i would mind much maybe every once in a while but not all the time. It would be too much  8'|.

Monday will be my 8th day going to court. We are there from 8-4:20. This past Friday the judge let us know we are almost at the half way point. GRRRRRR,,,, Another 17 witnesses and then closing arguments. Personally how things have been going for instance this doctor in biomechanics was on the stand a day and a half. Don't get me started on how many sidebars there are through out the day. The other thing is when I put in a request to do jury duty closer to home it was denied. There's about 7 different courts within a 10 mile radius. Instead I'm having to drive to downtown L.A. which is 15.42 miles away and it takes me an average of 1 hour 37 minutes. When it rained it took me 1 hour and 51 minutes. By the time I get home I am so mentally drained it's ridiculous. BTW jodisgreat my friend was throwing away his summons and they finally nailed him, he had to pay a $1500 fine. That's why I will never do that.

As a kid I've always imagined those trials to be the same as in the movies - fast and exciting. Same it's not like that in reality.

The last trial I was a juror for was the creator of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" suing Disney. That trial had 169 witnesses and Steven Spielberg was one of them. This trial got interesting for a day... Let's just say boy/girl broke up because of his inability...The defense attorney in this trial is a PIT BULL. I kid you not. Some witnesses he was cross examining lost it and started cursing back mouthing him. Being very disrespectful and the whole time the defense attorney is calm as a clam with a mischievous smile on his face.

I have never been called to jury duty.  Nobody in my family ever has.

There are a few cases I would have LOVED to sit on the jury.  Casey Anthony and Jody Arias.  I have to say, I slow, technical or boring case would drive me nuts sitting there day after day.