Be careful what you wish for!
So where should I park?
Can you plug in your laptop? Is there an Internet connection? Can you bring in your phone?
Where are you supposed to go first?
I can't find that piece of paper they mailed me!!
$@#&!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Guess whose
beach weekend was ruined by the first JURY DUTY of my life tomorrow?
Be careful what you wish for!
So where should I park?
Can you plug in your laptop? Is there an Internet connection? Can you bring in your phone?
Where are you supposed to go first?
I can't find that piece of paper they mailed me!!
$@#&!
Be careful what you wish for!
So where should I park?
Can you plug in your laptop? Is there an Internet connection? Can you bring in your phone?
Where are you supposed to go first?
I can't find that piece of paper they mailed me!!
$@#&!
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15 comments:
Parking costs about $10 and there are parking lots all over the place. I took the bus. Phones are allowed, but don't take any pictures. Computers are allowed in the jury room and there is a secure Circuit Court wi-fi. I'm not sure where you get the password from. There are outlets in the "quiet room." If you don't remember the number on your notice, You should call the jury commish to get your number. The higher your number the less likely you are to have to show up.
If you do go, be sure to check out the Court Museum across from the jury room. It's open during the lunch break. (PS, you can try to get jury duty rescheduled too, if it messes up your vacation plans.)
There's one lot that offers discounted parking for jurors. I'd recommend using that one. The fact that they make you pay for your parking is a very obnoxious Baltimore thing.
From what I recall you can plug in a laptop, but I wasn't able to get internet access. That could have changed by now though. Phones are fine, just use common sense and turn it off before you bring it into a courtroom. The sheriff's deputies will tell you where to go, from what I recall the room is on the first floor.
Bring plenty of reading material, it's going to be a long, boring day.
Here is another piece on the growing perception that Baltimore's Inner Harbor is unsafe.
Question: why is it that no one cares when most other parts of the City are unsafe ??? For decades on end ??
Could we, perhaps, have a two-tiered society in Charm City ??
When was the last time MY neighborhood was flooded with cops? Oh, that would be when Mdme. Mayor came to campaign for her election.
The court museum is very interesting and usually a good and quiet place to get away. I was called for jury duty back in February, my number was extremely high, but I was picked for a jury that lasted 3 weeks. If you have an education, a job, seem like you can stay awake and pay attention you have (unfortunately) a good chance of getting picked to preform your civic duty.
Your one ticket out, might just be the information you have on your blog, knowledge of whatever crime may be up for trial. The prosecutor may not want an informed juror who is familiar with crime happening in this city.
Parking on St Paul just beyond the Tremont Hotel, your juror sticker will get you your discount. If you do get picked, hope for Judge Bernstein.
What happens if you've lost your summons? I wrote down my number but I can't find the stupid piece of paper.
oh, yes to the phone in the courthouse, not in the actual courtroom, (phone has to be turned off) Laptops are fine, the quiet room is best to work and has comfy couches. I believe there is a day fee for internet use...depending on how busy of a day it is, might not be worth getting...if you keep going in for potential trials, your not really getting much internet work done.
After you pass through the metal detector, one of the jury rooms, and museum are to your left and the quiet room and more "loud" rooms are to your right.
After you enter and go through the metal detector you sit and wait till they begin to call numbers and then you will get paid. Then you will wait again until a juror group is called for possible trial selection and so the day goes on..a lunch break is given to you and you should be done no later than 4:30pm. Have fun.
mjb:
If you have your number but not your summons I think you should be ok. They have a list of people who have been summoned, so as long as you have your ID you shouldn't have a problem.
MJB---I recommend getting over to Roland Avenue and take the #61 bus right downtown; it's safe and convenient. That's what I did my last jury duty, instead of doing the parking the car thing. Driving into downtown and looking for the parking lot and waiting to get into it is a big hassle.
The 61 will drop you off right by the courthouse on St. Paul place in the morning, and you go over to Calvert Street later in the day for the northbound ride home. The 61 goes up Roland to Lake Avenue. The stops at Roland and Coldspring or Roland and University work.
You go first to room 240, Courthouse West (the main courthouse); once you get checked in and paid you can go to the quiet room. Some people bring their laptops, but I think the hassle factor would be too great to schlep around (a technical term). If you lost your summons, I don't think that's a problem, if you know your date and number.
You need to call 410-333-1555 after 5pm the day before your service to see if you're needed.
For other questions, the jury commissioner's office is 410-333-3775.
And yes, you'll be luck if you get Judge Bernstein.
If you dress like you're going to a wedding or church, defense attorneys will be loath to have you. When I go, always wear a tie (and offer to rent it to other male jurors). Nobody with a tie will be allowed by the defense. (that doesn't work for civil trials , though).
Well, if you take the MTA you run the risk of getting pummeled/robbed/stabbed/some combination of the three.
I've had to go through it at least twice in the past few years.
1) Bring a project that you can work on. It'll probably be a long day.
2) Stake out a corner for yourself when you're waiting.
3) If you receive money for lunch avoid the Subway at St. Paul - it's uber busy that time of day.
4) Dress very well. It'll be a pain, but you'll look too good for most defense attorneys.
5) Remember that there's a lot of entrances to the court, if you don't want to deal with too many people heading back in (assuming you need lunch).
We expect a full report upon your return!
Thanks for the tips, all!
I will wear a suit and try to look persnickety.
Sounds like there is no WiFi.
If you end up having your number called, be sure to get there in time for the HILARIOUS educational video they made for jurors. Don't miss the re-enactments of early colonial trials (i.e. if she floats, she's a witch)!
I was ready for the video to be awful, but I was laughing out loud.
Wow...Audrey thinks prosecutors don't want smart people. What a far cry from the truth! Defense attorneys wanted the dumbest they can find so that they fall for their antics of "cops lie...cops lie...cops lie... defense." I have noticed a trend of people dressing better for jury duty so the suit/tie might not get you tossed. Hopefully you will be picked and add an informed view to the panel.
I've been picked twice. Here's my advice:
1) Take the bus. Parking is a pain downtown. You won't be mugged on the bus or light rail, regardless of what the city-haters say.
2) Lunch will be the "high point". There is just enough time to walk to inner harbor. Think about where you want to go beforehand.
3) People try all kinds of stupid human tricks to get out of jury duty. Just be yourself. If you get picked, you get picked. Don't be a liar, be honest, ethical and do your best. Baloney about wearing a suit or not wearing a suit does not work. Your occupation is listed for the attorney's, they will pick you based on that as well as your appearance.
4) Try to be diplomatic during deliberations. This will be a challenge. It will not be fun. It will be a very uncomfortable clash of race, class and age.
Har! I just called 410-333-1555 and got instructions for "Friday, June 6."
8:15 A.m.
No Internet, no phone, no motorcar, not a single luxury...
and I'll probably get more done there in a day than I do in two weeks here!
How do you get to be a grand juror?
Mullet and a halter top?
For lunch I'm going to Cypriana for whatever platter comes with the most dips.
What do you know, there is WiFi! You just have to pay $5.95 a day for it. And yes the Stan Stovall "history of jury service" video is a hoot. And educational!
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