Serving on Jury Duty

I am to report for Jury Duty tomorrow and have a question as to what I can bring. The web site say I can bring a book but I'm also thinking of bringing my laptop to do some work. The web site does not mention it one way or the other. Does anyone know if you can bring a laptop? What about a wireless aircard to access my corporate e-mail?

Thanks in advance.

Rich

 

Let me know what you find out as I have jury duty next week.

Thanks!
--- John B.

 

Look - avoid the whole thing by walking into the waiting room, unshaven, unshowered, in a flannel shirt & BDU Camo pants and just start yelling "HANG THE SONOMFUZZYWINK!!!!!"

They'll show you out.

 

I served jury duty about 5 months ago. The only thing they let us bring/use were books and magazines. The notebook I brought to do some "to-do list planning" was not allowed and I had to turn it in, so I don't think a laptop will be allowed either.

 

i've gotten called 2, and once was chosen for the trail. and it was truly ridiculous (they kept us until almost midnight and didn't even let us take a break for dinner, and some had to go pick up their kids and they wouldn't allow us to leave!!!!).

do bring a book, magazine, or newspaper. you won't be allowed anything else.

most important....make sure you call the number they provided tonight to be sure that you're needed!!! they used to update the line after 6 (i believe) and you may not even need to go.

 

Are blackberry's or phone allowed or do those need to be turned in also?

 

Can't have those either.

 

Believe it or not I've never been summoned before so I would not mind serving and doing my civic duty. Plus, I believe that I don't have to vote then, correct? Let's face it. This election year is going to be pretty boring. Only kidding.

And I was planning on taking the "hang 'em all" stance so I probably won't get selected. If I get selected, I hope it's a juicy case.

 

No blackberry!!! I'm not sure I'll make it through the day. Anybody have some spare valium?

 

Careful what you ask for. That "juicy" case can land you on JD for several weeks!

 

Loudoun county rarely takes anything to trial. Cases are normally settled before court, sometimes the day of court. Hope you had fun!

 

When I went 3-4 years ago, I took my laptop and was able to use it in the waiting room area (forget what the formal name is, but we were there for over 2 hours). I can't remember if we were allowed to take our belongings to the courtroom or not, though. Did they change the rules about laptops recently?

 

Here is a link for VA Jury duty. It is not specific to the granularity of what you can and cannot bring however.

http://www.courts.state.va.us/jury/cover.htm

 

I'm going to court next week too, and I was told no electronics. I rarely get to read any books anymore so I'm looking forward to a few hours of a nice book.

 

Hello.
I just served this past Monday (July 14).
From what I saw, people were allowed to bring cell phones and blackberries into the waiting area. Some people even brought gameboys. They only asked that you turn off your cell phone before entering the courtroom. Entering the courtroom can take a few hours. Also, no lunch is provided. So some people brought their own snacks and drinks. FYI, all the magazines they provided were dated 2006.

 

Kaos... you know my husband. That's pretty much exactly what he plans to do. :rolleyes3: I'll probably have to bail him out of jail so I'll drop the kids at your house on my way to Leesburg.

 

I was of the same mind set as you. I looked forward to being a jurist and wanted a case to "judge". But I must tell you after sitting on a two day husband (6 time felon) raped his wife trial, I found the whole responsibility very stressful and waring. I am glad I did it but I didn't enjoy it, it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, sit in judgment of someone, and "get it right".

As a note, if you have a similar case and want off of it, those during the voir dare that said, "it was a woman's Godly duty to provide for their husband regardless of circumstances"... they were dismissed.

As for the overall experience, I thought the clerk's office did a fantastic job of accommodating the selected jurist and the potential jurists. They were very professional. They don't provide lunch, but you do get a small daily stipend if selected for a case.

Years before this case, I was selected for another case and we did have to sit for several hours in the back room, and then the case was eventually settled outside of earshot of the jury. Never found out what that case was about. Somethings are out of the control of "jury comfort".

Definitely bring a good book, I recommend "Civil Action" by Jonathan Harr.

 

No problemo - call me and I'll have Kamikazies for the return trip on ice.

 

You're the best, dear friend. You're the best.

(Just don't invite the Pea or they'll be gone by the time I get there.)

 

no worries sharse- I will protect them until you arrive.. lol