Jury Duty Problem

[Hawkbit]

I've been deferring a jury duty summons for the past two years because it conflicts with my university lectures. This year I've been selected for a time when I'm going to be out of state for my graduation. Unfortunately, I can't defer and my excuse (being out of state) was denied.

Does anyone know what happens when you don't show? It looks like it's a misdemeanor, but I want to know what I'm getting myself into.  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?Cite=2.36.170

[Signe]

In Pennsylvania they can make you go to court.  If you don't have a good reason for missing jury duty, they can put you in jail for a couple days -which they never do, fine you $50 to $1000, make you pick up trash on the roadside, or some other lame community service rubbish.  I've heard that in some states they charge you if your absence if it caused a delay.  Someone told me they were charged $650 for delays caused by him not showing up in spite of having a good reason for not turning up.

Maybe you could write them a letter explaining why you're not showing up just to have it on file in case they make you go to court?

[rattran]

When I was called for a time I was out of state, they were happy to reschedule for a definite time later.  Being out of state was not an excuse, but the fact I was willing to agree to a specific date 6 weeks later was fine.

[Hawkbit]

Thanks, all. I'm currently writing the judge that oversees this to see about getting another deferment. Of course, because the courts system is still in the Stone Age, I have to snail mail the letter.

It's pretty amazing, the guy that handles the excusals straight up denied me. I told him I spent $1000+ on airfare to get my family to Ohio so we can attend my graduation, of which I've worked my ass off for the past three years. The guy didn't even acknowledge it, his response: "I am unable to postpone this obligation a third time."

Geez. Guy must be a hit at parties.

[shiznitz]

When you request a deferment, offer a time that you absolutely can serve.  Hard to see anyone getting charged with avoiding jury duty after offering to serve jury duty.

[Samwise]

If you've been putting them off for a solid 2 years I can understand why they've lost their patience.  Here they make you reschedule within six months.

[Lantyssa]

It's odd they took deferrals anyways.  Here if you're a full-time student you're completely excused until the next time you're selected.  (And if you're still a student, you can get excused again.)

[Paelos]

If you've been putting them off for a solid 2 years I can understand why they've lost their patience.  Here they make you reschedule within six months.

Pretty much. You cried wolf twice already. You're going to get burned eventually.

[Merusk]

I'm going to go with, "You're hosed and they'll put a warrant out for you so don't get a speeding ticket." However I've never been called so I have no experience here.

I'm willing to bet you'll get double burned and be put on a long trial now instead of some low-level case.

[Hawkbit]

Always a ray of sunshine, you guys. 

Lots of good advice in here, much appreciated. I'm going to add my return date to the letter like shiz mentioned; hopefully will appear a bit more sincere. It's weird; they don't excuse students at all in Washington.

Another wierd thing? I was never called once in Ohio, yet both my wife and I were called within six months of moving to Seattle.

[ezrast]

I'm willing to bet you'll get double burned and be put on a long trial now instead of some low-level case.

Not that I know anything about the internals of the court system, but I'd be mildly surprised if the sheer amount of bureaucracy involved allows that to be anywhere near worth the effort unless someone on the inside is REALLY pissed off.

[Merusk]

I didn't mean out of somne deliberate spite. I meant out of dodging karma. She's a bitch, you see.  Luck's run out and now you get double plus bad!

But I'm a positive person like that.

[Torinak]

Always a ray of sunshine, you guys. 

Lots of good advice in here, much appreciated. I'm going to add my return date to the letter like shiz mentioned; hopefully will appear a bit more sincere. It's weird; they don't excuse students at all in Washington.

Another wierd thing? I was never called once in Ohio, yet both my wife and I were called within six months of moving to Seattle.

No, they don't excuse students at all in some states. I had to serve on jury duty one week before my PhD defense. Thankfully, jury duty only lasted a couple of days...it'd already taken about six months to schedule my defense, due to frequent travel of two of the panel.

[WayAbvPar]

If you can contact the bailiff for the judge directly you may have more luck. Including your availability times after your trip is probably a good plan as well.

King County is tough to get excused a lot of times. I claimed hardship when I was in a pool since the trial was going to go a month plus and I am literally the only person that could do my job (I was going home after court and working several hours on a crisis). I had to ask the judge directly in open court or selection or whatever in order to get out of it. Thankfully he had mercy on me.

[Malakili]

It's funny.  I got called, made myself available, and then the whole cycle passed without them actually needing me during my term 

[Morat20]

In Houston, at least, being a full-time student OR a parent of a kid under a certain age exempts you. (The latter, I suppose, because most parents either have to pick up, drop off, or otherwise arrange for someone to watch kids under that age so they spend more time excusing parents than actually using them on jury duty).

Last two times I've been down there, I've never gotten past the first step. I suppose that'll change eventually.

[jgsugden]

The summons usually indicates what to expect if you do not show.  Not to be that guy, but did you read the paper they sent you?

[Hawkbit]

Yep! There's nothing on the summons, but the website states that it's a crime to intentionally not appear as directed (a misdemeanor). When I asked for a deferral, the guy denied me. So I asked him what happens if I don't show, his one-liner was "I can’t give you any legal advice."

My wife is an attorney and she said they'll likely issue a bench warrant, then she'll represent me and explain the circumstances. We're just hoping to avoid all that shit when I can postpone for a few weeks.

[Miasma]

Your wife is a lawyer but you are asking the internet for advice?  I know we have a few lawyers here and I assume they are not answering because they can get in trouble for out of state advice plus you are basically asking what will happen if you intentionally break the law.  No one here who actually knows the answer to your question can answer it.

[Paelos]

Your wife is a lawyer but you are asking the internet for advice?

F13 is moving up in the world.

[Hawkbit]

I hadn't chatted with her about it when I did the initial post. I had an hour of rage this morning when the guy denied me and was trying to determine if I should go full-Nerf or not.

Sure, its generally bad to take Internet advice, but the majority of posters here are adults and some people have gone through similar odd things in their lives. This forum is some weird type of litmus test, a W.W.F13.D?. It doesn't mean I'm going to pick the first answer and go with it.

I guess that's my awkward way of saying I like you folks and thanks for the opinions. You all might eat your young and thoroughly enjoy poking bears with sticks, but overall you're a good group of people.

[Furiously]

Move to another state under an assumed name. It's the only way.

[Evildrider]

Here is a list of non extradition countries.   

Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, the Central

African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo (Kinshasa), Congo (Brazzaville), Djibouti, Equatorial

Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan,

Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands,

Mauritania, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal,

Niger, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé & Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia,

Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu,

Vatican, Vietnam and Yemen.

[Hawkbit]

Jesus, that list. What are my best options, Russia? Maldives and the Marshall islands are pretty, but I'm not cut out for island living. Maybe Vietnam?

[Cyrrex]

I guess that's my awkward way of saying I like you folks and thanks for the opinions. You all might eat your young and thoroughly enjoy poking bears with sticks, but overall you're a good group of people.

 

Also, WWF13D needs to become a thing.  Those are always the most entertaining threads around here, by far.

[Pennilenko]

Also, WWF13D needs to become a thing. 

I want that on a shirt.

[Abagadro]

Don't Do What Donny F13 Does

[Paelos]

WWND - What would Nerf Do

[Chimpy]

WWND - What would Nerf Do

We all know he would just burn that mutha fucka down, Pookie.

[01101010]

Jesus, that list. What are my best options, Russia? Maldives and the Marshall islands are pretty, but I'm not cut out for island living. Maybe Vietnam?

Madagascar. You will survive the impending plague and be around to repopulate the Earth. 

[Teleku]

Montenegro is actually really nice.

[Paelos]

WWND - What would Nerf Do

We all know he would just burn that mutha fucka down, Pookie.

I feel like Nerf is the embodiment of a Country song rap battle.

[jgsugden]

If the Caymans nixed extradition, I think embezzling would skyrocket...

[Lantyssa]

I recommend avoiding Vanuatu unless you want to help with rebuilding efforts.  I supposed you could make a personal edition of Survivor:  Hawkbit go Islander

[Rasix]

I think jury duty was more interesting than any of my graduations.  Although, Steve Kerr speaking was probably more entertaining than the expert testifying about the meth contents of a baggie.