Jury Summons Question

I wonder if they will let me document the trial, and what goes on in the Jury Room, with my camera and note taking... :scratch:

You are correct. I don't know the Judges. What are they going to do, send me home? That is why my original thought was to wear one that isn't so obvious, but definitely makes a statement, and as part of my freedom of speech, I dare the Judge to call me on it.

(BTW -- anyone mind checking on my dogs if I get thrown in jail :funn:?)

If you promise to stay in jail longer than Nicole Richie, I'll come house/dogsit! I miss SoWal...

I wonder if they will let me document the trial, and what goes on in the Jury Room, with my camera and note taking... :scratch:

You might just make some money if you take your stuff and do some sketches for them.

You are correct. I don't know the Judges. What are they going to do, send me home? That is why my original thought was to wear one that isn't so obvious, but definitely makes a statement, and as part of my freedom of speech, I dare the Judge to call me on it.

(BTW -- anyone mind checking on my dogs if I get thrown in jail :funn:?)

Wearing a "statement" might get you a contempt of court charge, and home isn't where you'd be going. At least not immediately.

Or, the judge might agree with you. They are unpredictable like that.

Wearing a "statement" might get you a contempt of court charge, and home isn't where you'd be going. At least not immediately.

Or, the judge might agree with you. They are unpredictable like that.

I am not aware of any laws limiting wearing a statement on my shirt, other than advertising for a political candidate within 500ft (or something like that) of the polling place, or having profanity or obscenities on it. The Jurry Summons clearly states no beach attire, but says nothing about wearing a statement on my clothing, probably because do so would be violating my freedoms protected by the US Constitution.

I am aware the Freedom of Speech does have some limitations, three of which I noted above, and another being not discussing the trial, during the trial, if one is a Juror, but if I stay within my rights, I feel sure that I can wear a statement without being in contempt. Here is an example, I could wear a tee-shirt that reads, "Get tough on crime." Or, "Just say no to drugs." I may look dumb, but I ain't stupid. ;-)

Maybe my shirt could be more subtle and read, something like:

- freedom

- gov't sucks

- pick me

- legalize pot and prostitution

- down with Whitey

- or maybe my signature line

What are they going to do, send me home?

Actually I have seen them send people to Walmart to buy appropriate clothes. But the deputies do it before the judge ever gets in the room. And they do make a note of who you are in case you dont come back.

Dear Smiling JOe,

Just do it. Save your get out of jail card for something more important like saving the beaches. I will not bail you out over this.

Your pal,

Miss Kitty

Actually I have seen them send people to Walmart to buy appropriate clothes. But the deputies do it before the judge ever gets in the room. And they do make a note of who you are in case you dont come back.

I hope they give me some money to buy the clothes, because I sure as hell am not buying clothing, using my own money, specifically to enter the Court Room, and I will raise hell about my tax dollars being used to benefit an individual citizen if they give me the money with the directive. That is not legal by any stretch of the law. What a crock of poo-poo, and a major violation of Freedom of Speech.

I hope they give me some money to buy the clothes, because I sure as hell am not buying clothing, using my own money, specifically to enter the Court Room, and I will raise hell about my tax dollars being used to benefit an individual citizen if they give me the money with the directive. That is not legal by any stretch of the law. What a crock of poo-poo, and a major violation of Freedom of Speech.

There you go! That's a nice, strong opinion.

I wonder if they will let me document the trial, and what goes on in the Jury Room, with my camera and note taking... :scratch:

No cameras, but definitely note taking, we were encouraged to take notes.

So just wear something appropriate to begin with. At least men are permitted to wear slacks and flat shoes. Geez. :roll:

So just wear something appropriate to begin with. At least men are permitted to wear slacks and flat shoes. Geez. :roll:

"Slacks?" What? Women cannot wear flat shoes to Court? What is with all of the dress codes? I thought I ditched those dress codes when I left the Country Club. Sandals are my shoes, as I wear them most everywhere. I wear shorts at least 300 days of the year, so that is a bunch of horse poo about not wearing shorts. I guess I will have to dig my pants out of winter storage. Better yet, I might dig through my Halloween Costumes to look for the pair of yellow capris which I have. I hope socks aren't required. I will definitely wear a coat, because I know that Judge has to keep the courtroom cold as a meat locker so that everyone wearing all of those clothes won't be sweating. What ever happened to those hot sweaty Court Rooms, where the defendants and their lawyers really felt the heat?

"Slacks?" What? Women cannot wear flat shoes to Court? What is with all of the dress codes? I thought I ditched those dress codes when I left the Country Club. Sandals are my shoes, as I wear them most everywhere. I wear shorts at least 300 days of the year, so that is a bunch of horse poo about not wearing shorts. I guess I will have to dig my pants out of winter storage. Better yet, I might dig through my Halloween Costumes to look for the pair of yellow capris which I have. I hope socks aren't required. I will definitely wear a coat, because I know that Judge has to keep the courtroom cold as a meat locker so that everyone wearing all of those clothes won't be sweating. What ever happened to those hot sweaty Court Rooms, where the defendants and their lawyers really felt the heat?

The new Jury Duty dress code.........

"Slacks?" What? Women cannot wear flat shoes to Court? What is with all of the dress codes? I thought I ditched those dress codes when I left the Country Club. Sandals are my shoes, as I wear them most everywhere. I wear shorts at least 300 days of the year, so that is a bunch of horse poo about not wearing shorts. I guess I will have to dig my pants out of winter storage. Better yet, I might dig through my Halloween Costumes to look for the pair of yellow capris which I have. I hope socks aren't required. I will definitely wear a coat, because I know that Judge has to keep the courtroom cold as a meat locker so that everyone wearing all of those clothes won't be sweating. What ever happened to those hot sweaty Court Rooms, where the defendants and their lawyers really felt the heat?

Upon further review, women reporting for jury duty may wear dress slacks, as can the employees of the Clerk's office when assigned to normal duties (though capris are specifically prohibited ). But unless it has changed, the deputy clerks who have court duty must wear dresses/skirts. I am not kidding. Several years ago, court got held up because the clerk scheduled for court got sick and they couldn't find another deputy clerk wearing a dress. Finally one who lived close to the Courthouse went home and changed. :roll:

If they look for socks (glad this isn't a chat room, I just typed that wrong ), they are looking too closely.

Note to Self S.J. Dont do watt this dude did;

Posted On: July 10, 2007 by Mark Eiglarsh</STRONG>
Jury duty excuse: I'm a racist, homophobic liar

A Cape Cod man who claimed he was homophobic, racist and a habitual liar to avoid jury duty earned an angry rebuke from a judge on Monday, who referred the case to prosecutors for possible charges.
"In 32 years of service in courtrooms, as a prosecutor, as a defense attorney and now as a judge, I have quite frankly never confronted such a brazen situation of an individual attempting to avoid juror service," Barnstable Superior Court Judge Gary Nickerson told Daniel Ellis, according to a preliminary court transcript of the exchange.
Ellis, of Falmouth, had been called to court with about 60 other potential jurors for possible service on a 23-member grand jury.
On a questionnaire that all potential jurors fill out, Ellis wrote that he didn't like homosexuals and blacks. He then echoed those sentiments in an interview with Nickerson.

"You say on your form that you're not a fan of homosexuals," Nickerson said.
"That I'm a racist," Ellis interrupted.
"I'm frequently found to be a liar, too. I can't really help it," Ellis added.
"I'm sorry?" Nickerson said.
"I said I'm frequently found to be a liar," Ellis replied.
"So, are you lying to me now?" Nickerson asked.
"Well, I don't know. I might be," was the response.
Ellis then admitted he really didn't want to serve on a jury.
"I have the distinct impression that you're intentionally trying to avoid jury service," Nickerson said.
"That's true," Ellis answered.
Nickerson ordered Ellis taken into custody. He was released later Monday morning.
Ellis could face perjury and other charges

Why is the dress code so extreme (compared to normal Sowal dress)? I understand having a dress code and wanting people to dress in a way that shows respect for the law/courtroom, but these seem a bit draconian.

A woman employee HAS to wear a skirt or dress? What YEAR is this?

My former boss used this all the time... "I believe the cops are out there doing their job. They don't go around arresting people for no reason, so if this person was arrested, they are probably guilty, or they wouldn't have been arrested, and since most criminals are repeat offenders, if he didn't do this crime, he probably did another one." He never served.

My former boss used this all the time... "I believe the cops are out there doing their job. They don't go around arresting people for no reason, so if this person was arrested, they are probably guilty, or they wouldn't have been arrested, and since most criminals are repeat offenders, if he didn't do this crime, he probably did another one." He never served.

SoWal is SoWal. This is DeFuniak we are talking about.

Twenty years ago, I worked for a bank that was headquartered in DeFuniak. We could only wear pants of any sort on Friday. It was not uncommon for those of us who were unmarried to be not-so-discreetly followed around on dates to make sure we were not having sex . Heaven forbid if you were seen smoking a cigarette, or drinking an alcoholic beverage, and it got back to our bank's president.

While the discrimination (and the bank) no longer exists, certain aspects of this mindset still exist, and ShallowsFuzz and I are acutely aware (or paranoid) that we "represent" Walton County, no matter where we go or what we do on our personal time. This is precisely why you won't see us having a drink in public in Walton County. (Jdarg's house, Chili's in Destin, and tailgating in Tallahassee don't count. ;-) )

DANG; sounds some what cultish.... or like one church (which shall be nameless) that I know so much about....

SoWal is SoWal. This is DeFuniak we are talking about.

Twenty years ago, I worked for a bank that was headquartered in DeFuniak. We could only wear pants of any sort on Friday. It was not uncommon for those of us who were unmarried to be not-so-discreetly followed around on dates to make sure we were not having sex . Heaven forbid if you were seen smoking a cigarette, or drinking an alcoholic beverage, and it got back to our bank's president.

While the discrimination (and the bank) no longer exists, certain aspects of this mindset still exist, and ShallowsFuzz and I are acutely aware (or paranoid) that we "represent" Walton County, no matter where we go or what we do on our personal time. This is precisely why you won't see us having a drink in public in Walton County. (Jdarg's house, Chili's in Destin, and tailgating in Tallahassee don't count. ;-) )

SoWal is SoWal. This is DeFuniak we are talking about.

Twenty years ago, I worked for a bank that was headquartered in DeFuniak. We could only wear pants of any sort on Friday. It was not uncommon for those of us who were unmarried to be not-so-discreetly followed around on dates to make sure we were not having sex . Heaven forbid if you were seen smoking a cigarette, or drinking an alcoholic beverage, and it got back to our bank's president.

While the discrimination (and the bank) no longer exists, certain aspects of this mindset still exist, and ShallowsFuzz and I are acutely aware (or paranoid) that we "represent" Walton County, no matter where we go or what we do on our personal time. This is precisely why you won't see us having a drink in public in Walton County. (Jdarg's house, Chili's in Destin, and tailgating in Tallahassee don't count. ;-) )

I do remember having a closing which had to take place a particular lawyer's office in DeFunk. Let's just say this "poor little 'ole small time lawyer" had a private plane (or was it a jet?). When I walked into his office, I felt like I had walked into the middle of a John Grisham movie set from the 1970s. I didn't realize DeFunk was 30 years out of date. However, they now have a Super Walmart, so they should loosen up.

Oh, I love DeFuniak. Been around it all my life, my brother lives there, my spouse was born, raised and graduated from high school there, I have many, many friends there, it's historical and beautiful, etc...but while SoWal has become suburban, DeFuniak is small southern town Victorian, and you just have to take that into account.

I haven't noticed higher dress standards when I've been up there for golf, funerals, etc. Some of it sounds typical of small towns, but seriously - very Harper Valley PTA!

My former boss used this all the time... "I believe the cops are out there doing their job. They don't go around arresting people for no reason, so if this person was arrested, they are probably guilty, or they wouldn't have been arrested, and since most criminals are repeat offenders, if he didn't do this crime, he probably did another one." He never served.

SJ, I was going to suggest this very statement, but decided against it - but since you put it out there......I'm 100% sure this will get you off jury duty. ;-) And I know what I'm talking about.

Don't forget - we offer civil trials too.

(I didn't come up with that on my own. That's what our administration told me the last time my name came up. )