“I’m not from this country”
I use this sentence a lot, usually at work when I say something inappropriate, or when I’m out with my American friends (and say something inappropriate). But, when it really mattered, I couldn’t use it…
You see, about 3 years ago I got my citizenship — I’m a full blown ‘Merican now, and with great citizenship, comes great responsibility!
I first got the letter inviting me to do my civic duty way before I became a citizen, and I had to return it with a “no thanks, I’m not a citizen” reply.
Can’t do that again.
Thank you Law & Order!
To be frank, I was kind of excited about doing Jury duty. As a kid, growing up admiring New York and experiencing it through Television, I was able to quote a suspect’s Miranda rights (thank you Jerry Orbach) and had a better handle on the justice system in the US than I did in my home country.
I quickly learned however, that the perception of Jury Duty here in the states though, is actually that of a time waster. I can relate to that — I mean, who wants to be taken away and secluded in a shitty hotel for 8 weeks with strangers while quietly observing a case about asbestos??
So when I got my first jury summons I replied with a request to postpone it, it worked! The second time though, the envelope said I must attend, but I had just started a new job and really could not afford to miss so much work. When I went there and asked for another postponement they were very understanding and they immediately set a date, 6 months in the future, which I immediately forgot about.
Until I received the next letter…
This one was angry, it said on the envelope: “Previously Absent, Must Serve” — So I knew this time I had to go. As a good nerd, I went online and started looking for resources to prepare me for this, what to expect when you’re expecting Jury Duty type of guide, but none was to be found. So I promised myself that I will fix that and hopefully help other people who are faced with doing Jury Duty in NYC.
The following is a description of my experience and may not be representative of everybody’s experience, but another data point is always nice to have.
In the criminal justice system, the people are judged by a jury of their peers, these are their stories <Dun Dun>
Who doesn’t love judging other people? I do that recreationally so why not get paid $40 for it? (some restrictions apply)
Well, as it turns out, most people don’t and after spending a day there, I don’t either.
Getting There
I was summoned to serve in Manhattan, the court’s address is 60 Centre St, but when I arrived (fashionably late, thank you MTA) there was a huge line to get in that wound out of the court and spilled onto the stairs.
Here’s your first tip: There’s a back entrance!
Yes! if you go around the building there’s an entrance that usually has no line and will get you there faster. I didn’t know about it, but now you do.
So I stood in line, like an idiot, for what felt like eternity, while they checked everybody with metal detectors and checked their bags — basically airport security, but for courts.
Inside the Courthouse
Once I made it in, I have to say that even though it was my second time there, it was still pretty impressive — The main room is a giant circle with a beautiful mural on the ceiling and an awe inspiring chandelier. When I tried to take a picture I was yelled at — apparently that’s not allowed — I don’t understand why make a place so instagrammable if you’re not going to allow your visitors to take pictures!
Upon entering the courthouse, I was greeted with yet another very long and winding line, I assumed this was for jury duty, so I asked the last person in line, he informed me that this is the line for getting out of jury duty.
Pro tip: When you arrive, you can stand in line to get a postponement due to hardship — that can be anything from job, kids, etc — you go in, state your case, and if they let you go, you’re out of jury duty for a while — most people were able to get out of it
Actual jury duty selection is held upstairs on the 4th floor, room 452
Room 452
When you go upstairs you arrive at a strange room — there’s a person explaining the process to two separate room in this weird U configuration. You get 3 forms, choose a seat and begin listening to instructions. These are pretty banale — don’t leave a dirty area, make sure you collect your stuff, etc.
Pro tip: There is limited seating on the side of the bigger of the two rooms with a desk and power — you can connect your laptop and work from there if you are so inclined, but get there early because those fill up fast. If you are not able to secure a working area, you can always go to the “Juror Lunch Room”, which is an adjacent room where you can sit at a round table and there are power outlets abound and a speaker system that allows you to hear what’s going on in the large two rooms.
Pro tip: They have the wifis and it works very well
Lists of Names
After about an hour of explanations and people trickling in and out, they start with the assignment of jurors to cases, here’s how that worked:
It all started with a statement that there’s a very big case about Asbestos that will last for over 8 weeks and therefore they have made a list of potential jurors that will need to fill out an extra form detailing their hardships and why they cannot serve on a long trial — about 50 names read out loud to the room.
After that, the trend continued, they kept calling out names and sending them to separate “Jury selection rooms”. By the 3rd list of names, the two rooms were starting to clear up, and my name was not yet called — which was just fine for me as I had some work I needed to finish.
But then, on the 4th list of names, I was summoned to appear in Jury Selection Room C. We were warned that they have a zero tolerance policy for using the phone or any electronic devices while in that room under the threat of having to come over every day for a week after that — I’ve never felt so much like a child in school (even when I was at school)
So I made my way to Room C, with my phone silenced and my laptop bagged…
Room C
I finally arrived at room C at about 11:30am and my stomach was already growling.
Two lawyers entered the room and introduced themselves, they spoke generally about the case, which happened to be about medical malpractice. They talked about the schedule — it’ll start on Friday (It was Monday) and will take 2 weeks, of which you will have to serve 5 active days. They also mentioned that they are looking to find 6 jurors with 2 alternates.
After introducing themselves, the lawyer asked if anyone has any issues with serving on this jury. Out of the 30 people in the room, about 23 raised their hand. The lawyers went outside and saw the people one at a time, at the end of this process, 11 were left in the room, including yours truly. Those that were disqualified for this case (with excuses like “I hate doctors and can't be impartial”) were sent back to 452 where presumably they were called to other cases.
Pro tip: If you don’t want to serve, do not claim hardship to the lawyers, they will not be able to excuse you for that — that can get you a postponement in the downstairs room, but not with them.
Yo Eleven
Of the 11 remaining potential jurors, 5 were selected to sit in the front row and be interviewed by both the plaintiff’s lawyer and the defendant’s lawyer.
In one of the forms you are asked to fill out when you arrive, are a few questions about your experience with the judicial system — have you ever been involved in a trial, have you ever testified, etc. The lawyers perused these forms prior to starting to ask questions of the selected 5 candidates.
The questions revolved around these experiences with the system as well as their experience with doctors and their thoughts about medical malpractice. They were trying to ascertain if they can be impartial.
The plaintiff’s lawyer asked first and then when it was the defendant’s lawyer’s turn, it was 12:45 and we broke for lunch
Lunch
There are some options in the building: there’s a vendor that sells snacks and coffee, but he usually leaves around 2pm, there are also vending machines but that’s it. You definitely get enough time to go out and eat so I recommend that, I found a great thai place with a green curry to die for — I had two!
And We’re Back
When we arrived back, the defendant’s lawyer continued to question the 5 people in front and the plaintiff’s lawyer asked a few more before they left the room for around 10 minutes, leaving us inside to wonder what’s going on. There were some sporadic conversations including one comment from a woman who said something like “I hope they pick you all and not me “— I get it, but keep it to yourself next time.
Upon returning to the room, they let one of the top 5 go back to the main room to everyone’s surprise (and one person’s chagrin — you know who you are) and they took 4 people with them out of the room
And Then There Were Eight
Back in the room, tensions were a bit high, but still civil. Blunt woman was quiet this time and we were all wondering what’s next.
When they came back, they looked over the forms and quietly deliberated before calling to the first row someone who had the unmistakable look of a lawyer. They started to question him: “Did you think of anything during lunch that might disqualify you from serving on this case?” — He asked to go outside and chat with them. This time I eavesdropped — I heard him mention that he’s a lawyer and say something about a conflict of interests, but he was sent back to the room.
A couple of minutes later, though, the lawyers came back to the room and sent him back to the big room.
Seven
I’ll remind you that they are still looking for 2 more jurors and 2 alternates, and there were seven of us left in the room. They called to the front row a new person, this time they asked him if he wanted to go outside to chat with them but he said no. They read over his questionnaire but started with the question: “Do you think you’re a good candidate for this case?” — He immediately said no, claiming he was the victim of medical malpractice himself, then poof!
Six
A lot of fingernails are being bitten right now in the room (I was busy documenting everything, so my nails were safe)
They called another name, and because this person was one of the people who raised their hand in the first round, they asked him if he’d like to go outside first. He said yes, they went out together, he came back, they came back and he was sent back to the big room.
Five
Five people left means only one of the five gets to go back — the pressure was palpable.
They called this guy who said that his scheduling conflict was resolved and he’s good to go, they interviewed him about his doctor sister and there was visible concern from the plaintiff’s lawyer about him, he was asked questions like: “Did you look up to your sister?” and others along that vein. They then left the room and came back to send him back to the big room — not a huge surprise.
Four
We all have to go now — was the thought on everyone’s mind at this point and the next person called was the person who was vocal about her wanting us to be selected instead of her.
They immediately went outside with her, she was speaking very quietly but I could hear her giving them some sad story. She came back, they stayed out, they came back and she was sent back
Relief — not everybody has to go I guess
Three
At this point they said that they are looking for alternates only, that sucked — being an alternate means that you won’t be able to actually vote but you just listen in case one of the other jurors has to be excused for some reason.
My name was called and I asked to go outside. I honestly told them that I’m currently interviewing for a new job and that I will not be focused as an alternate. They sent me back, they came back, I got to go to the big room.
It was 3:30pm
Good News/Bad News
The big room was relatively empty at this point, but the work stations were all taken, so I went to the lunch room to continue working. By the time I had set everything up, they announced over the speakers that they have good news and bad news.
The bad news: “If you’re working tomorrow, you’ll have to go to work”
The good news: “You’ve finished your jury duty and are exempt for 4 years”
It sunk in immediately, and the rooms exploded in massive applause!
The speaker went on with some boilerplate speech about cleaning after yourself and the 40 dollar payment you might receive in 6–8 weeks.
We all listened to one last name list where we were asked to collect our proof of service and go home.
To Sum Up
While I didn’t get to serve this time, I’m still pretty excited for doing jury duty if I ever feel like I can afford it timewise, perhaps when the kids are older.
Everybody was nice, polite and understanding and if you really don’t want to serve, you won’t — but you really should — Being judged by your peers is one of the cornerstones of the american justice system and if everybody shirks their responsibility we will be left with a broken system.
Please do not let this guide as a way to get out of jury duty, if you can, serve, and if you can’t, you probably won’t have to.
