DC Jury Duty AGAIN

We moved here twelve years ago from the Midwest. I think I was called to jury duty one time in the thirty years we lived there. Without a doubt, you can depend on having jury duty in DC at least every two years. The last time I was summoned was September 1, 2016. And guess what? I got a summons yesterday in the mail - September 1, 2018. Isn’t that just a coincidence? Of course, the date for this summons is for October - just a few days more than the two year opt out option. So I filled in all the required information on line, including the section for the date you last served. When I logged out, it said the court will review the dates of my last service and determine if I am eligible to get excused. I highly doubt it but it’s worth the try - especially since this is the FIFTH time I have to go. Being retired doesn’t make it any easier - in fact it’s more inconvenient because we were just planning some trip options but that’s now on hold. And if it’s anything like the last time, my husband got his summons about a week after I got mine. This is definitely another reason we wouldn’t mind living elsewhere. This is the kind of lottery I don’t like winning. 

A Walk to the DC Courthouse for Jury Duty

I had jury duty last week and had to be at the courthouse by 8 AM. I was called for a murder trial and was there most of the day only to finally be released after the jury quota was met. My husband had jury duty this morning and didn't have to be there until 10:30 AM. He drove me the one mile because it was early in the day. But we decided to walk this morning instead, and then I would walk home by myself. We took our time, and arrived within twenty five minutes. The place was jammed with traffic and pedestrians alike - maybe it's because the holiday weekend ended and all the real business begins. So after I dropped him off, I started back and took a little different way home, trying to stay in the shade as much as possible. There is a complex of courthouse buildings, and a very shady park. Crossing The street takes you to the art museum, then pass by the Capitol building and on to the the US Botanic Garden. I stopped a bit to check out the flowers, and the bees, and the views. Then I headed up Independence Avenue in the shade of the house office buildings. In the end it only amounted to 2.8 miles!  By the time I took a shower, had a slight bite to eat, and settled in to write my blog the phone rang. It was my husband calling to get picked up. He was already dismissed after just two hours! Another example of Wiley Coyote. He was glad to get back home. 

Jury Duty AGAIN!

I think I served on Jury duty one time in the thirty years we lived in Wisconsin. We have lived in DC for ten years, and I just received notice for jury duty for the FOURTH time. It is beyond annoying to have to do this duty so often. I'm not sure what that says about the affairs of this town. The only thing different about it this time is that I am retired and will be compensated "handsomely" for spending however many days doing this. If it isn't me, my husband gets called as many times. So essentially you could say that we are at the courthouse every year between the two of us. Now you can register on line before you go. Luckily we now have iPads and iPhones to keep us occupied. The last time I spent the entire time doing a cat custom digital portrait. But I actually didn't mind missing work and do that instead. But since I am retired that is the last place I  want to be - iPad or not. 

The Price of Jury Duty

I have been called for jury duty three times since we moved to DC. My husband and daughter in law have also been called as many times apiece. We lived in Milwaukee thirty years and I was called once. Because I'm working, the Library would pay for the day or days spent at the courthouse. I've never actually served on a jury but came close only once. This time they only called for one group and we were free to leave by 3 PM. A week or so later the certificate of appreciation and four dollar check were mailed to the house. I'm not sure how most people can afford being away from the job. Luckily I didn't have to serve on a Monday or Friday, because I'm now off on those days. Receiving a four dollar check in the mail feels so antiquated, but it gave us an opportunity to try the check deposit feature using the bank's mobile app. Not a good reason to serve, but at least I got something out if it.