Sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I didn't think it really fits into the P&R forum. Anyway, lucky me just got a notice in the mail today that I've been summoned to be on a grand jury starting March 15th and ending September 9th. I know there are a number of board members who are in the legal field so I figured this might be a good place to get some reliable info (as opposed to some of the crap I've found online thus far). I'm also wondering if anybody else here has had to serve on a grand jury before & how it turned out. This could really put a huge kink in my plans for this year if it's very involved & time consuming. TIA.... P.S. I don't want anybody to get the wrong idea, I WILL serve on the grand jury as I believe it's my duty as a citizen. I just want to get a better understanding of what will take place so I can alter my plans accordingly.
I don't think you have to be there every day for the six months. You should only be required to be there when needed. My former boss served on one and if I recall correctly it was very hit and miss.
My aunt had Federal JD a few years ago on Philly. They met once a week for several months. I don't recall, but I think there were occasions when they skipped a week here or there, but it was like every Thursday for six months.
a coworker of mine went every monday-thursday during the summer of 2004..she also got called for the same amount of time in 2003...ouch she is a large heavyset afro-american woman..great woman..full of life..BIG TEMPER can only imagine why they picked her twice in 2 years hehehe
It's been 30 years since my Pop was a Grand Jury Foreman, but that seems about right. As good a place to start as any: http://www.udayton.edu/~grandjur/faq/faq.htm
You know there's an old legal expression, "The can indict a ham sandwich." The reason is that typically grand juries go along with whatever the prosecutors presenting the case tell them to do. It is a very one sided process and the subject of the investigation is not allowed to have any legal representation present. If he is asked, he may show up, but he is at the mercy of the prosecutor(s) who is steering the whole show. So, all I am asking is that if you do go, please don't hesitate to speak out against the prosecutor if you see fit and rally a few others to your side. Don't let yourself become part of the rubber stamo facade known as today's grand juries. I'm sire you're a free thinker etc. but just keep these thoughts in the back of your mind when you are there. Thanks
