Jury Duty - Grand Jury

Submitted by pmizzle88 t3_11nxjl9 in pittsburgh

I just got summoned for grand jury service in Pittsburgh. I understand it meets once per month for 18 months. I know this is a huge commitment and I am conflicted because:

It sounds really interesting from what redditors who served on grand juries in other cities said

But…

I have a unique hardship at this time that would make it very difficult for me to make that kind of commitment. Even arranging things for me to report will be difficult

Has anyone here ever been summoned and/or served on a grand jury in Pittsburgh? I’m just curious what it’s like and how understanding they are of hardships. I’ve heard once that they try to select people who actually don’t mind being there and making that type of commitment, but I’m not sure if this is true. It sure seems like I’ve found myself in a unique situation haha

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toripearson_19 t1_jbplc2q wrote

It depends on the hardship. My fiance had to report for jury duty and they told everyone right of the bat that lack of childcare isn't even accepted as an excuse anymore.

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timesuck t1_jbpmgs0 wrote

Yeah for sure. I can’t speak for the grand jury process, but from my jury experience, I agree that the things the court considers hardships are much different than what the average person would consider a hardship.

They should absolutely offer childcare and pay people more if they want to make it easier for all types of folks to serve on juries.

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toripearson_19 t1_jbppq5h wrote

This! My fiance got $12 for having to be at the courthouse 8 hours. It's ridiculous they think it's ok to make someone miss a day of work pay to go sit at the courthouse all day. He didn't even serve on a jury. They just kept him there in case they needed an extra person.

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Jupichan t1_jbrpn94 wrote

I wound up losing a ton of money the time I went. Caught a bad case of the flu from the lady sitting next to me. Missed not only that day of work, but five more days after that.

But of course those five days were after I went to work for a day, because it was still incubating, and therefore I was "not sick yet."

So I took out the entire prepared foods department of a Market District.

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toripearson_19 t1_jbrqqfc wrote

My fiance actually got covid there! At least we're pretty sure. Then I caught it from him and had to miss work. And I'm a self-employed dog walker, so I don't get PTO or anything.

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just_an_ordinary_guy t1_jbru9bu wrote

And what it encourages is people saying shit they don't necessarily believe to try and get off the jury. Some folks have a job that will pay them their normal wages or a difference between what the court pays and their normal wages if they have jury duty, but it's not a legal requirement. So what you logically wind up with is pressure towards more well off people being on juries.

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Ivegotthehummus t1_jbpul5g wrote

Allegheny used to provide childcare but stopped during the pandemic. Such a loss. The ~$10 a day doesn’t even cover parking, let alone a babysitter (for someone without daycare or family).

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TheSpeedyBee t1_jbqfjux wrote

They do offer childcare, that’s why they don’t accept it as a hardship.

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pmizzle88 OP t1_jbpm8yo wrote

That makes sense. It would be very difficult to fill any jury if that was accepted as an excuse. It seems like grand juries are unique in the time commitment involved. I wonder how that differs from typical jury duty summons?

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logdog131 t1_jbpnqgj wrote

I was on one that just ended last year. What you’ve heard about the selection process is wrong. They don’t do any kind of interview work you. They put you in a room and pull numbers at random to see who is on the jury. Everyone else is still obligated to be an alternate if someone drops out or has to take a sick day.

It was a little less than once per month actually. Mine was 1-2 days every six weeks and you get the schedule in advance.

Your employer is required to excuse your absence on jury days. Jury days were a heck of a lot easier and shorter than my real job so I actually enjoyed it for the most part.

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More-Adhesiveness-54 t1_jbppszb wrote

>I was on one that just ended last year. What you’ve heard about the selection process is wrong. They don’t do any kind of interview work...

Sorry if I'm being obtuse, but isn't this what voir dire is? I've been on juries (though never a grand jury) and have been questioned during the evaluation process on multiple grounds. That doesn't happen for grand juries?

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logdog131 t1_jbpseeg wrote

It does not happen for the 18mo federal grand juries. Over 18 months you see dozens of cases brought on by US district attorneys. All you do is hear the evidence and vote on indictments. There are lots of different types of cases so they don’t screen anyone out based on any biases. Jurors recuse themselves if a case ever comes up involving someone they know.

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just_an_ordinary_guy t1_jbrugz2 wrote

A grand jury is just to determine if a prosecutor has enough evidence to indite. There is no voir dire like for a trial jury.

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pmizzle88 OP t1_jbpta1g wrote

How were the jury days? I’ve seen people comment on other posts stating federal grand juries were often quite interesting to sit on (it seems like you were federal from other comments). It seems like a trend as many people from other subreddits seem to enjoy their time overall.

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logdog131 t1_jbpuvn5 wrote

They were pretty chill. The average day was probably 9-3 with a few short breaks. Some cases are really interesting. Some stuff is hard to listen to. Every time you come back it’s with the same group so you end up making friends too.

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ChUNkyTheKitty t1_jbruj40 wrote

I have in Pittsburgh. they won’t make you do it if you have a compelling reason that you can’t (even beyond the questions they’ll ask at the selection process). I will say it was one of the most interesting experiences I’ve ever been a part of. And it is for 18 months but it can and usually is stretched out into 24 months.

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pmizzle88 OP t1_jbsr4ev wrote

Yeah, it does seem really interesting and most internet responses from people that have done it seem to really enjoy the experience. If I didn’t have the unique situations I’m in, I think I would largely welcome it. Law has always interested me and it seems like sitting on a grand jury might be pretty neat.

I just don’t like how it is for so long. I don’t see how they can make you commit up to two years of your life and there is nothing you can do about it, especially when regular jury duty is so light in comparison. Seems like more of a punishment

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ChUNkyTheKitty t1_jbtav9v wrote

I get that A lot of people aren't able to participate from the selection process. It's life. You're doing what's best for you. I respect that.

And if you were asking for fed GJ. That's not me.

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desolation-of-frog t1_jbruvdo wrote

You should do it! And you have to keep us updated how it goes. Good luck!

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PrincessBella1 t1_jbrh7c8 wrote

I was summoned for Grand Jury duty last November. I work in healthcare in a specialized field, my schedule is set 3 months ahead of time and I found out I was on call that day. I explained my situation on the form and asked them to try again in February. So far I haven't gotten called back. So I wonder if you are that specialized, they will let you defer.

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tpeck90 t1_jbrhb2b wrote

Got my summons for beginning of april 🤟

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naturalheel t1_jbrhk6i wrote

I was part of a training program about 10 years ago. I told them that I had to go for training once per month. They excused me and I never heard from them again.

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KentuckYSnow t1_jbrdctj wrote

Two words - "jury nullification"

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[deleted] t1_jbqeiuv wrote

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hooch t1_jbqgxmx wrote

Playing with fire there, just saying

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[deleted] t1_jbst043 wrote

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hooch t1_jbszbji wrote

That’s great. I tend to avoid things that can even remotely land me in legal trouble. But you do you.

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[deleted] t1_jbqite0 wrote

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Ceekay151 t1_jbsp8b1 wrote

Lucky you...I know a couple people who ignored jury summons & shortly afterward had a sheriff knocking at their door...they were told if they ignored any others that came their way, that they'd go to jail

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