Should I Stay or Should I Go?

[George K]

Click to embiggen..

There are several courthouses in Cook County. This one is downtown, and a good location.

It might be fun, and I have the time, to be sure.

Cook County has a "One Day - One Case" policy. That means that, you show up, and if you're not selected that day, you're dismissed until the next go-around. OTOH, if you are selected, you sit that one case, regardless of how long it takes.

Yeah, it might be fun, but....

[Jolly]

Only if you've got the time to waste.

[Mik]

In Cook County? Nahh.

[Copper]

It might be fun to watch when the younger jurors have to turn off the cell phones.

[LuFins Dad]

Cook County. Any of the interesting cases will have the charges dropped…

[Horace]

Do it. I have jury duty myself on Tuesday.

[George K]

It must be 25 years ago now, when I last participated in the juror process.

Having sat around all morning and into the afternoon, about 50 of us were finally called into the courtroom for the judge to tell us the ropes.

The judge said, "Is anyone involved in any litigation in Cook County?"

A guy in the back of the room and I raised our hands. At the time, I was named in a malpractice lawsuit (it was a case where the surgeon left a needle in the patient, and since my name was on the chart....). The judge told us to approach.

I was dressed respectably - jacket and tie, and the judge pointed at me first.

"OK, what's your story?"

I told him that I was a defendant in a med mal case. He didn't ask particulars, but excused me, "OK, you're dismissed."

I turned to walk away from the bench, and as I was walking up the aisle of the courtroom, I heard the judge say to the other guy who raised his hand, "So, let me get this straight. You're an attorney representing someone who has a case in Cook County. Is that right?"

"Yes, judge."

"Sit down, counselor."

[George K]

@LuFins-Dad said in Should I Stay or Should I Go?:

Cook County. Any of the interesting cases will have the charges dropped…

This courthouse, I think, doesn't do a lot of criminal law. Property crimes, divorce, white-collar crimes, stuff like that.

[Mik]

Boring. Avoid.

[George K]

@Mik said in Should I Stay or Should I Go?:

Boring. Avoid.

Criminal division is at 26th and California (right by the jail, LOL).

This courthouse does

Domestic Relations
"Law" Division
Probate
Traffic
Civil Suits

Other stuff like that.

[Jon]

@Mik said in Should I Stay or Should I Go?:

Boring. Avoid.

Good nasty divorce case could be interesting.

[Klaus]

I'm surprised how threatening and unfriendly the letter is formulated.

Is a juror who is forced to be on a jury against his will and acts accordingly a good thing?