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Travis County Jury Duty Summons

[Updates below.]

Dear Prospective Juror: You are hereby summoned for jury service as set out below:
Oh, gawd. This ought to be just awesome.
* This summons must be answered, even if you are not qualified to serve or are exempt from jury service.

FAILURE TO ANSWER SUMMONS AND PENALTIES: A person who fails to comply with this summons is subject to a contempt action punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1000. (Government Code, Section 62.0141). Additionally, a person shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $100 if the person (1) fails to attend court in obedience to this notice without reasonable excuse; or (2) files a false claim of exemption from jury service. (Government Code, Section 62.111).


I bet this is a boon to their recordkeeping efforts. With legal compulsion like this, they'll at least get confirmation on names and addresses.
PROPER CLOTHING REQUIRED: All persons entering the courtroom should be dressed in clothing reasonably befitting the dignity and solemnity of the court proceedings.

I have a very strong feeling their evaluation of The Court's dignity and solemnity is not exactly similar to my evaluation. If I can't wear shorts and a t-shirt, I'm going to be pissed. I'll even avoid wearing my Murray Rothbard shirt, guys! Not going to stir up trouble where I'm outnumbered 20-to-1 on their home turf...

Anyway, after going through their handy-dandy online registration process, I'm now slated for "duty" sometime between July 23rd and July 27th. The last time I went through this, I was maybe 18 and I didn't get past the first round of selection.

I wonder how far I'll go. Is this for a grand jury or full trial? I wonder if the accused are accused of a real crime or a fake crime. Was someone killed, raped, assaulted, robbed, or defrauded? If I end up on the jury (and not go insane in the process), what will the people on it be like? Will they know the law or be swayed by the lawyers? Will I have to explain the concept of jury nullification to them? I know I'll need to read up a bit on jury service myself.

I'm not looking forward to this.

UPDATED 7/23/2007 8:45am
Today's the day.

Posted by drizzten on June 1, 2007 04:37 PM |

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Comments

2007202888

i was given a bogue website by laura over the phone who did not believe that i got a summons from Greg Hamilton. Aren't you people suppode to help callers ?????

Posted by: lynne whittington | December 5, 2008 02:57 PM

Ms. Whittington, I have nothing to do with the Travis County government so I don't know at whom "you people" is aimed.

Posted by: Drizzten | December 9, 2008 10:10 AM

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