Federal jury duty was a much bigger deal. I knew that when the summons came. It wasn’t in the mail, it was delivered by a guy knocking on my door and making me sign that I had received it. I ended up having to go to Albuquerque three times. I had to be there by 8 am, so I would drive down the afternoon before and stay in a motel.
The first time we all waited around for an hour or so then were told they were delayed, we could leave and come back by 1 pm. I wasn’t chosen for the jury, so I was able to drive home that afternoon. The second time was more fun. It turned out Kaitlin could come with me, so we rented a room and had fun together the afternoon before. The jury selection didn’t take very long and again I wasn’t selected. The third time I went alone, which was a good thing because I was chosen and the trial lasted a day and a half. The government managed to find hotel rooms for those of us from out of town.
Then no more trips to Albuquerque, but I got called to Santa Fe about two weeks before my 90 days were up. I wasn’t worried, there were a lot more people in front of me while they were selecting the jury. I figured there was little chance of them getting to me, and even if I were picked I would surely be able to go home that night. No such luck. Most of the people in the room got excused, and once the jury was picked we were told we would be sequestered for the trial. Federal marshals divided us up and drove us home to pack for an extended stay.
Kaitlin had been visiting with our next-door neighbors and when she came home there were two people on the porch waiting, a federal marshal was in our living room, and I was in the bedroom packing. When she came in and saw me she said, “Mommy, what did you do?!” She was in seventh grade and with our friends in the next apartment she would be fine, so that was the best part of the experience.
The trial lasted about five days. The reason so many people before me got excused was the fellow was a notorious crook. Most people knew about him so couldn’t have given him a fair trial. We jurors were sequestered because the government wanted to be sure they won the case. They didn’t want him to tamper with us and go free.
It was an interesting experience, but one I’m glad I never had to repeat!
October 26, 2023
I am so thankful i never had to do the federal thing. we are 1 hour from Tampa federal courts and I was afraid i would get called there. I don’t like be OLD but i do like I am excused from jury duty now. I have heard stories of federal trials going on for months, and people with children like you were. I was only on one jury, it lasted 3/4 of the day.
I was lucky that the trial in Albuquerque I was a juror for was over the second day. It could have been a lot worse!
Wow. I’d have been terrified to come home to see strangers overseeing my mother’s packing. Of course, we’ve all heard about jurors being sequestered in high-profile cases — but I’d no idea the process(es) leading up to it. And you couldn’t refuse?! I’m not that adventuresome.
No, I couldn’t refuse.
Wow! That’s an experience I am glad to have missed. Since, I don’t follow the news, I would probably have been picked.
I thought that part was funny.
You sure have interesting jury duty stories! So did you find the cook guilty?
Yes. And he was on the local news that night. They said the whole thing was going to be expensive for him, where would he get the money? He said, “Probably sell some more food stamps.” That’s what he had been convicted of. 😀
We don’t think anyone in our family has had federal jury duty. That sounds like quite the experience. Glad it was you and not us:)
Yes, it’s a good thing to avoid. 🙂
I was never called, they didn’t like my answers to the questionnaire I got and they told me they’d not be asking me again. I’m glad you served though, good for you.
That must have been a relief. I know I’m relieved to be off the hook now.
One of the advantage of old age: automatic excusal from jury duty! I’ve been called and excused several times.
It’s a nice perk. 🙂
What an interesting experience. I wasn’t even aware there was a difference between regular jury duty and federal jury duty. I’ve only got the local summons
You were lucky. I hadn’t known about federal jury duty either.