Teacher arrested after failing to appear for jury duty

[Ptarmigan]

Teacher arrested after failing to appear for jury duty
http://www.click2houston.com/news/teacher-arrested-after-failing-to-appear-for-jury-duty/-/1735978/19977280/-/melbji/-/index.html

Despite the explanation, Judge Kelly Case signed a writ of attachment, or warrant, and Young was arrested.  The writ is not yet in court records and Case has refused to offer any comment.

“I have never heard of a judge doing this. It is absolutely beyond the pale he would abuse his power to lock up a citizen of this county who has done nothing wrong,” said Gaines.

The judge is a real idiot. 

[Eupher]

I think the judge sent a clear message:

"Jury duty is a civic duty and one that must be done."

He evidently didn't buy the teacher's argument that she had to attend an "event" for her "cancer-free homebound student."

I've been called to appear for jury selection. I wasn't selected for the pool, probably because I have a family member whose criminal history was similar to the case being tried.

I saw PLENTY of people who made it to court and who explained -- IN PERSON -- to the judge that they'd worked 3rd shift the night before and had had no sleep; that they had a sick family member at home; and several other reasons. As far as I can determine, all of those folks were excused.

But they SHOWED UP IN PERSON. None of that bullshit of calling the court and telling the court the sob story of the week.

I'd think that other jury selectees are going to think twice about pulling the same shit as this teacher did.

[CG6468]

I have and never will be selected for a jury pool. When they find out that I've testified in 4 or 5 trials and have had my deposition taken 31 times, I'm immediately dismissed.

[Ptarmigan]

I think the judge sent a clear message:

"Jury duty is a civic duty and one that must be done."

He evidently didn't buy the teacher's argument that she had to attend an "event" for her "cancer-free homebound student."

I've been called to appear for jury selection. I wasn't selected for the pool, probably because I have a family member whose criminal history was similar to the case being tried.

I saw PLENTY of people who made it to court and who explained -- IN PERSON -- to the judge that they'd worked 3rd shift the night before and had had no sleep; that they had a sick family member at home; and several other reasons. As far as I can determine, all of those folks were excused.

But they SHOWED UP IN PERSON. None of that bullshit of calling the court and telling the court the sob story of the week.

I'd think that other jury selectees are going to think twice about pulling the same shit as this teacher did.

You are wrong. Sending someone for jail is unusual. It results in a fine.

[Ptarmigan]

I have and never will be selected for a jury pool. When they find out that I've testified in 4 or 5 trials and have had my deposition taken 31 times, I'm immediately dismissed.

Interesting. I have also heard more educated people are dismissed as well.

[CG6468]

Interesting. I have also heard more educated people are dismissed as well.

They don't want anyone on the jury who understands our legal system and its trials.

[Dori]

I saw PLENTY of people who made it to court and who explained -- IN PERSON -- to the judge that they'd worked 3rd shift the night before and had had no sleep; that they had a sick family member at home; and several other reasons. As far as I can determine, all of those folks were excused.

That wouldn't have worked here.  I was in a jury pool and the judge wasn't taking any excuses. The only one excusing them was the defense attorney. We had to come back a second day, as they were trying to seat a jury for a really ugly murder trial.  One juror didn't show up the second day and the judge sent out a bench warrant for her arrest and a $1,800 fine.

Thank goodness my number didn't get picked, it was a murder trial with additional hate crime circumstances.  

[dixierose]

That wouldn't have worked here.  I was in a jury pool and the judge wasn't taking any excuses. The only one excusing them was the defense attorney. We had to come back a second day, as they were trying to seat a jury for a really ugly murder trial.  One juror didn't show up the second day and the judge sent out a bench warrant for her arrest and a $1,800 fine.

Thank goodness my number didn't get picked, it was a murder trial with additional hate crime circumstances.  

The one time I was chosen for jury duty; my son ( 1 1/2 yrs old at the time) was in the hospital for pneumonia. I took the doctor's note with me and was dismissed. The judge called my name, I went to the front. The clerk passed him the note. He looked at me and asked "Your son's in the hospital?" I said, "Yes,sir". He said "You can go".

I remember hearing all kinds of excuses, though. I also remember him issuing bench warrants for people who didn't show up.

[Eupher]

You are wrong. Sending someone for jail is unusual. It results in a fine.

I'm wrong in what I wrote? That was anecdotal information, Ptarmy, along with a tiny bit of conjecture as to what I thought the judge was thinking.

Care to explain to me how specifically it is that I'm "wrong?"

The article clearly stated that the judge was within his legal jurisprudence to have the teacher arrested and jailed. As it turned out, she was released pretty quickly after another judge stepped in, but get this, Ptarmy:

THE MESSAGE.

THE MESSAGE THAT THE JUDGE SENT.

That's the important part of this. Whether or not the teacher was fined isn't important. What IS important is that the judge flexed his muscles and made sure the teacher (and thereby anybody else looking at what happened) understood that there are ramifications and consequences for failing to show up for jury duty.

[DefiantSix]

 

You are wrong. Sending someone for jail is unusual. It results in a fine.

Where I was living in the People's Republic of Colorado, the citizenry routinely ignored jury summons. Courts frequently had to send baliffs out onto the local streets to grab folks to serve on juries because so few of those summoned actually showed up. This trend was headed off only when judges began issuing "failure to appear" bench warrants for those who ignored jury summons. (Imagine being pulled over for speeding months after you'd ignored a summons, and being told that there was a warrant for your arrest. )

Having lived through that, my sympathies are with the judge, and not this ass clown teacher.

[Eupher]

That wouldn't have worked here.  I was in a jury pool and the judge wasn't taking any excuses. The only one excusing them was the defense attorney. We had to come back a second day, as they were trying to seat a jury for a really ugly murder trial.  One juror didn't show up the second day and the judge sent out a bench warrant for her arrest and a $1,800 fine.

Thank goodness my number didn't get picked, it was a murder trial with additional hate crime circumstances.  

I think the overlying theme that we're all referring to is the amount of flexibility and options that the law gives to the court/judge.

If the judge doesn't want to hear the bullshit and sob stories, your request to be excused could very well be denied. If you failed to show up at all, bench warrants can be issued.

If the court case for which a jury is selected has to do with a sex crime (as it was in my case), those who claimed to have been sexually abused in their past might very well be excused.

Getting back to the OP, the teacher who was called on April 1. She postponed her jury duty. Re-summoned for April 29, but then told not to appear. She gets called for April 30, and that's when she telephoned the court to beg off, claiming to have to attend a function with or for her student, and then didn't show up.

If I were a judge, that kind of attempt might piss me off. It's disrespectful. If you want to make a request of the court, you SHOW UP AND PRESENT YOUR CASE. You don't phone the court with your sob story.

Or, if you do, you just might wind up in jail. 

[FlaGator]

I'm wrong in what I wrote? That was anecdotal information, Ptarmy, along with a tiny bit of conjecture as to what I thought the judge was thinking.

Care to explain to me how specifically it is that I'm "wrong?"

The article clearly stated that the judge was within his legal jurisprudence to have the teacher arrested and jailed. As it turned out, she was released pretty quickly after another judge stepped in, but get this, Ptarmy:

THE MESSAGE.

THE MESSAGE THAT THE JUDGE SENT.

That's the important part of this. Whether or not the teacher was fined isn't important. What IS important is that the judge flexed his muscles and made sure the teacher (and thereby anybody else looking at what happened) understood that there are ramifications and consequences for failing to show up for jury duty.

I agree with you and you are not wrong. It says right on the jury summons that if you do not appear you can be held in contempt of court. The judge was well within his rights to toss the teacher in jail. For all I know she is a habitual about ignoring jury duty appearances.

[Ptarmigan]

I'm wrong in what I wrote? That was anecdotal information, Ptarmy, along with a tiny bit of conjecture as to what I thought the judge was thinking.

Care to explain to me how specifically it is that I'm "wrong?"

The article clearly stated that the judge was within his legal jurisprudence to have the teacher arrested and jailed. As it turned out, she was released pretty quickly after another judge stepped in, but get this, Ptarmy:

THE MESSAGE.

THE MESSAGE THAT THE JUDGE SENT.

That's the important part of this. Whether or not the teacher was fined isn't important. What IS important is that the judge flexed his muscles and made sure the teacher (and thereby anybody else looking at what happened) understood that there are ramifications and consequences for failing to show up for jury duty.

I would never skip jury duty. From what I live they usually fine people. Jail would be rare if it was repeated. If it was repeated than I could understand jail.

[Conservative Libertarian]

Interesting. I have also heard more educated people are dismissed as well.

I was immediately dismissed from jury duty after I explained that due to my scientific training, I must perform an objective review of the data/evidence so that a logical determination can be made.

[Ptarmigan]

I was immediately dismissed from jury duty after I explained that due to my scientific training, I must perform an objective review of the data/evidence so that a logical determination can be made.

I have been dismissed too ranging from plea bargain or judge showed up late.

[Eupher]

By the way, Ptarmy, I bitchslapped you because you got irritated that I didn't fall into your echo chamber.

BTW, I love bunnies. Especially the ones with the cute little ears.



 

[Ptarmigan]

By the way, Ptarmy, I bitchslapped you because you got irritated that I didn't fall into your echo chamber.

BTW, I love bunnies. Especially the ones with the cute little ears.



 

Get a grip. I never advocated an echo chamber.

[Eupher]

Get a grip. I never advocated an echo chamber.

Yes you did. That's why you posted the story. Figured everybody would come along and nod their pointy little heads in agreement with you.

[Ptarmigan]

Yes you did. That's why you posted the story. Figured everybody would come along and nod their pointy little heads in agreement with you.

I was expressing my opinion. Got a problem with that?

[Eupher]

I was expressing my opinion. Got a problem with that?

Not at all! But when I tell MY story and express MY opinion, you tell me I'm wrong?   

Do you not see the hypocrisy, O Great Birdman of Myth?

[Ptarmigan]

Not at all! But when I tell MY story and express MY opinion, you tell me I'm wrong?   

Do you not see the hypocrisy, O Great Birdman of Myth?

It is just one person's story.

[Eupher]

It is just one person's story.

Uh....I think if you look upthread, you'll see a whole BUNCH of stories! From different people!

You're not getting the point, or if you are, you're too stubborn/obtuse/stupid to admit it.

The judge in question has a certain amount of flexibility and options in handling things within his own court. He chose to jail the teacher for failure to appear in court.

Is it overkill? Maybe, in your opinion. Maybe not, in the judge's opinion. Did the judge act within the law? I think we have to assume that he did -- there's no evidence to indicate that he didn't, although apparently in order to avoid the appearance of partiality (the teacher is a stupid, disrespectful bimbo, IMHO), another judge stepped in and released the woman.

I do note that the bimbo is not permitted to teach until this issue is expunged from her record.

Should it be expunged? Probably. The woman isn't a criminal -- she's merely stupid and disrespectful.

Bottom line is:

This bimbo ain't gonna be duckin' out of any mo' jury duty summonses.

[A7X_foREVer]

The judge just did what he felt was right

[Chris_]

If the judge doesn't want to hear the bullshit and sob stories, your request to be excused could very well be denied. If you failed to show up at all, bench warrants can be issued.

The penalties for not fulfilling your obligation to jury duty are clearly spelled out on the summons.  I wonder if Ptarmigan has ever received one in the mail and read the entire thing.  It's not like it's some sort of conspiracy.

[Ptarmigan]

The penalties for not fulfilling your obligation to jury duty are clearly spelled out on the summons.  I wonder if Ptarmigan has ever received one in the mail and read the entire thing.  It's not like it's some sort of conspiracy.

I have and read the entire thing.