Jury Duty

**Randy** · 24th June 07, 04:46 PM

Always wear my kilt to the govt offices. Jury duty is not a problem. Security getting into the building... oh yea. i was twice thru metal detector, laptop case & sporran went thrice thru xray. They seemed confused. But once away from contract security and with the professional staff I had no problems.

**Rigged** · 25th June 07, 06:17 PM

Every time I chose to wear trousers when I could have worn a kilt, I've regretted the decision.

**GlassMan** · 26th June 07, 12:48 PM

I'd wear your kilt. Why not be better dressed than anyone else there?

I was once asked by an attorney to wear pants when I would be testifying on behalf of someone at a trial. He was concerned that the kilt might upset the judge. Since I don't own pants I went kilted. I wasn't in there 2 seconds before the judge was interrupting things and had complimented me on my kilt.

**gilmore** · 27th June 07, 09:39 PM

Chances are it won't matter whether you wear a kilt. Many more are summoned for jury duty than are selected. You probably will spend most of your time sitting around for a few hours while others are called to the various courtrooms for selection, then told you can go home.

If you do make it to the courtroom, there are 2 reasons why you make not be selected. One is being struck for cause by the judge because there is the appearance that you would not be be able to render an impartial verdict, such as knowing or being related to one of the parties, their attorneys, or expressing opinions that indicate you are not impartial. The other reason you might not be selected is due to a peremptory challenge by an attorney for one of the parties, and this can be for almost any reason whatsoever, simply because the attorney has a subjective hunch that you would be predisposed toward the opposing side. Each side has a limited number of peremptory challenges, so tries to use them wisely. Attorneys like jurors who are predictable, and if wearing a kilt gives you the appearance of unpredictablity or the potential of partiality, you might be struck.

Best wishes

**Perldog007** · 29th June 07, 04:04 AM

Originally Posted by JRB

Consider this; when I had jury duty last year I wasn't even selected as one of the jurors yet I had to sit for approximately 4 hours before I was dismissed. In fact, sitting was all I did. Personally I would not want to sit for that long wearing my kilt. First of all there is a good chance that I'd mess up my pleats. Secondly, sitting atop 8+ yards of pleated wool can feel kind of lumpy after a while. I love my tank and find it more comfy than trousers in a lot of situations, but sitting in a hard chair for extended periods of time isn't one of them (I don't own a casual non-wool kilt so I don't know how they are for sitting). Just for practical reasons I would avise against it.

I wore my SWK standard Hunting Macleod to work yesterday. Had to spend about 3.5 hours on an unexpected road trip. It did fine, comfy - way ahead of jeans or shorts. Of course that is an E-250 van seat not a courthouse chair, but the pleats did just fine.

I would definitely wear my swk with hose, flash, and tie to jury duty. It looks nice and is appropriate attire.

**MACKAY** · 29th June 07, 04:43 AM

A couple of years ago I was summoned, and subsequently selected to sit as an ALTERNATE juror on an arson case. I sat through a three week trial, and then was put in to a conference room where TV and newspapers were prohibited. I sat in this windowless room by myself for another three days while the jury deliberated. On the third day the bailiff opened the door and said I was done and could go home as the jury reached a decision and I was no longer needed.

What a waste!

**fluter** · 29th June 07, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by BMackay

A couple of years ago I was summoned, and subsequently selected to sit as an ALTERNATE juror on an arson case....

What a waste!

Getting off-topic, but ... not a waste.

{ON soapbox}
If one of the jurors had become ill or had to deal with an emergency, your presence would save the state the many thousands of dollars required to do the entire trial over.

Most judges will tell you at some point in your service, that while you're just sitting there, thinking you're doing nothing, you are serving. The judge is off in another room with the lawyers whose cases are on the docket, and your presence is his ultimate weapon in keeping the lawyers on track to a settlement or a trial.
{OFF soapbox}

Therefore, I thank you for your service, and you'd better believe the taxpayers of your state thank you!

**MACKAY** · 29th June 07, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by fluter

Getting off-topic, but ... not a waste.

{ON soapbox}
If one of the jurors had become ill or had to deal with an emergency, your presence would save the state the many thousands of dollars required to do the entire trial over.

Most judges will tell you at some point in your service, that while you're just sitting there, thinking you're doing nothing, you are serving. The judge is off in another room with the lawyers whose cases are on the docket, and your presence is his ultimate weapon in keeping the lawyers on track to a settlement or a trial.
{OFF soapbox}

Therefore, I thank you for your service, and you'd better believe the taxpayers of your state thank you!

I hadn't thought of it that way - thanks for making me feel better about it. At the time I was working under a 1099 status (contractor) and made a whole $27 a day on Jury duty verses what I would have made at work. That was three weeks of pay lost - that is why I felt that way.

**gilmore** · 29th June 07, 01:31 PM

What Fluter said.

Without the participation of a broad range of the citizenry, the jury system woudn't be as fair and impartial as it could be. Although you did not deliberate, your presence was not at all a waste.

An attorney in recovery.

**JRB** · 29th June 07, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Perldog007

I wore my SWK standard Hunting Macleod to work yesterday. Had to spend about 3.5 hours on an unexpected road trip. It did fine, comfy - way ahead of jeans or shorts. Of course that is an E-250 van seat not a courthouse chair, but the pleats did just fine.

I find my kilt to be quite comfortable during long car rides. In restaurants my kilt is also fine. You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the courthouse chairs, though. The chair/desk combo I had to endure for my jury duty was one of those that are found in a junior high school from the 1970s. It was more of a torture device than a seat. After more than 4 hours I was but a shadow of my former self. To add insult to injury, I was released after all that. I can't speak for anyone else, but I am really glad I didn't wear my kilt that day. Besides, I could have worn clown pants and no one would have known because my lower half was covered by the desk and I never got the chance to stand up. At least I won't have to endure that for another four years.