More Jury Duty Excuses is this week’s post. I had so much fun with last week’s post, that I decided to find more crazy excuses. But first, the photo and verse.
This sunset was taken around thirty years ago at Arkabutla Point near Coldwater, Mississippi. We parked a camper at the park, and this is one of many photos I took that spring. Just this morning, I quoted part of the verse to a friend. I actually like the New American Standard Version of verse 10 best: Cease striving and know that I am God…
Now for last week’s Mystery Question: Implausible Jury Excuses. Lawyers ask potential jurors a lot of questions — and get some awkward answers. Here are three I found when I googled the question and one I made up. Can you guess the made-up one?
- An attorney posed this question while questioning potential jurors: Have you ever had experience with an attorney?’ The woman answered, “You picked me up at a bar five years ago.” She was excused.
- Another prospective juror told the attorney, “I don’t think I can be fair.” When asked why not, he replied, “This dude looks like the guy that robbed me at gunpoint last year. In fact, I’m not so sure it’s not the same guy.”
- As a potential juror was questioned, he said, “I only trust one lawyer, and he is dead.” Also excused.
- Another tried to use man’s best friend, claiming he had no one to walk his dog. The attorney asked, “How often do you have to walk your dog?” The man’s response sealed his spot on the jury. “I don’t walk my dog. He goes through the back door by himself into the back yard.”
And the answer is…#2. Congrats to all who got it right!
Now for this week’s Mystery Question: More Jury Duty Excuses. Lawyers ask potential jurors a lot of questions — and get some awkward answers. Here are three I found when I googled the question and one I made up. Can you guess the made-up one?
- A woman juror in a big drug case stands up and tells the judge her job prohibits her from being a juror in this case. When asked what her profession was, she replied that she was a fortune teller, and the judge asks how that prohibits her from serving. “I already know how the case turns out.”
- When a woman’s name was called to be questioned for jury duty in a murder trial, the defendant stood up. The computer had randomly picked her as a juror for her own trial. She was quickly dismissed…as a juror. She remained as a defendent.
- Then there was this potential juror who had a unique scheduling issue: When the judge told him to report to court on the following Monday, he replied, “I would, but I have to report to prison next week.”
- And last of all, a potential juror asked to be excused because he was expecting an important phone call from his mother. When the judge asked the last time he’d talked to her, he mumbled, “Today.” He wasn’t dismissed.
Okay, Mystery Sleuths, which one did I make up? Leave your answer in the comments and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library.
More Jury Duty Excuses is this week's Mystery Question. As usual, three of the excuses are real. I made up one. Can you guess which one? Leave your answer in the comments! Share on X
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Comments 57
#1 – but what a curious lot these people are.
Author
I agree, Mary. 🙂 We’ll see next week.
I think you made up number one, but they are all dillies.
Author
Aren’t they, though, Delores. We’ll see if it’s #1 next week.
#2 & 3 made me giggle. I can just see that happening. I’m going with #4. People are interesting creatures! These remind of me things my students say and do to get out of work. They work so much harder at that than if they’d just do the work lol .
Pretty sun in the picture! Be still and cease striving. Both are hard for me to do! Know that I am God….good reminder! He can take care of it all if I step out of the way! Thanks for the reminder.
Author
I’ve always said that, too, Andrea–if people would work half as hard at something legal as they did illegal things, they’d probably be rich. lol We’ll see next week if it’s #4, and I’m glad 2 & 3 made you giggle!
I’ll go with #4. Beautiful photo with perfect scripture. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Thank you, Lucy. We’ll see next week if it’s #4.
Oh, I can’t tell you how much the NASB translation of this verse spoke to my heart this morning! I wrote it down so that I can continue meditating on it. Thank you so much for sharing!
These jurors certainly make me giggle! I’m going to guess #4. But as with last week’s scenarios, I can imagine any of these excuses being given.
Author
That verse speaks to me all the time, L, because it seems like I’m always striving instead of letting God do it. We’ll see next week if it’s the very popular #4.
I think it is number 2. I enjoy reading these excuses.
Author
Hi, Mrs. McDonald. So glad you commented on my blog. We’ll see next week if it’s #2. I’m glad you’re enjoying the excuses since I’ll probably do it again next week. There are plenty to choose from on the web. 🙂
I’m guessing #2, but the others are interesting excuses.
Author
Hi Suzanne! I think some of them are very creative. lol We’ll see next week if it’s #2.
Thank you Pat for the beautiful photo and verse. That the photo was a moment of beauty from thirty years ago makes it even more special. The verse was also a favorite of my Mother’s. Thank you for the memory.
I think you created #3 because I didn’t think convicted persons could serve on a jury, but maybe it depends on the crime or I’m just plain wrong! 🙂
Author
Hi Debra! Glad you liked my photo and verse. I have another photo I took back then. It and the one used today are framed and in my house. I’ll have to scan it and use it. That verse is very special to me, and one I hang on to when I find myself striving…which is about ever day. 🙂
We’ll see if it’s #3 next week.
Sometimes I wonder if a judge can hold back their laughter. These were great. I decided to go with #4, because it’s the calmest of the bunch. Also, because he mumbled his answer. He knew his excuse wasn’t going to go over with the judge.
Absolutely love the photo and the verse. That almost looks exactly like a spot here on Cherokee Lake. What a site for camping! I also have this verse on a beautiful plaque surrounded by red poppies in my sunroom and another one in my kitchen. It seems I need one in every room. It’s a powerful command and so hard to do.
What a refreshing way to start the day. Thanks, Pat.
Author
I definitely need it in every room, Barbara! I love your logic in picking #4. We’ll see. So glad you dropped by.
Beautiful photo and I love Psalm 46 — another of my favorites.
I’m going to go with #1 on a hunch that the different verb tense in the first sentence was done by you. (On the other hand, my detective skills are sadly lacking — I’m always wrong.)
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Thank you, Kay. Psalm has been one of my favorites forever. Love your logic, too, even if you got a different answer than others that I’ve loved their logic. lol
#4
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We’ll see, Patricia!
People can come up with the wackiest excuses to avoid jury duty. These are real doozies. # 3 is not really an excuse. It’s just an error in the automatic pool selection program that included the defendant. This week I’m guessing you made up #4. That’s a pretty lame excuse.
Photo is way cool. And who could argue with God’s advice: Let me handle it.
Author
You’ve got that right, Tim, about wackiest excuses. Glad you enjoyed the photo and verse. 🙂 We’ll see if it’s #4 next week.
I’m guessing #4
Author
Number 4 is very popular, Gail. We’ll see next week.
The verse and sunset are pretty. It’s a pink sun! I’m guessing number 3 because he would hide the fact that he was convicted in order to have a legit excuse not to report to prison.
Author
Hi Priscilla! It is pink and I didn’t photoshop it…there was a lot of dust in the atmosphere when I took the picture. We’ll see next week if it’s #3.
Great scripture verse to meditate on. I am going with #3.
Author
Thanks, Gloria! I meditate on it all the time. 🙂 We’ll see next week if it’s #3.
2. They all sound like something people would say.lol
Author
Hi Lynn! Yes, they do. We’ll see next week if it’s #2.
#3. I love your photo and the verse. Have a great week and stay safe.
Author
Thanks, Alicia! I love both as well. And we’ll see if it’s #3 next week!
they all made me laugh but I’ll chose #2 because it would reason that her name wouldn’t be pulled for jury duty at her own trail
Author
So glad they made you laugh, Shelia. That was my purpose. lol We’ll see if it’s #2 next week.
Interesting picture and great verses. I’ve been rushing here and there for so long that I almost feel guilty if I stop and do nothing.
I’m choosing #3. Actually, I think they are all fishy. I have always been notified a month or two in advance that I had been selected for jury duty. I had to complete a form that included questions about anything that would disqualify me as a juror, or that would prevent me from serving. For example, I received a notice about a year after I retired. One question asked about age and stated that anyone over a certain age could opt out of jury service. I have forgotten the other questions. Back in my younger days when I was contacted to serve, I would get a call a day or two in advance notifying me to report for jury duty on a specified day and time. When I reported, the juror selection process was completed and the trial began. I never saw a situation where the prospective jurors were brought in days in advance and told to report back the next week for the trial. That would seem highly irregular.
Author
Hi Edward. Actually, here in Mississippi, jurors are sent a notice to appear for jury selection. There’s a number to call and present your request to be excused, but if you don’t fit in certain categories, like the age exemption, the person is told to report to duty and bring it up with the judge. Once you arrive at the courthouse, then you are picked or not picked to serve. I think this is when some of the excuses come into play. 🙂 And we’ll see if it’s #3 next week.
And I know exactly how you feel about the rushing thing. I am snowed under on this deadline and may not be able to do the Friday review blog. since I don’t have time to read anything. lol.
Pat, the one-to-two month notice I mentioned goes to a large group of people so they will have an adequate pool to select from for each trial throughout the next term so that no one has to get called in more than four or five times. When they call, if you are out of town on business, in the hospital, etc., they will excuse you and call later for another trial. The day of the trial, they ask a series of questions of all jurors and wait for the responses. Then both attorneys and the judge can mark off any that they feel are not suited for the trial. Of course, the last time I served, I don’t think computers were used in the courtroom. It may have changed a lot since then.
Author
Sounds a lot like it’s done here, Edward. 🙂
Beautiful scripture and photo.
#4
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Thank you, Caryl. And we’ll see next week if it’s #4.
I’m going to go with #1.
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Hi Diana! We’ll see next week if it’s #1. 😉
1
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We’ll see, BN.
Enjoy reading these even though I don’t always guess… I’ll go with #2 this time.
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Hi Angela! Good to ‘see’ you here. I’m glad you enjoy these. I like them well enough to probably do them another week or two. We’ll see next week if it’s #2.
Beautiful photo. I’ll go with #4 this week.
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Thanks, Megan. We’ll see if it’s #4 next week. 😉
I’ll guess #2 this time.
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Hi Paula. Number 2 is popular…we’ll see next week.
#1, but they all sound like they’re made up!
Author
Why, thank you, MS Barb. We’ll see next week…
After serving as a juror, I’m not surprised of the answers lol
I’ll pick #2
Okay #2 made me laugh, picking the lady as a juror in her own trial! How would they NOT know that information 😀 So I’ll go with that one just because I found it humorous.
Author
Hi Trixi! I’m glad that one made you laugh. 😉 We’ll see how your logic works Tuesady!