How about that!

frustrated_alot said:
Newly a citizen. Called for Jury Duty. Don't know whether to cry or pull my hair out. :D
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Well, this is one of the duties/obligations that comes with being a US citizen. I'm sure 98% of US citizens (regardless of natural born or naturalized ones) do NOT wish to serve on a jury duty, but there is nothing anyone can do about it except with a limited exceptions.

I don't think we should cry if we are called upon to serve on a jury duty because we just cannot limit ourselves from taking the advantage/benefits of being a US citizen alone (like sponsoring our families, getting public benefits, govt. jobs, getting immuned from deportation, traveling in and out of US without any hassel and losing the right to remain in the US, and etc.); rather we just be aware of other/all obligations/duties as a US citizen like serving on jury duty, filing taxes, etc...

And who knows you might serve on a high profile case, like O.J.Simpson, which might provide you an excellant opportunity to make a fortune by writing a book or appearning on media afterwards....:)

:)
 
frustrated_alot said:
Newly a citizen. Called for Jury Duty. Don't know whether to cry or pull my hair out. :D
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New York State no longer accepts lack of citizenship as an excuse to get out of jury duty. All permanent residents are required to serve. Consider yourself lucky!
 
There's another thread for top things people do after becoming a citizen ... this is one of the things they are forced to do!!!

But I guess, with benefits comes the responsibility too ... which we should be all prepared for.

You know it could be worst ... if they ask you to bear arms for the IRAQ war :eek: When we were reading about the Citizenship process and Pros/Cons, my wife thought a lot when she read that we may have to bear arms in case of an emergency or so....
 
LegalAlien2 said:
There's another thread for top things people do after becoming a citizen ... this is one of the things they are forced to do!!!

But I guess, with benefits comes the responsibility too ... which we should be all prepared for.

You know it could be worst ... if they ask you to bear arms for the IRAQ war :eek: When we were reading about the Citizenship process and Pros/Cons, my wife thought a lot when she read that we may have to bear arms in case of an emergency or so....
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This is a foreign attitude... you are not FORCED you are OBLIGATED. This is one of the basic freedoms and rights that ALL as a citizen have and should welcome. I don't necessarily want to sit on a jury for a long period - but I also don't mind and I am GLAD to help out my fellow citizens by aiding in such a situation.

If ever you are facing a trial - you also will get a "jury of your peers" to give you a fair and just trial.

America isn't just a safe haven for immigrants to come to for economic gain and/or safety/refuge without consequence. Don't complain. Do your part for American society and it'll all be over before you know it.

We are a "draft" country - so, be aware that in urgent, desperate and crucial times - men may be called for war. But keep in mind - you are NOT forced, rather, called upon to serve your nation. Remember that you don't have to go to war - you can just give up your citizenship. So, again, you are not *FORCED*. If you don't want to protect the country that is protecting you then just go to Canada and hand over your GC or Naturalization Cert and say you refuse to fight. lol.

But, if it's any consolation, no one will be drafted for the Iraq war. We have enought military personel and equipment for this war.
 
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I am definitely interested in serving Jury duty as it is a good learning experience of the judicial process. My question is what if one is outside country on vacation / extended holiday etc while called on jury duty.

Also are all employers obligated to grant jury leave? what is employer refuses to give leave.
 
THis Co-worker of mine that I example her all the time, just told me that she was called for Jury Duty and she still has her GC and we are in California. Never heard of this before
 
Yes, I also received letters for jury duty when I had the Green Card. It's quite normal. Most people do get those. I believe they use DMV records to figure out where to send the letters, but they don't make any effort to verify citizenship status before sending the letters.
 
I got a notice for jury duty while on H1. But then I replied saying I was not a citizen, and included a copy of my H1 visa, and they sent back a letter acknowledging that I was disqualified from jury duty.

Are you sure that permanent residents in NY can't get out it if they respond by saying they're not a US citizen?
 
Vorpal said:
New York State no longer accepts lack of citizenship as an excuse to get out of jury duty. All permanent residents are required to serve. Consider yourself lucky!
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Hi Vorpal,

That sounds pretty strange, are you sure about it? Do you have a link where it explains what's the rationale to allow non-citizens to be jurors?
 
They just pull your name from DMV and voter registration records. I got at least 4 jury duty summons while I was on H1/GC (in California). I always checked the "not eligible" option. I don't think NY requires non-citizens to serve on Juries.
 
To all those who asked about the permanent resident jury duty in New York, I speak from personal experience. The last time I got a jury summons, I filled in my A# and returned it. Soon thereafter, I received a letter stating that permanent residence is no longer an accepted excuse. The same letter also summoned me to appear for potential juror interview. I was subsequently dismissed, but I still had to appear.
 
Vorpal said:
To all those who asked about the permanent resident jury duty in New York, I speak from personal experience. The last time I got a jury summons, I filled in my A# and returned it. Soon thereafter, I received a letter stating that permanent residence is no longer an accepted excuse. The same letter also summoned me to appear for potential juror interview. I was subsequently dismissed, but I still had to appear.
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Did you indicate "not a US citizen" on the summons or "permanent resident" ?
 
Bobsmyth said:
Did you indicate "not a US citizen" on the summons or "permanent resident" ?
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There was a section that specifically asked to fill in the A#, if the potential juror is a legal permanent resident. If I indicated that I was not a citizen, I probably would have been disqualified immediately, but the fact that I indicated permanent residence status and was still summoned to the juror interview suggests that the potential juror pool in New York is rather shallow.
 
frustrated_alot said:
Funny you should say that, my sister said the same thing.:)
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Should we then expect to see a beautiful woman like yourself on the media or on the cover of a book in a near future?? :)

I don't know about anyone else, but I would be rushing to the near book store to buy that book as soon as it would be released...lol...but it would be wonderful if it could have your original signature on it...:)...Hey, that would be such a collectible thing, isn't it??:)
 
I too got a jury duty mail a couple of years ago. The county office pulls up the drivers license data base. I promptly informed them in writing I am not a US citizen and received an exemptionl letter.

That said many of my immigrant collegues (most of whom have PhDs) never got selected for jury duty. The defense lawyers do not want a rational highly educated person sitting in the jury stand!! The would rather have an average God fearing church going old lady or something like that. But if you are anything but that, well you are not selected!

So, if you don't want to serve make sure that the defense lawyers understand that you are a rational person and not taken in by theatrics and emotions.
 
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