Judge has an answer for jury prospect's invoice - man bills court $16K faces contempt charge, jail

Associated Press ^ | August 15, 2002 | Associated Press Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

The order described Mr. Williamson as "arrogant" and asserted that he had shirked federal jury duty for seven years a figure Mr. Williamson disputes.

I think arrogant is the right word, if this article's description of his actions is correct.

[HalfIrish]

Hey, why should someone perform his civic duty for a country whose system has allowed him to make $100 and hour and enjoy all the other benefits of being a citizen? That is just so wrong..

:-)

[RightOnline]

LOL..........oh, I think there's plenty of arroagance on BOTH sides of this one to go 'round....:)

[laredo44]

I think arrogant is the right word, if this article's description of his actions is correct.

I'd prefer "Wiseass".

[gunnedah]

No doubt he is a wiseass but do you think for a minute Donald Trump,Bill Gates or people like that would be called as a juror for jury duty. The system is being exposed for what it is,double standards.

[from occupied ga]

Just where does the arrogance lie in this? Squarely with the judge. Williamson is ordered to report to work for the government at $25 a day. The judge probably makes around $530/day. I wonder if the judge would be happy being forced to give up a month of his time at $25/day. The judge is perfectly willing to force Williamson to lose income. I wonder if he'd be happy if the government stole $10605 from him.

[gunnedah]

No doubt he is a wiseass but do you think for a minute Donald Trump,Bill Gates or people like that would be called as a juror for jury duty. The system is being exposed for what it is,double standards.

[The Old Hoosier]

Rudy Giuliani served on a jury while he was mayor.

[from occupied ga]

Rudy Giuliani served on a jury while he was mayor.

So what? Do you think Giuliani lost a penny by serving on a jury? Not likely. Williamson stands to lose a significant amount of money.

And further, it will probably hurt his business. I know if I were to vanish for a month my customers would have probably found another source.

[AbnSarge]

Almost no one serves a month. I've been called twice, and non-selected both times.

If the intelligent, productive people constantly find ways not to serve, who does that leave on the juries?

[mewzilla]

In NYS you practically need a death certificate to get out of jury duty now. And it's because so many people tried to weasel out of jury duty. It's a pity. Because if you've ever been called, you know how scary the prospect a "jury of your peers" has become.

[dglang]

The request was to 'reserve' the month of August just in case he was needed, It did not say to report for duty and serve, just keep the time available.

I see no problem being called for jury duty, but to just sit there keeping the time available is really expecting a lot. If he has to keep the time open for the court but isn't actually serving on a jury, he gets paid nothing for the time stolen from him.

Being actually assigned to jury duty and performing that duty is vastly different than sitting and doing nothing just because you 'might' get called.

[from occupied ga]

If the intelligent, productive people constantly find ways not to serve, who does that leave on the juries

This is not my point. I think that people should be compensated adequately for their time. Judges get paid handsomely ($120,000 and up) why shouldn't the jury? I'm self employed, so I lose big time when I go on jury duty.

However, I look on it as a chance personally to beard the establishment in its own den. I keep Adams' quote written on a piece of papaer when I go.

second president John Adams, a quite notable attorney of his time, who said in 1771: 'It is not only (the juror's) right, but his duty ... to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment, and conscience, even though in direct opposition to the direction of the court' (1771 2 Life and Works of John Adams, 253-255 -- C.F. Adams ed. 1856.)

Oddly enough I have yet to get put on a panel.

[American in Israel]

wiseass is right. The court called his bluff and he folded, asking for the tolerance he would not give. Unfortunately the Courts have no sense of humor. That takes intellectual capacity.

[southern rock]

civic duty

Umm... Last time I looked up the definition of involuntary servitude, it was called slavery, not "civic duty", which implies volunteering.

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL !

Have a cup while you FReep !

[Tijeras_Slim]

Desire for 15 minutes of fame = 30 days in the hole.
Bad Bargin.

[Michael_S]

He may have been a wiseass, but isn't a request to keep AUGUST open a bit unreasonable?

The man has to make a living, regardless of what he charges.

[Iron Eagle]

Inherent in the sacrifice is the price of freedom and an educated jury. This seems a small price to pay. Some of the problems with juries are that too many people shirk the responsibility and the jury pool is watered down to the lowest common denominator.

Do we really want people to serve because the $25 per-day is a good deal? I don't think so.

I have been called to jury duty knowing that I won't ever sit on a jury. (Damn few trial lawyers put other trial lawyers on a jury panel.) I can tell you that at my rate, I would be happy to only have lost $100 per-hour.

The best thing these self-described important and intellegent people can do is to show-up and serve. They will be helping our justice system. And we all can benefit from that.

[MeekOneGOP]

However, I look on it as a chance personally to beard the establishment in its own den. I keep Adams' quote written on a piece of papaer when I go.

second president John Adams, a quite notable attorney of his time, who said in 1771: 'It is not only (the juror's) right, but his duty ... to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment, and conscience, even though in direct opposition to the direction of the court' (1771 2 Life and Works of John Adams, 253-255 -- C.F. Adams ed. 1856.)

Oddly enough I have yet to get put on a panel.

---

I have been called and I have served on more than one occasion. Believe it or
not, I am glad that I did!
I guess it just depends on your perspective.