Jury duty and Citizenship

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Not sure if we are on the same page. Let's take a step back and review, shall we?

1) Claiming to be a USC, for any reason, will most likely have the consequence of the applicant being stripped of his LPR status and being deported.

2) As of now, the applicant can't remember if he did do that by accident or not. Therefore, he doesn't have to lie, and lying at the citizenship interview, is another big no-no.

3) It's fair to assume that there are no records of old jury questionaires, at least should none of those have made it to the applicant's immigration file.

3) Therefore, I wouldn't WANT to do anything that makes myself believe that I might have done what would cost me my future in this country and gets me deported, right?

So is there any merit in trying to dig this up, out of nowhere, instead of letting it go? If so, what's the merit?

[Lansbury 19]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I've never seen info where a immigrant would be informed or made aware of they should not do jury duty until you study for US citizen.

On the ones I have received it is stated on the form that you must be a US citizen. It is on the County web site and the Court web site couldn't be clearer than that.

[Lansbury 19]

For Christ sake why are people making this so complicated.

He told the people at the Court he wasn't a US citizen and hence wasn't eligible for jury duty. That has no effect on his citizenship application doesn't even need to be mentioned. It has no bearing in any way shape or form.

Edited January 5, 2010 by Lansbury

[SuperDuper! 230]

For Christ sake why are people making this so complicated.

He told the people at the Court he wasn't a US citizen and hence wasn't eligible for jury duty. That has no effect on his citizenship application doesn't even need to be mentioned. It has no bearing in any way shape or form.

Thank you for bringing some reason and logic to the discussion. Folks are getting all scared and paranoid about getting a Jury notice.

And if anyone REALLY believes that you will really go to jail for not going to jury duty, I do feel sorry for you. You have much to learn about the realities of the real world in your US home town.

Again, if your city/county cant go after the hundreds and thousands of felony bench warrants currently outstanding, then they sure as hell cant go after the jury dodgers and jaywalkers. If ya can't understand this, you have a lot to learn. (Using money and officers to go after a jury dodger vs going after a wanted rapist, get the picture?)

I do understand how an immigrant wants to obey EVERY law, no matter how big or small. Thatz fine, just acknowledge the difference to how our world in the US here works, both is theory and reality.

Cheers.

Edited January 5, 2010 by Hopp

[Sand 5]

Hi, Well. i went today to the Courthouse and i asked them about my record and they helped me alot, But wait. she checked on the record and on 2006 it says that i was at the court for Jury Duty but there is nothing on the STATUS it says if i checked Y/N on question if i am a US citizen .. anyways she called downtown and they told her they will look for the form and its going to take them about 2 days , and they will give me call... and let me know. well and i got a copies of 2 times going on Jury Duty last one was on 2009 and it says on the STATUS (Excused Not a U.S Citizen)

but i dont understand something. she told me that i got a Credit on the first time ?? what does that mean? i told her i was just sitting there and no body called me and i had to go home .. ??

[lucyrich 20]

but i dont understand something. she told me that i got a Credit on the first time ?? what does that mean? i told her i was just sitting there and no body called me and i had to go home .. ??

Yep. The rules for credits vary from one place to another, but it's not uncommon for them to have a rule such that, just by showing up in the morning and being dismissed (maybe because some trial settled out of court), you get credit for jury duty and won't be called again for a period of time. Most of my jury duty service has been fulfilled that way. I've served five times, but only once did I get to see the inside of a courtroom. I still haven't deliberated and got to vote on a verdict.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Hi, Well. i went today to the Courthouse and i asked them about my record and they helped me alot, But wait. she checked on the record and on 2006 it says that i was at the court for Jury Duty but there is nothing on the STATUS it says if i checked Y/N on question if i am a US citizen .. anyways she called downtown and they told her they will look for the form and its going to take them about 2 days , and they will give me call... and let me know. well and i got a copies of 2 times going on Jury Duty last one was on 2009 and it says on the STATUS (Excused Not a U.S Citizen)

but i dont understand something. she told me that i got a Credit on the first time ?? what does that mean? i told her i was just sitting there and no body called me and i had to go home .. ??

It's possible you did not check yes or no. In that case you would sit in the jury pool until you were dismissed, or if they did select you they would have asked you to complete the form, and then you would have been dismissed anyway when they saw you are not a USC.

Either way, being on the jury pool does not count as jury duty. The jury pool is where they select the jury from. Even if they give you credit for going, it doesn't sound like you were a member of the jury.

[Dakine10 5,452]

They send jury summons out randomly. Even my brother, who's only a tourist (with a California driver license), got one while he was here on vacation, many years back.

I have received quite a few of those letters in my time. I always threw them into the trash except the last time when I marked "not a USC" and sent it back, about 8 years ago. Since then I have not received another one, so apparently something in the system is indeed working as it should.

Yeah, in Colorado once you check "not USC" you get removed from the database. My wife got removed from the database when she was an LPR. She has been a USC for 7 years now and has still not got another summons. I'm guessing they don't put you back in until you register to vote or something else that would show them you are a citizen.

[NickD 202]

Hi, Well. i went today to the Courthouse and i asked them about my record and they helped me alot, But wait. she checked on the record and on 2006 it says that i was at the court for Jury Duty but there is nothing on the STATUS it says if i checked Y/N on question if i am a US citizen .. anyways she called downtown and they told her they will look for the form and its going to take them about 2 days , and they will give me call... and let me know. well and i got a copies of 2 times going on Jury Duty last one was on 2009 and it says on the STATUS (Excused Not a U.S Citizen)

but i dont understand something. she told me that i got a Credit on the first time ?? what does that mean? i told her i was just sitting there and no body called me and i had to go home .. ??

From what you say, you are okay. I got notices for jury duty, claim it's a civic responsibility, but the letter they send you, even as a natural born USC can scare the hell out of you if you don't show up when called. Really don't recall all the exact details if called, your employer cannot fire you, but doesn't have to pay you. But would get something like a nickel a mile for your own transportation and something like 15 bucks per day. Can't really say your tax dollars are being used to pay for jurors. And they called something like 60 jurors in hopes of finding 12 suitable ones. I didn't have to serve either, whatever kind of case it was, said it was settled out of court, but since I wasn't called, didn't get that nickel a mile nor the 15 bucks for that wasted day.

[Sand 5]

Hi, I received a call today from the Court and the lady told me that i checked that i am not a U.S Citizen, Oh thats good. i was worried

Ty All

[antda 13]

Hi, I received a call today from the Court and the lady told me that i checked that i am not a U.S Citizen, Oh thats good. i was worried

Ty All

Sand- Glad to hear it all worked out well for you here that you did not check off the USC box, after all...

So...now...onwards to your citizenship journey, with no more worries about this issue anymore!

By the way, if you are ever asked about it by an IO...just tell them the truth and you should be ok there....

Good luck with the rest of your journey too.

Ant

Edited January 9, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[Sand 5]

Hi Ant+D+BabyA, Yes Plus i got Copy from the Second time it says that i checked i am Not a U.S Citizen and i was excused about the First one the lady going to send me a Copy it shows that i checked i am not a U.S Citizen yet.. that will work perfect ..

Oh i hope no more worries i would love to take a lawyer with me for my Interview.. i have nothing to be worried about, but seems nervous always in this situations ...