Is it worth it to be a US citizen now?

[Dantrolene 15]

What is that jury duty all about folks ? Is it a good or a bad thing ?  If I got selected, should i go for it or no ? My files is in healthcare which is completely far from the jury stuff. 

 

For foreign taxes..making less than $100k a year is a tax exempt. Very cool to know!  Makes me wonder one should always stay under that amount to be exempted. lol

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 16, 2019 by Dantrolene

[Olga&Jared 267]

Quote

 I know one of the major drawbacks to a US passport is that citizens are required to pay taxes even if they live/work abroad, but in my opinion the pros significantly outweigh the cons.

They're planning to do the same in Russia. Which will make it tough keeping dual citizenship if they do

Edited February 16, 2019 by Olga&Jared

[Going through 5,671]

2 hours ago, JFH said:

Jury duty. That’s one of my reasons for taking citizenship later this year. I’m fascinated with legal process. 

Yes!  I keep hoping one day I'll be called for jury duty.

[Dantrolene 15]

Just now, Going through said:

Yes!  I keep hoping one day I'll be called for jury duty.

What is good for ?

[Going through 5,671]

Just now, Dantrolene said:

What is good for ?

Personally, it's just something I've always wanted to do---even in my home country.  I also have an interest in the legal system, same as the member who posted before.

 

There are pros and cons to serving on a jury; depends on one's outlook---a con to someone may be the loss of a day's work/pay, or having to figure out childcare (if they are a stay-at-home mom or dad with a young child, for example).  For me, the pros outweigh the cons.

[Dantrolene 15]

4 minutes ago, Going through said:

Personally, it's just something I've always wanted to do---even in my home country.  I also have an interest in the legal system, same as the member who posted before.

 

There are pros and cons to serving on a jury; depends on one's outlook---a con to someone may be the loss of a day's work/pay, or having to figure out childcare (if they are a stay-at-home mom or dad with a young child, for example).  For me, the pros outweigh the cons.

Gotcha. So you get to be in the court all day watching cases and helping judges etc ? Without even training or past experience? 

[accumbyte 149]

1 hour ago, Dantrolene said:

If I got selected, should i go for it or no ?

If selected then you must respond. If you are residing abroad then the notice was issued by using outdated info but you must respond by using the "I do not reside at XYZ county/state" option on the notice. If you are residing in the US then each jurisdiction has different laws regarding disqualification, excuse, and/or deferral. Here's a link to the Washington state guidelines: https://www.courts.wa.gov/committee/?fa=committee.display&item_id=266&committee_id=101

[Going through 5,671]

6 minutes ago, Dantrolene said:

Gotcha. So you get to be in the court all day watching cases and helping judges etc ? Without even training or past experience? 

This may help explain it a little for federal jury duty:

 

https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/jury-service/learn-about-jury-service

 

On the left-hand side of the page is info about juror pay, qualifications, etc.

[Dantrolene 15]

10 minutes ago, Going through said:

This may help explain it a little for federal jury duty:

 

https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/jury-service/learn-about-jury-service

 

On the left-hand side of the page is info about juror pay, qualifications, etc.

Oh you get paid too. Cool! 

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

12 minutes ago, Dantrolene said:

Gotcha. So you get to be in the court all day watching cases and helping judges etc ? Without even training or past experience? 

you get called along with 100 or so others and have to report for 2 weeks and may sit there without getting to serve as they interview and select from the Pool

i sat on one in NY state for 1 week listening to a case/it went to the jury/we came back with our decision and were told they settled out of court!!!!!!??????  

here in Tn called for a rape /murder but as a victim myself of a violent crime i was excused /still had to come back every day as  I was part of the jury pool for   cases at that time so i sat and waited to be called 

BTW most employers will pay your pay for the time off for jury duty

and you make a whooping $14  (maybe little more in other states)   a day

[Neonred 3,564]

2 hours ago, JFH said:

Jury duty. That’s one of my reasons for taking citizenship later this year. I’m fascinated with legal process. 

Jury duty, the only good reason for NOT becoming a US citizen!

[millefleur 5,046]

Ah, jury duty...I've been a USC my entire life and I've never been called! No idea why, guess I'm just (un)lucky.

 

I wanted to mention one more possible con, depending on if this applies based on each country's own rules: if you ever plan to work for the government in your home country, having dual citizenship could be a con because they might not give you top secret clearance or may view dual citizenship as problematic. This is how it works in the US, dual citizens are not able to obtain the security clearance needed to apply for jobs that work closely with the US government. So, there is that, depending on what field you work in or if you ever have ambitions to work with governments.

Edited February 16, 2019 by millefleur

[dirtyhippiegirl 85]

My husband and I were considering this earlier last year. He even consulted an attorney. Unfortunately he is a recovering alcoholic and although he has been sober for almost 6 years and never had any issues with the law, that has to be diclosed and can be used to deny citizenship. Recent changes in immigration law mean a denial in citizenship = revoked greencard. The attorney thought he had a good chance of attaining citizenship but I don't feel like it's worth the risk and my husband dropped the issue, so. Kind of a bummer that route is so risky for someone with a health problem in long-term remission but whatever.

[Manc73 34]

4 hours ago, JFH said:

Jury duty. That’s one of my reasons for taking citizenship later this year. I’m fascinated with legal process. 

I have my interview at the back end of March. I have no intention of returning to the UK with all the britexit business and I have a life in Phoenix, AZ.

All the best when your interview comes around.

[Dantrolene 15]

22 minutes ago, dirtyhippiegirl said:

My husband and I were considering this earlier last year. He even consulted an attorney. Unfortunately he is a recovering alcoholic and although he has been sober for almost 6 years and never had any issues with the law, that has to be diclosed and can be used to deny citizenship. Recent changes in immigration law mean a denial in citizenship = revoked greencard. The attorney thought he had a good chance of attaining citizenship but I don't feel like it's worth the risk and my husband dropped the issue, so. Kind of a bummer that route is so risky for someone with a health problem in long-term remission but whatever.

That's interesting.  What if someone is already a citizen and then acquired health problems or become alcoholic or committed a felony or crime, do they revoke their citizenship too?