Why Jury Duty was a great reminder to stay focused on my business & goals!
Summons To Serve
So, a few weeks ago I received a summons to serve on jury duty.
That was a first for me! Never received one before.
That was fine, except....in addition to my work on my blogs and WA in general, I've been self-employed since 1984 with a traditional business. That business is now pretty much a "solopreneurship" since I no longer have any employees.
So that means it's just me. Solo suzuki....you know what I mean?
In that business I'm working on a couple big projects right now....all of which have major stuff going on in the next 10 days. My jury duty term was for this entire week...July 8th-12th.
NOT a great week for me to be unavailable to my clients!
What to do..what to do....
Civic Duty
Don't get me wrong! I'm perfectly happy to serve...however, with people in my position it's a little tricky and the court papers I received made it quite clear that there weren't too many excuses that would fly.
Sick - NO, that's not an allowed excuse...unless you have a doctors letter.
Work - NO, that's not an allowed excuse because everyone has to work.
Family issues - NO, that's not an allowed excuse because everyone has family.
Honestly, I didn't see a way out.
It's apparently never a sure thing that you will or won't have to appear. The court lets you know each day whether or not you have to appear the following day.
So, Sunday...I cleared off my desk and got myself organized as much as possible in the event that I would have to be on the jury on Monday.
A New Mindset
Since I've worked for myself for so many years, I needed a whole new mindset going into this week because I'm just not used to someone telling me I have to be anywhere at a certain time.
It felt weird!
I didn't like the feeling!
And then it occured to me that this is the way people with regular J.O.B.'s most likely feel. Like they simply do not own their own time from Monday thru Friday...or whatever days they work.
A Great Reminder
This was an excellent reminder to keep moving forward with what I've got going on here at WA.
It's the ticket to freedom and owning my own time. (well, except for jury duty LOL).
A Mid-Week Update
It's actually Wednesday of the week of my jury duty term as I'm writing this post. So far this week, I have NOT yet had to report for jury duty and I'm already told I do not have to report Thursday either. That leaves only Friday as a possibility...which certainly makes it more doable for a solopreneur like me!
Recent Comments
15
This year was the first time I was summoned for jury duty too. Like you I lucked out and didn't have to report except for the first day. First day was sitting, lunch and more sitting. Most boring day ever!
Hi, Leo.
Here’s what I’ve gathered so far from Mary-elle.
She was given or served a summons to serve on Jury Duty along with instructions to stay put and be available during the period...July 8th-12th.
During that time, she is expected to perform next day duty to serve.
I did not know that this is how it’s done.
Seems like a waste and an insult at the same time.
Paul.
Yep that sounds like a pain - but the truth is the courts don't care how it affects your life
I am in the same boat here this week.
I surmise that, as the week goes on we most likely won't get to serve because we cannot simply just be brought in right in the middle of a trail and not have heard one of the parties, it would be prejudicial to it.
Blessings!
Hi, Rt.
I want to research this more, but I don't think I can make the time.
It seems like they have a Jury already selected and then they have a Bull Pen back-up.
Do you get paid for this week?
Respectfully asking.
@PMindra
Paul,
I cannot relate to Canada, where I think that you live.
I am in Texas, Houston area, so here is how it went for me, non-scientific but first-hand account: we got over 160 potential jurors at the outset on day one, we get the propaganda video about civic duty, then the judge swears all in as to making true statements during the process. Next, we are allowed to see that same judge and we plead to be released for whatever reason. Some will, some will not get that wish.
Next, a court admin lady reads a bunch of names for courtroom 1, in alphabetical order and then another list of name for courtroom 2, They are released for lunch and instructed to report thereafter as assigned.
The rest of us get "conditionally" released for the day with the instructions we are on call for the rest of the week. Each day at 6 pm local time we get an E-mail pretty much saying if not picked we need NOT show up and to check again next day at the same time.
As to pay, here for shorter day one, we were told that we will get paid $6.00 and $40.00 for each day of the week thereafter.
Still on call and not likely that will be called as I indicated in my comment above.
Blessings!
It sounds like you are in custody.
If you actually own a sole proprietorship business, do you have to abandon it during the trial period?
That could mean the difference between success and failure for the small guy.
Paul.
In our county, we supposedly would get paid $25 for each half day or $50 for each full day served.
Exactly MY point about the sole proprietors out there. Not saying I'm not willing to do my bit in terms of civic duty. However, I also don't think it's fair that sole proprietors should have to face losing business because they didn't show up to their own business for a week or more.
Yeah, that's great but in your business you could be making $50 every half hour. Jury duty just as it is, does not sound right.
Paul.
It is inconsiderate.Something about this aspect of Civic Duty should be modified or changed.
Thank you for bring up your experience, Mery-Elle.
Kindest regards from Canada.
Paul.
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I've served my share...now I am old enough that they do not send notices any more. I always found the jury duty interesting.