Excuses to avoid jury duty

[carom]

BARNSTABLE, Massachusetts (AP) -- A Cape Cod man who claimed he was homophobic, racist and a habitual liar to avoid jury duty earned an angry rebuke from a judge on Monday, who referred the case to prosecutors for possible charges.

"In 32 years of service in courtrooms, as a prosecutor, as a defense attorney and now as a judge, I have quite frankly never confronted such a brazen situation of an individual attempting to avoid juror service," Barnstable Superior Court Judge Gary Nickerson told Daniel Ellis, according to a preliminary court transcript of the exchange.

Ellis, of Falmouth, had been called to court with about 60 other potential jurors for possible service on a 23-member grand jury.
On a questionnaire that all potential jurors fill out, Ellis wrote that he didn't like homosexuals and blacks. He then echoed those sentiments in an interview with Nickerson.

"You say on your form that you're not a fan of homosexuals," Nickerson said.
"That I'm a racist," Ellis interrupted.
"I'm frequently found to be a liar, too. I can't really help it," Ellis added.
"I'm sorry?" Nickerson said.
"I said I'm frequently found to be a liar," Ellis replied.
"So, are you lying to me now?" Nickerson asked.
"Well, I don't know. I might be," was the response.
Ellis then admitted he really didn't want to serve on a jury.
"I have the distinct impression that you're intentionally trying to avoid jury service," Nickerson said.
"That's true," Ellis answered.

Nickerson ordered Ellis taken into custody. He was released later Monday morning.
Ellis could face perjury and other charges.

[POON MAN]

Only on Cape Cod !!!

and it was being picked up in Puerto Rico,,,,,,,,,, Thanks Carom

[carom]

more than wellcome Poon

[shoefish]

Only on Cape Cod !!!

I was thinking the same thing...now if he only said that he was a child molester they would have let him walk out the door

[sling]

I was hoping to find some tips in this post. I just served in Circuit court and two days letter got a summons to serve a month in District Court! I don't mind doing my duty, but twice in the course of two months is too much.

[carom]

you could always say that you are a redsox fan!

i'll bet it gets you off the hook!

[shoefish]

I was hoping to find some tips in this post. I just served in Circuit court and two days letter got a summons to serve a month in District Court! I don't mind doing my duty, but twice in the course of two months is too much.

Every state is different, and I don't know how yours works, but here if you've just served, I think that you can bring in the letter stating that you just served and they will excuse you. You might look into that.

[Squidnation]

I once was asked to serve jury duty prior to a tournament. I had successully gotten out of it twice but this time they said no go, you must attend. So I showed up and we got to the jury selection process. The case was of a person that was caught holding up a peoples drug store. I worked at peoples as a kid and knew as soon as I saw him that he was quilty. No two ways about it. So it got to the point where The judge asked if I or anyone could not be a fair juror. I raised my hand and was asked to approach the bench. the judge asked why and I said because he was quilty. No two ways about it. I said just look at em. He looks quilty. I worked at a peoples years ago and everyone that we caught theiving had that quilty look just like that guy. I was excused and have never been called back again.

[sling]

We have a 1 day or 1 trial system here for Circuit Court and you need to have served 5 days within the past 2 years to be excused from District Court. District Court is a 1 month deal.

[eppefour]

I went to jury duty in Cape May Courthouse. Some guy stood up in front of the judge and a room full of state and local police, and said he hated cops and thought they were all liars. The judge let him out . I figure if he got about 100 traffic tickets on the way home. I try never to piss off people with guns.