Pulling Out the Stop When It Comes to Jury Duty

There's a wonderful article in the NY Times about the county clerk, Norman Goodman, who is in charge of jury summons for Manhattan courts. Not only has the 82 year old Goodman been there for almost 40 years (it's also a "lifetime" post), he gets to read all the excuses people give for not rising to their civic duty. Here are some of the "excuses":
- A cat threw up on the jury summons - and the summons did have a "orange and yellow splat" on it.
- Being dead (the Health Department confirmed the death)
- Being dead (widow sent ashes)
- Not being an American citizen (Naomi Campbell, though, would have been happy to serve)
- Hemorrhoids
- Being abused (sent in a picture of "her battered face")
- Being a famous director who had an emotionally wrenching trial with an ex who is the mother of the current squeeze (but Woody Allen did show up, wearing a Fidel Castro cap and fatigues)

Have you had jury duty recently? NY State Judge Judith Kaye is trying to make jury duty nicer, and we were wondering if things were more pleasant. More information at NYJuror.gov.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on April 13, 2006 1:19 PM

Comments [rss]

needs a break

Thanks Gothamist! I downloaded the volunteer form and mailed it. This is my ticket for at least one day off from work.

Once again, Gothamist has come through for me.

Juror

If you don't feel like waiting for the next random cycle, you're allowed to volunteer for jury duty at any time.

Martin

Wanted to echo what Gwin said -- federal court jury duty at 100 or 500 (can't remember either) Centre Street is a dream. Big room, comfy chairs, they're pleasant to you, no big deal if you're a few minutes late etc. Word to the wise -- if you have work that can be done on a laptop, bring it! There's a room to the side that has a narrow table up against a wall and an outlet is there. I wish I had known that. I don't know about wifi though.

Kevin Walsh

I enjoy jury duty. A quiet room all day, no screaming kids running around. Paradise.

Usually the lawyers let me out, too.

They haven't snagged me since 2002. Come on call me!

www.forgotten-ny.com

ramone

First of all, the picture was taken at the 60 center street supreme court building. i was in the jury room yesterday when the picture was taken... i was about 20 feet to Mr. Goodman's right in that picture... second of all, i am indeed from the midwest, have been living here for 4 years and am still registered to vote in michigan and do not have a ny id... however, i think they got my name because i pay ny taxes

tien

i think this is the same "n. goodman" on the notary public ID cards.

sad sad

I bet half of Gothamist's Midwestern readers won't ever find out what jury duty is like in NYC, because they aren't registered to vote in NYC, they still carry IDs from Smalltown, Wisconsin and have cell phones with their old numbers.

Gwinny

I've lived here 14 years and have done jury duty 3 times (but never gotten picked for a jury). The first two times were in a building on Centre Street - the jury holding room was horrible with no windows, uncomforable chairs, etc.

The last time was a Federal courthouse on Pearl Street (100 Pearl? 500 Pearl? Can't remember the number). I think that's the one Norman is sitting in for the Times pic, and it's also the room featured in "Sex and the City" when Carrie does jury duty. That room is fabulous - lots of windows, magazines to read, etc. I hope I get called for Pearl Street next time too.

tom

Is it me, or does the Times run this exact article every few years?

Matt

I just went a few months ago, got picked for a jury, had to report back, only to have the case get settled. All in all it wasn't too bad of an experience, but there was a court officer in the main jury room who needed to lighten the fuck up. He'd totally lose it each time someone asked him a question, or he heard a cell phone.

Vin

I like jury duties, if I can afford to get out of work to serve. Get to the courts at 10am, get a 2 hour lunch break, go home by 4pm, if not picked.

rev pays

I didn't see the Diane Sawyer one. The one I saw had Sam Waterson doing the narration.

Serve every 4 yrs, like clockwork the summons arrives. Next one will be in 6 yrs because I just served on a Grand Jury.

Pauly Shore

I personally love jury duty. I especially like the video they show at the NY Supreme Court on the history of the judicial system, hosted by Diane Sawyer. The best scene was where they showed an old court in the Middle Ages, tied someone up and threw him in the water to see whether he was guilty (guilty floats, innocent sinks). Classic!