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IPads and Jury Duty?

P

Philalbe

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 11, 2010
255
0
Greater Boston Area
This may seem like a somewhat strange question, but I was wondering if anyone's brought their iPad to jury duty? I have to go next week. I'm not talking about fiddling with it while sitting on a jury, but simply to keep me occupied while waiting to see if I get picked. I imagine the rules may differ depending on the region and courthouse. Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,

Phil
 
You should be able to since it does'nt have a camera. I would definitely check with the court website, since you don't wan't it confiscated :(
 
bootedbear said:
Last time I was on jury duty, all electronic device needed to be turned off while in the courthouse.
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All devices? Even my iPhone? This might be tough...lol. Thanks for the info though.:) Looks like I may have to resort to bringing an actual ink and paper book...back to the dark ages:eek:
 
When I got a jury duty notice, it mentioned they had places to plug in laptops and free wifi, etc. in the waiting area which certainly implies it would be fine to take ipads or laptops. I didn't end up having to go so I can't say for sure, but I think it's probably fine while waiting to see if you're picked. I found a lot of info on the court website, so that's worth checking.
 
Took mine just this week. In the jury assembly room, everyone was on phones and laptops so I was using the iPad. In the actual court room, no electronic devices can be on. My jury waiting area had free wifi too.
 
I'm not sure on the rules but I noticed one of AT&T's free wifi spots is at a courthouse in the town I live in. Thought that was kind of funny actually.
 
You can't use it during the trial- you're supposed to be paying attention!
Also a big no no to avoid- Don't use your iPad to do your own research on the details of the trial. They tell you not to watch any news on TV about it and whipping out your iPad to prove a point during deliberations would be grounds for a mistrial.
 
WLS said:
You can't use it during the trial- you're supposed to be paying attention!
Also a big no no to avoid- Don't use your iPad to do your own research on the details of the trial. They tell you not to watch any news on TV about it and whipping out your iPad to prove a point during deliberations would be grounds for a mistrial.
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I gottcha. That's why I stated it was just to keep me occupied while waiting to see if I get picked. I've already served on a jury once...kinda hoping I don't get picked again. Last time it was pretty intense and drawn-out.
 
Here in Lexington, KY, we can not read a book or do anything while waiting to be selected for a jury. Serving on a jury is one of our civic duties and trying to get out of jury duty without a legitimate inconvenience is wrong, but try if you must, I always love hearing people's excuses to try to get out of jury duty.
 
BigHungry04 said:
Here in Lexington, KY, we can not read a book or do anything while waiting to be selected for a jury. Serving on a jury is one of our civic duties and trying to get out of jury duty without a legitimate inconvenience is wrong, but try if you must, I always love hearing people's excuses to try to get out of jury duty.
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I never said I was trying to get out of it. If I'm picked, I'm picked. But I'd be lying if I said I wanted to be picked. I've already served on a jury for a really intense case. So, you guys can't even bring a book? I'm in the Boston area and I've been called a few times and as I've said I've served once. Being called down here is usually an all day process. Strange they won't let you at least have a book to occupy yourself during downtime?
 
BigHungry04 said:
Here in Lexington, KY, we can not read a book or do anything while waiting to be selected for a jury. Serving on a jury is one of our civic duties and trying to get out of jury duty without a legitimate inconvenience is wrong, but try if you must, I always love hearing people's excuses to try to get out of jury duty.
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I was called in years ago after getting a new job. I had to serve at the same time that my job started. I told them that my mind was on that job, and was allowed to leave. It should be voluntary, not forced. Who wants someone who is there reluctantly to contribute to a decision about their lives? There are plenty of people who would love to serve. Let THEM.
 
Philalbe said:
I never said I was trying to get out of it. If I'm picked, I'm picked. But I'd be lying if I said I wanted to be picked. I've already served on a jury for a really intense case. So, you guys can't even bring a book? I'm in the Boston area and I've been called a few times and as I've said I've served once. Being called down here is usually an all day process. Strange they won't let you at least have a book to occupy yourself during downtime?
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The judges here believe that we should not be distracted while waiting to be pulled for cases or placed on a grand jury.

ChocolateApple said:
I was called in years ago after getting a new job. I had to serve at the same time that my job started. I told them that my mind was on that job, and was allowed to leave. It should be voluntary, not forced. Who wants someone who is there reluctantly to contribute to a decision about their lives? There are plenty of people who would love to serve. Let THEM.
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Starting a new job is considered a legitimate excuse. When you register to vote or in some places, get a drivers license you are automatically placed in the jury pool. So the way to avoid being called for jury duty is to not have a drivers license or register to vote, depending upon your state. This is one of the things citizens have to do.
 
Last year when I served on a jury the Judge told us when we were all in the back of the court room being selected. That if we wanted to get out of jury duty in the future just not to respond to the summons. They have no way of knowing if you actually got the summons in the mail it could have been lost or stolen out of your mail box.

I was kind of stunned that he would tell us this but he said that they do not want some one on the jury if they are sitting there thinking about how crummy this was and how to screw over the system, they want people that want to do the job right.

btw.. I had my kindle with me while serving, just had to keep it in the locked jury room when actually in the court room.
 
ChocolateApple said:
I was called in years ago after getting a new job. I had to serve at the same time that my job started. I told them that my mind was on that job, and was allowed to leave. It should be voluntary, not forced. Who wants someone who is there reluctantly to contribute to a decision about their lives? There are plenty of people who would love to serve. Let THEM.
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That's an interesting point:)
 
elistan said:
Distracted from what, though? Counting the ceiling tiles? :confused: There's not much else to do when you're just sitting there waiting for your number to be called.
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My point exactly. Better to read or do some creative writing on my iPad, rather than stare at my shoes all morning:)
 
I wouldn't want to at ours, even if we could. The attorneys will pick on you when you least expect it and quiz you on what they just talked about. If you're in a huge room with a hundred plus others, just waiting for your number to be called, then that's different (This was the first step in LA, but not here.)

I actually enjoy JD and find it interesting. Plus my employer pays full salary while I serve so instead of traveling for two weeks, I can stay home. ;)
 
Shouldn't be a problem took my laptop to jury service with me and there were no issues using it in the Jurors room between court sessions.
 
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