Sal the Cat summoned for jury service... and court rules he 'must attend'
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 8:03 PM on 18th January 2011
A pet cat has been summoned for jury duty - and has been told by courts he 'must attend'
Despite owner Anna Esposito's protestations that a mistake has been made, a jury commissioner has ruled that Sal must attend the court.
She wrote that Sal was 'unable to speak and understand English' - and included a letter from her vet saying that the animal was a 'domestic short-haired neutered feline'.
Not guilty, your honour: Sal has been summoned for jury duty from March 23 - and his owner has been told he is not exempt from serving
Amazed: Sal's owners Anna and Guy Esposito are preparing to take their pet to court after a jury commissioner turned down their request to have the animal exempted from service
Bizarrely, the court ruled the animal must report to the courtroom. If the matter is not resolved he will have to report to Suffolk Superior Crown Court in Boston, U.S. on March 23.
Anna wrote her Sal's name under 'pets' on the last census - she crossed out 'dogs' and said he was a cat.
She said: 'When they ask him guilty or not guilty? What's he supposed to say - miaow?
'Sal is a member of the family so I listed him on the last Census form under pets but there has clearly been a mix-up.'
Case closed? Sal's details were recorded when there was a Boston state census - and he appears to have been mistakenly identified as a human when the forms were processed
Case closed? Sal's details were recorded when there was a Boston state census - and he appears to have been mistakenly identified as a human when the forms were processed
Husband Guy added: 'I said, Sal, what's this? I was shocked. He likes to sit on my knee and watch crime shows with me but even so he's still under qualified for jury duty if you ask me.'
There are ten statutory disqualifications preventing people from serving on a jury - and Mrs Esposito said Sal was not suitable because he could not understand the language.
However, jurors are 'not expected' to have a perfect command of the English language.
The other exemptions did not apply because Sal was not ill, too old or a convicted felon.
It is thought he accidentally ended up on the juror list when paperwork was misread at the last census.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article … z1BmbR5jac
this was a rare cat breed indeed...sitting on a jury and all....
Most cats have a crazy look in their eye. I don't think Sal will be competent enough to be selected. Plus, being a cat, he has a busy schedule of sleeping 23 hours a day. Is the judge prepared to fit the trial around that? http://www.gettingoutofjuryduty.co.cc/
This is too funny! And a little scary, knowing that jurors aren't expected to know English very well. I hope I never have to go to trial for anything!
This is the funniest news that I’ve read in a long time! Thanks for sharing.
I don't think this funny at all... I believe that the Court officials are well aware of the fact that Sal is a Cat!
I base my opinion on the fact that he has been summoned for duty on 23rd March!
THAT just happens to be the SAME DAY that my Nephew - Harvey Mouse is on trial or stealing crumbs from Suffolk Bakeries!
Just Too Much of a Coincidence!
Hi Someway... Howdy.. will be an interesting day the 23rd
It'll be interesting also to see if Judge Bird is on the bench..
by Jimmy the jock 12 years ago
Today was my big day in court, awake all last night with excitement wondering what kind of case i would be on the Jury for, would it be a murder or even an armed robbery? or would it be a big jewel hiest.With butterflies in my stomach i left early this morning just to be sure i would get there in...
by seanorjohn 13 years ago
Have you ever sworn on the bible? I did on jury service. I also did when I was very young to my brother Joe.
by NaomiR 14 years ago
These stupid New York City jury people won't leave me alone! I served my time last year, right around Christmas, and was told that we're exempt for two years. But lo and behold, a summons came for me today, almost exactly a year later. They have it set up so you can inform them if you qualify for...
by Ralph Schwartz 4 years ago
Democrats in Congress want to force the AG to disclose Grand Jury information and all the supporting documentation to the Mueller Witch Hunt - so much that he's going to hold him in Contempt for refusing to break the law. This is the unhinged behavior we can expect all summer as the...
by No Longer Fleeced 6 years ago
If my credit card company takes me to court will there be a jury?I stared with a $25,000 consolidation debt, now five years later it's only down to $20,000 yet I've already paid $34,000. I no longer want to pay these crooks.
by LeeWalls 13 years ago
What's been your experience with jury duty?
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