Have you ever received a subpoena to appear in court?

1. 82

   MarleneBposted 12 years ago

   Have you ever received a subpoena to appear in court?
   
   If so, how did it make you feel? Were you excited? Did you feel like your time had been violated? Would your appearance help or hurt someone you knew?

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2. 82

   Thelma Albertsposted 12 years ago

   No, I hope not in my entire life. I have not even seen how a subpoena looks like.

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   1. 82

      MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Me either. I was talking to someone today who said her neighbor received a subpoena. I hope I never discover first-hand what that feels like.

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   2. 76

      Laura Schneiderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      A subpoena is just a hand-delivered (by sheriff or private company) letter stating you have to be there or you could be arrested in contempt of court.

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3. 72

   Abbyfitzposted 12 years ago

   Not for court but for deposition. I had witnessed some domestic dispute. I was walking my dog and a car tried to push another car off the road

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      MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oh my goodness! I'm trying to imagine that scene. That's some serious road rage.

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4. 87

   yeagerinvestmentsposted 12 years ago

   Yes, many times when I worked as a probation officer in Illinois. It was part of my job but it always made me nervous. In most cases I had to testify against my defendants but they always knew what was going on. Never a surprise.

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   1. 72

      Abbyfitzposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm a court reporter. You wouldn't believe how many people ignore a subpoena and never sow up

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      MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, what a job, yeagerinvestments. And, by the way, thank you for your service as a probation officer.

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5. 68

   the clean lifeposted 12 years ago

   Yes I have and it was a murder trial. I didn't look forward to that, but I had to go or else... I was not excited at all, but the good part is that they found other evidence and the trial was postponed and they had to pick new jurors. Thank God.. Now I just got summons to appear in court again in a different county, but I got out of it this time. They can summons you every 3 years but not before after you have served in a trial

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   1. 82

      MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow! Summoned again? Aren't there enough people in your area that they can find someone else to summon and not just you all the time? I'm kidding, of course, but I wonder why some people more than others get picked.

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      the clean lifeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If you are registered to Vote they will find you

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   3. 76

      Laura Schneiderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Indeed, serving on a jury is our right and duty as American citizens, and it is an important one because you get to protect the innocent and punish the guilty. If you are the plaintiff or defendant in a case, you hope for an honest, attentive jury.

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6. 60

   Lorie Hillposted 12 years ago

   I have also not ever received a subpoena for court.

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   1. 82

      MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, knock on wood. Now that you said that, you will probably get a subpoena tomorrow. I hope not.

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7. 0

   Lizam1posted 12 years ago

   Sometimes in my job I get a subpoena to family court. I don't like them but it sometimes is part of my job.  I also received one after I discovered a burglar in my office and told him to get the hell OUT.  My daughters were with me and thanks to our description he got "nicked" and confessed, so I didn't have to appear for that one.

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      MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You are a brave person, Lizam1. I'm glad the thief got caught and that you all turned out OK afterwards.

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      Laura Schneiderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, that's really scary! I agree with MarleneB: you're a brave person! I'm also glad the thief was caught (and that you didn't have to appear in court even!).

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8. 39

   Kv Krishnamurthyposted 12 years ago

   No never in my life so far? My age is 70 years now and I dont expect such things to happen in my life. Thanks.

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   1. 82

      MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I hope that when I'm 70, I can say the same, living a happy subpoena-free life.

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9. 83

   elayne001posted 12 years ago

   I was arrested for working in a foreign country. Although I was married to a Tongan, I was an illegal alien and had to get a work permit. read more

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      MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I read your story. What a life-changing moment that was. I'm glad it had a happy ending.

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10. 68

    skgraoposted 12 years ago

    I am fortunate in this case and I hate:-
    1 ) Courts in India.
    2 ) Hospitals in India.
    3 ) Police Stations in India.

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    1. 82

       MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       So, skgrao, where's all this hate coming from? I'm just kidding. Congratulations on not ever receiving a subpoena.

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11. 60

    Dr. Haddoxposted 12 years ago

    No. I suppose that I have been lucky not to have. It is trouble to go through this procedure, I am sure of it, because one must suffer the lost of time, and have to become involved within the law system. This is all that I know to say about this.
    Regards,
    Dr. Haddox

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    1. 76

       Laura Schneiderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       It is a loss of time and a huge inconvenience on the part of the juror or witness, but it is very important to the persons involved with the trial, both plaintiff and defendant, so please don't think of it as horrible if you're ever called to serve.

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    2. 82

       MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       It is a necessary process, and naturally, upon being called we must serve. But, that doesn't relieve the fact that it is time consuming. We don't have to like it, but we do have to be there. I just know I wouldn't enjoy it.

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12. 76

    Laura Schneiderposted 12 years ago

    Yes, I had to sue a former employer for I think it was 13 varieties of mischief (fraud, theft, whistleblower, etc.). I answered a deposition for about 3-5 hours, then later appeared in court for two weeks. It was nerve-wracking testifying, even though I knew the facts were on my side, because it was difficult to explain to a level that the jury would understand. I normally talk fast, and, being nervous, I talked even faster, so I had to consciously talk slower for the court reporter to keep up and still keep my thoughts straight in my head. I even had to try to do a complicated math problem for them to show them how the money was stolen without the ability to use a chalk/whiteboard or anything. I had a good friend testify on my behalf, who also worked for that employer, and he did a great job: I was very, very grateful, even though I knew it was a terrible inconvenience to him (he was running a marathon the next day). It was actually exciting to see how things all worked from the inside (not on TV), though. So many rules!
    
    I've also been subpoenaed for jury duty. The first time, I had just recently (the week before) moved to a different state, so that disqualified me, and the second time I wasn't selected to appear. They always subpoena tons more people than are actually needed because some people don't show up and some are rejected as jurors by the attorneys right at the beginning of the trial.

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    1. 82

       MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Inside the court room is exciting, but scary. Like you said, there are so many rules. I can imagine being nervous about breaking the rules and then being punished for that. What a bad day that would be.

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       Laura Schneiderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       They grant you leeway if you're not a professional who's used to being in court, no worries. The court reporter would just ask me to slow down if I was talking too fast, and my attorney told me to stand when the judge stands, etc. It was actually OK.

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13. 68

    tenderLaineposted 12 years ago

    No, I never have. If it ever happens, I hope I would view it as my civic duty and privilege in our free society.

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       MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       tenderLaine, it is a civic duty and that's why we do it. And, I guess it is a privilege because not everyone gets to do it.

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    nanderson500posted 12 years ago

    Not so far, luckily. If I did, I would probably feel nervous.

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    1. 82

       MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Nervous and apprehensive, since it is something we've never done and nothing reliable to reference what to expect.

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15. 76

    davidlivermoreposted 12 years ago

    I've had to testify in court for the work I do.  It's quite interesting and exciting.  I am sure it depends on the context on why you are required for court.  Mine was in my regular duties, so it wasn't unexpected either.

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    1. 82

       MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I see. I guess when you have a job that requires you to be in court for such things, it makes it less stressful or annoying. Thank you for your input to this question.

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