<p>My D is not in a state school so I don't know about residency issues. But I do know that that if you are an "inhabitant for 50% of the time" you qualify for duty. Think about what FL and AZ and all the other southern states could do with a law like this if they applied it to all their "snowbirds". The fact is if every state randomly goes off and decides on different criteria for jury selection the system becomes confusing and complex. Every other state besides MA (as I described above) currently has the same equitable system in place. MA is the only state disrupting an otherwise standardized system.</p>
<p>Actually, I'll add fuel to the fire and say that MA is the only state that's got it right! Students use state resources for the vast majority of the year. Most of them pay no taxes, and the schools they go to are tax exempt. One day's jury duty (or a few more if they get chosen for the jury) seems like a small thing to give back to the community you're living in.</p>
<p>Actually, I'll add fuel to the fire and say that MA is the only state that's got it right! Students use state resources for the vast majority of the year. Most of them pay no taxes, and the schools they go to are tax exempt. One day's jury duty (or a few more if they get chosen for the jury) seems like a small thing to give back to the community you're living in.</p>
<p>ill agree to that but in the case of a public school then i believe that you are paying your share of taxes.....from the increased tuition.....if you want me to serve which i gladly will......but you would have to consider me a resident of the state and give me what in staters are paying...imo of course</p>
<p>Interesting addition to my previous post where I mentioned that D had fulfilled her jury duty obligation as an oos in Massachusetts back in January. </p>
<p>Just for kicks, I sent an email to the Jury Admin for CT to see if she would be required to serve in CT should she be called in the next 3 years, given the fact that she has already served in Mass. Well here is their answer </p>
<p>"Connecticut does not recognize other states as serving jury duty, so your daughter would have to serve". </p>
<p>Net, she could technically be called to serve in CT this year as well!! Of course this is not nearly as inconvenient as Massachusetts but I find it interesthing that Mass will indeed give you an exemption if you have served in another state. Too bad she didn't get called for CT Jury duty instead of Massachusetts, it would have made our lives a LOT easier !!</p>
<p>In some states, there IS a mechanism where you can ask to serve as a juror in the state. If you were to ask, you mgiht be able to find out & have your child serve over the summer in your home state so she won't have to worry about having to serve during the school year when she's attending school. Something to think about, in any case.</p>
<p>I sit as a judge in a criminal court and speak with jurors constantly. One consistent message that I hear is that jurors are amazed at how fulfilling it is to participate in their legal system by sitting as a juror. Even jurors who come in with negative attitudes about sitting are generally turned around by the time they leave. The free exchange of ideas between people from completely different economic and social strata is something that just doesn't happen very often. It's very special.</p>
<p>In California there are virtually no acceptable excuses anymore, with everyone including mayors, federal judges, self-employed, physicians, etc. serving on juries. ( LA Mayor Villaraigosa served on a panel for three days right after he was sworn in last July; I'm sure he had other very important things to do).</p>
<p>The jury system is designed to allow students to postpone their service until they have school vacation. Generally jury service can be done in the county where the student lives. I cannot think of a more valuable "hands-on" civics lesson. I encourage everyone to turn around their thinking and not think of jury service as a burden, but as a positive way to contribute to the administration of justice in their community.</p>
<p>So the story continues....Went to the mailbox yesterday (here in AZ) to find a jury summons for my daughter for the first week in May!</p>
<p>So some questions: Should students have to serve in both states (state where they attend school and legal residence)? or
Should each state have provisions to excuse them from service if they have served in another state?</p>