<p>Oh. I don't vot.. I just thought it was odd that he isn't a resident but was called for it.</p>
<p>But that's the point. He is considered to be a resident -- at least a part time resident. The jury pools are often culled from a number of sources, including voter lists, tax records, etc. He's over 18, living most of the year in Anytown, MA. Why wouldn't he be considered a resident of Anytown? Because his parents live elsewhere? Because he spends the summers at Somewhere, CA?</p>
<p>
[quote]
at least a part time resident.
[/quote]
A most-of-the-time resident, in fact.</p>
<p>There is a difference from being a 'resident' and an 'inhabitant' of a state - and inhabitant is the key word here. MA has pretty strict jury laws and yes - they will go after you if you do not follow the rules.</p>
<p>One last thing to offer - If your student - who is in MA - is unable to fulfill their responsibility for various and sundry reasons - there is one last option - they can also be considered a walk-in juror. If they are not available due to being out of the state (after having been summoned) and are not able to go on the specified date - or chosen date - they are expected to volunteer their services upon their return to the state - i.e. - walk-in juror - there is no exception to this - and does not qualify one to be a stand-by juror.</p>
<p>We ran into a huge problem with a jury summons - student far out-of-state - expected by MA law to do jury duty in MA - rescheduled - the court - far in advance - cancelled all trials for that date - student is now expected to be a walk-in - when student returns to this state - also means student must show up - register - wait - and must do this until excused by the court!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>No fooling around with the Jury system in MA - they will make sure you serve - one way or the other - by being on call juror (if not needed - you are good for 1 year) - showing up - 1-3 day trail or excused ( fulfilled committment for up to 3 years - or walk-in - when you are available.</p>
<p>We were advised also that if/when the juror does have to go to the court - it is possible to let the judge know that it would be a hardship to serve more than 1 -3 days - espeically if you are an out-of-state MA resident student.</p>
<p>I thought you weren't a resident of the state you went to school in if its different than the state your guardians live in. Or is that only for finacial aid?</p>
<p>Residency involves a bunch of criteria - but the key word in the MA jury regs is INHABITANT - differs from resident. 2 different animals..............</p>
<p>My son who is also at Williams was called and served last year. I have to confess when I first heard about it, my reaction was "get out of it!" but after he checked with other students he was advised to just get it over with.</p>
<p>It turned out to be an valuable experience for him and a great civics lesson in how the legal system operates. He was assigned a interesting case (nobody died) and was even elected foreman. All in all it was a good opportunity to experience real life group dyamics.</p>
<p>It certainly seems from this thread that only MA vigorously pursues college students. I'm all for fulfilling one's civic duty but still feel it can/should be done in one's home state where one is a registered voter and driver.</p>
<p>I was called last year for Jury Duty in Massachusetts (where I live and study). I did have to miss an exam, but my professors were understanding. Actually, the whole experience was extremely interesting and I'm glad I could do it.</p>
<p>How did you get to court? Was it accessible by "T"?</p>
<p>It was in my home district, so I had to return home for a day and drove there.</p>