I was at jury duty today (western PA, USA). They only went through the selection process and I was not selected for grand jury duty. They swore us in at the beginning, in a room of 153 jurors. They didn't break out any bibles and the oath we took did not say "...so help me God". I was quite pleased.
I used to get called every 3 years, but was never picked, until 6 years ago. Yes, I got picked and was on a jury for a trial where a friend accidentally shot a friend and the friend died. It was tough, big time. I cried so hard at the reading of the verdict....probably why I was never called back since then--lol. It was Pennsylvania, and no, no Bible was used, which I was happy for.
That makes me very very happy. Two good things for Pennsylvania this week! (Within my scope.) Yay!!
The day I got home from the hospital with my youngest child I got a summons for jury duty. I lived in Hampton, VA. I've always wanted to serve on a jury, but after a c-section and nursing a baby, that was not good timing. In the past year I received a summons for jury duty here in Omaha. They let you call in to find out if they need you, and I wasn't needed that day. Sigh. And said baby from the first time was 25 when I got the second summons. If they call me in another 25 years I'm likely to be dead.
Think they'll call you EVERY 25 years???
:-0
@chuckles LOL, that has been the way it is so far. It remains to be seen if the schedule continues.
The selection process is ridiculous. Dishonest people can lie and give the desired answers if they want to get approved, and also lie if they do not want to be approved by giving answers that will disqualify them. On the other hand honest people can be disqualified for giving honest answers.
When I was a legal secretary, I was called for jury duty. Both lawyers knew who I worked for, but they chose me anyway. When I told my boss, he said, "Didn't you know how to get out of that?" I was even more disgusted by him, which I hadn't thought possible!
Vague recollections of doing jury service here in the UK. As I recall, we were each asked whether we wanted to be sworn in using religious wording or not.
Nicked from Wikipedia (oaths/affirmations for the UK):
Some Christians and Jews
I swear by almighty God that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence.
Islam
I swear by Allah that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence.
Sikhs
I swear by Waheguru that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence.
Hindus
I, swear on the Gita I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence.
Anyone who chooses to affirm rather than swear, including atheists, agnostics, and Christians who do not swear oaths, such as Quakers, Moravians, and Jehovah's Witnesses
I solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence.
Really "customized", that's another way to do it. I still like the idea (for here in the US) to swear on our Constitution. After all, that's the law we're pledging to uphold...
Be aware for the next time it is a requirement in most places that if someone says something ahead of time the courts have to administer a god-free oath to that person.
Someone told me on another post that Arkansas is pretty much the reverse of that. If you're an atheist, you can't be a juror, a witness in a trial, or hold public office.
@chuckles So when do we have to worry about segregated atheist bathrooms?
Yeah, right...
I'm 61 and have never been called for jury duty.
Sorry, are you saying you've "never" been called before? I was selected 3 times when I lived in New Jersey. The first time was for child molesting, but we didn't end up doing anything; the culprit pled guilty the evening after we were selected. The second time was for murder-we found the boyfriend guilty of stabbing his girlfriend. The third time was for malpractice-we found the doctor not guilty of negligence.
Called a couple of other times, but not put into the box. Once I'm in the box, I always get selected to stay.
I've only been on a jury once in California. I wish I'd get called again. It makes me angry when good, intelligent people I know find ways to "get out of it." I believe it is our civic DUTY when called.