Jury duty

[adymond]

Okay so I have AGAIN been summoned for jury duty. I have lived here for six years and had NEVER been selected until June this year. I called and was not selected. This is just strange that I have a second summons. It's in October. I wonder if I will get to sit on a jury. I actually want to, but anyway. Here's the question. Can I carry to the courthouse in DelCo? I know they have lockers somewhere, but do jurors have a seperate enterance? Will there be lockers there?

[Galactic]

Don't know about lockers, but you all go in the main entrance through the detectors.

[LastManOut]

Congratulations on the Jury Duty selection. Unfortunately too many shirk this important duty, which allows for some shady dealings in the courtroom. Keep 'em straight.

[lprgcFrank]

Last time I went to the courthouse in Media - they told me they do not have lockers.

You should check out this thread on the responsibilities of a juror before you go
http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum65/15027.html

[Mr_Tom]

Some people shriek at it, because here in the Bethlehem area, it's broken. My wife was selected and had to go to Philly. Once there, the rule is she would only be picked for a case taking place in Easton, something they reiterated to our elected officials when I complained about the truth. The truth, my wife was being selected for a long Philly case(bus rides daily, with about 1/3 of our normal family income disappearing).

So the choice between being jerked around or trying to get out... guess what people choose.

Tom

[adymond]

Originally Posted by Mr_Tom

Some people shriek at it, because here in the Bethlehem area, it's broken. My wife was selected and had to go to Philly. Once there, the rule is she would only be picked for a case taking place in Easton, something they reiterated to our elected officials when I complained about the truth. The truth, my wife was being selected for a long Philly case(bus rides daily, with about 1/3 of our normal family income disappearing).

So the choice between being jerked around or trying to get out... guess what people choose.

Tom

Duty is not always easy. It is the duty of citizens to provide a jurry of one's peers. If we fail to do that why should we expect to have the same treatment if we ever need it? If I am ever put on trial for protecting myself or my family I would sure as hell hope people did not shy away from providing me with one of my rights that completely depends on the action of a fellow citizen. Sorry, but I don't think there is any reason to not comply with a summons for jury duty.

Now I guess I could have answered this myself by calling (which I just did). I looked up the number for the courthouse. Now the woman in the "Jury Commission" unit was horrified that I would even consider bringing my firearm.

Her: They would NEVER let you in the court house with that.
Me: Ma'am, in the Uniform Firearms Act of Pa. it clearly states that the court house has a responsibility to provide me with a secure location for me to check my firearm.
Her: They have metal dectors and everything. They would NEVER let you through them.
Me: Yes ma'am. That is correct. They would not allow me past them, but it is usually at the check point where I am given access to the locker or other method of checking my handgun.
Her: Well I'll let you talk to the Park Police (I think it was Park Police or Park security or something).

At this point she transfers me. I am sort of freaking out because I was an idiot and made the call before I had the thread pulled up regarding the statute or section of the code dictating this and was furiously checking.

Officer: Hello blah blah blah.
Me: Hello Officer, I am a DelCo resident who has been summoned for jury duty. I would like to know if there are lockers available for me to store my handgun should I be selected.
Officer: Would you be bringing it with you on that day?
Me: Of course.
Officer (after some hesitation): Yes they are available. When you get to the check point make us aware and we will escort you to the lockers.
Me: Thank you sir.

So bottom line. Media does have lockers available. I will have to take some fliers to the courthouse with me when I go so I can make sure some get to the Jury Commission. I will even have to highlight any info regarding the requirement to provide secure storage of a firearm.

[LorDiego01]

Make sure you know fully well your rights to Nullify as a Juror.

If you disagree with the law, it is within your right to vote Not Guilty. Regardless of what ANYBODY (including the Judge) will tell you. Look it up.

[adymond]

Originally Posted by LorDiego01

Make sure you know fully well your rights to Nullify as a Juror.

If you disagree with the law, it is within your right to vote Not Guilty. Regardless of what ANYBODY (including the Judge) will tell you. Look it up.

I feel like Jury Nullification is almost like a soldier's responsibility to refuse to carry out an unjust order. It may not be easy, but as I said before, carrying out your duty is not always easy. I doubt the case I would be on (if I am even selected this time around) will be that exciting, but I can hope.

[str8shooter]

Some have carried into a court house and had no trouble, including me in Chester County. Others in the same county, same court house got a lot of grief and attitude from security. The topic of carrying into a court house has come up before and what it comes down to is how willing are you to deal with the grief if you get it. What I'd advise is contrary to what I do, but that's because I have other battles to fight.

What I'd advise is if you want to bring it, than do so, and if you get crap from anyone, stand your ground if you know you're in the right. From threads on this forum I get the impression that the DelCo Sheriff is not very receptive to people carrying guns around without a badge, but that doesn't mean his department has the right to badger people into not doing it.

What I'd do is not bring the gun into the court house. I have many times in the past, and have had no problem, but I decided going through the process of checking it in and getting it back wasn't worth my time, so I lock my gun in the car or not carry at all if I know I'm going to the court house. This of course avoids any possible conflict, to which I'd probably just cave anyway and let the egomaniacs get their way. I'm not particularly proud that I ride on the coat-tails of 2A activists when gun rights are trampled, but when it comes to other issues, like the town changing zoning laws when a supervisor want to sell his farm to Walmart, or the school board stealing land in the name of eminant domain, I'm the one wearing the coat carrying a lot of people on my tails. We all can't be on every front in every battle at the same time, so I choose the battles I can have the greatest impact on, and let those better equipped fight the others.

[lprgcFrank]

Originally Posted by adymond

So bottom line. Media does have lockers available. I will have to take some fliers to the courthouse with me when I go so I can make sure some get to the Jury Commission. I will even have to highlight any info regarding the requirement to provide secure storage of a firearm.

Thanks for letting us know - next time I need to go to the Media courthouse - gun comes with me instead of staying in the car.