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Trevor
Joined: 16 Nov 2005
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:20 am Post subject: Jury Duty in California |
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Long story short, I don't have an address in the USA, so my neighbor in my old apartment building in San Francisco occasionally forwards mail to me. The mailman got used to delivering my name to her and when I got a notice through her to renew my driver's license online, I did so from Korea. I figured it would save me the hassle of reapplying for my license should I ever return to the U.S. (still undecided)
So now I got a notice for jury duty that says 1500 dollar fine if I don't respond. No easy way to inform them that I don't reside in Cali anymore.
Anybody else have this dilemma? Cali's broke and if they can figure out a way for me to be a source of $1500, they'll do it (every live in Cali? the most obnoxious state government in the country). |
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Straphanger
Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 4:58 am Post subject: |
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So respond. Call the court clerk, tell them where you are, and the clerk will ask the judge to get you deferred. |
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Adventurer

Joined: 28 Jan 2006
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:09 am Post subject: Re: Jury Duty in California |
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Trevor wrote: |
Long story short, I don't have an address in the USA, so my neighbor in my old apartment building in San Francisco occasionally forwards mail to me. The mailman got used to delivering my name to her and when I got a notice through her to renew my driver's license online, I did so from Korea. I figured it would save me the hassle of reapplying for my license should I ever return to the U.S. (still undecided)
So now I got a notice for jury duty that says 1500 dollar fine if I don't respond. No easy way to inform them that I don't reside in Cali anymore.
Anybody else have this dilemma? Cali's broke and if they can figure out a way for me to be a source of $1500, they'll do it (every live in Cali? the most obnoxious state government in the country). |
I am sure there is a number to call on that paper. Ask what it is, and call the number and tell them what's up. |
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Straphanger
Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:49 am Post subject: Re: Jury Duty in California |
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Adventurer wrote: |
I am sure there is a number to call on that paper. Ask what it is, and call the number and tell them what's up. |
Thank you Mr. Redundant. Thank you Mr. Redundant. Thank you Mr. Redundant. |
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bluelake

Joined: 01 Dec 2005
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:55 am Post subject: |
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My son ran into it twice (Michigan). All he had to do was write the county clerk a letter saying he lives in Korea and would be unable to fulfill the duties; he faxed it to them and it was accepted both times (they evidently don't keep the letters on file). You might want to check your county clerk's website, as the info's probably there. |
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Straphanger
Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:10 am Post subject: |
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bluelake wrote: |
My son ran into it twice (Michigan). All he had to do was write the county clerk a letter saying he lives in Korea and would be unable to fulfill the duties; he faxed it to them and it was accepted both times (they evidently don't keep the letters on file). You might want to check your county clerk's website, as the info's probably there. |
The clerk can't do squat. The *judge* needs to formally dismiss you. You need to call the *clerk* to get the judge to defer you.
And get it in writing. |
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Adventurer

Joined: 28 Jan 2006
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:41 am Post subject: Re: Jury Duty in California |
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Straphanger wrote: |
Adventurer wrote: |
I am sure there is a number to call on that paper. Ask what it is, and call the number and tell them what's up. |
Thank you Mr. Redundant. Thank you Mr. Redundant. Thank you Mr. Redundant. |
You sound upset, my friend. I am sorry, if I didn't notice that you said that.
Have a nice evening, Hauss. It's all good and all.... |
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lestat_duvoise
Joined: 02 Apr 2009 Location: Pellington
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:58 am Post subject: |
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It's pretty much a non-issue as long as you contact them before the due date. At least in my state, Connecticut, they're pretty lenient about it, as long as you have a reasonable excuse and I think working and living in Korea is a good one.
You'll be fine |
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travelingfool
Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Location: Parents' basement
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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Greetings from the Peoples' Socialist Republic of California.
All you have to do is give them a call. They are usually very cool about dismissing you or deferring it. The idiotic, always condescending poster who said a judge needs to dismiss you is full of horse shite. Being a California native I have gotten tons of those things. The last one I got went to my parents' house and I just had them give the court a call to tell them I was living abroad. No problem. I haven't gotten one since. |
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bluelake

Joined: 01 Dec 2005
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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Straphanger wrote: |
bluelake wrote: |
My son ran into it twice (Michigan). All he had to do was write the county clerk a letter saying he lives in Korea and would be unable to fulfill the duties; he faxed it to them and it was accepted both times (they evidently don't keep the letters on file). You might want to check your county clerk's website, as the info's probably there. |
The clerk can't do squat. The *judge* needs to formally dismiss you. You need to call the *clerk* to get the judge to defer you.
And get it in writing. |
I don't know about other states, but in Michigan we just have to notify the county clerk in writing (fax or letter). What the clerk does after the notification, I have no idea. |
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oldtactics

Joined: 18 Oct 2008
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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In addition to the excellent advice above, it might be about time to pay the $70 whole dollars and get the post office to transfer your mailing address so that your neighbour doesn't have to deal with all your government mail for you. |
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cvmurrieta
Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Location: Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject: Re: Jury Duty in California |
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Trevor wrote: |
Cali's broke and if they can figure out a way for me to be a source of $1500, they'll do it (every live in Cali? the most obnoxious state government in the country). |
As a former California state government (State Disability Insurance) employee myself, as long as you are acting in good faith, most agencies will work with you if you need to make installment payment. Since the state is in such arrears, I seriously doubt that they are going to devote money to chasing all but the most egregrious abusers.
Back to the issue: I have not had this happen this time around; but when I lived in Japan from 1994-1999, I just wrote a letter to the San Diego Superior Court to let them know that I am living in Japan. Never heard back from them. |
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vampirepirate01

Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Incheon, Korea
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Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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lucky, i always get called for jury duty when I am inside the country. The last time I went , the trial centered around the placement of somebody's driveway. |
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