April 12, 2006
Five Dollars A Day
That's what jurors receive in
Idaho. Which makes
me feel a little better about my own
pay. But not much, since
parking is probably cheaper in Idaho.
(Several commenters said that Washington's ten dollars a day dates back to 1959; that would have been
very close to the minimum wage then, as I recall.)
Posted by Jim Miller at April 12, 2006
02:59 PM | Email This
1. I thought there was a minimum pay rule in this town!
2. My first job was about that time. $0.75 an hour or 6 dollars a day. It was in real money though, silver coins if I wanted them. That equates to around $54 with the devalued currency of today.
3. I think everyone should have the chance to participate in a jury trial. I have been summoned twice but went my whole week both times without being called in. However, as part of a volunteer experience with the local county clerk's office, I had the chance to follow a few trials from voir dire to closing arguments. THAT was a very interesting experience, especially considering my intentions to go into law school. Even without that, I think that it should be a required civics requirement for high school kids to watch a trial from start to finish, and at least an unwritten requirement for everyone else to serve on a jury or otherwise get firsthand education in our legal system.
4. $5.00... at that rate they will only get "ILLEGAL"...err... I mean guest workers to sit on a jury!!!
5. In 1959, there was no minimum wage. It was called a prevailing wage. The level of the prevailing wage was determined by market forces, not government fiat.
6. NotAGreener, I'm a recent grad of Seattle Univ School of Law. If you have questions about law school I'd be glad to try and answer them for you. A law degree is a wonderful education. It requires a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication and time, but well worth it.
On the issue of jury duty, it is a problem. Unless one works for a company that pays one's salary while on jury duty, most people can't afford to take the time off from work, and they're usually excused. What's the result? A jury that's made up of the retired, independently wealthy, and unemployed.
Hardly a jury of one's peers.
7. Conselor Cantu, I agree--my experience is that most people feel it's an inconvenience and dwell only on when they are going home daily, not on anyone's impartial justice; i.e.--my microwave dinner trumps your verdict; how to incentivize it? maybe lots more pay or something else; must have been studies done on this; i think lawyers play precisely on this apathy in jury selections;
8. If I were to do jury duty, I should not ever find myself on a jury, because the minute they find out that I listen to KVI, admire the police and the military and think that criminals deserve what they get, they'd put me out as soon as humanly possible.
And one more thing--if I were ever a judge, they'd call me the hanging judge.
9. Misty, there's always going to be one side that will favor your views. So your chances might be better than you think. I was chosen for a jury trial a couple of years ago. During voir dire, they could probably figure out I was conservative, but as long as you don't start preaching about totalitarianism or anything, they don't have objections to just being a conservative.
Some of the things people said to try and get out of jury duty were laughable at best, and just pathetic in some instances. I could only shake my head in disbelief. If I was the guy on trial, I would be hoping these people were not chosen (and they weren't).
10. Mexico has announced it seeks closer ties with Iran. They are suggesting military cooperation, among other ideas. How a tequila-drinking, pork-eating, Catholic country is supposed to get along with a strict Muslim theocracy has yet to be announced, but this proposed alliance does offer the US a unique opportunity. We can now bring our national guard troops home from Iraq and put them on the southern border because Mexico would have allied itself with Islamo-terroist state. It’s also a good reason to build a wall between us and Mexico. It could be that the actions of the Mexican government might indirectly solve the illegal immigration problem!
11. For what it's worth, I served on a jury for the U.S. District Court last fall and they paid $40 a day. Even though I'm a military vet, listen to KVI, support the police, and believe criminals belong in jail. Nobody asked me that.
12. During the Dino Rossi race, my brother referred me to this site. I have been very impressed.
At NorthIdahoBlogs.Com I have tried to follow your lead by reporting specifically about a judicial race we are having in a primary on May 23, 2006.
Check out some of the comments this judge has made to a murderer: "believe you are spiritual..."
I have attempted to mirror how you and your contriubutors deliver the facts about cases, case numbers, links to the source, etc.
I hope some of your outstanding people at this site might consider visiting and lending some moral support.
I BELIEVE YOU WILL SHOCKED AT THE lack of sentences and utter commitment this judge has for treating sex offenders and light sentences for felons.
So, here is a rookie who hardly knows how to use a computer...giving it my best shot.
Thank you for your inspiration and advice in advance.
Bob