Court's ability to get things right does not inspire confidence... - Nothing to See Here
Nov. 21st, 2007
07:04 pm - Court's ability to get things right does not inspire confidence...
I received a Juror Summons in the mail today.
Before I opened it, it amused me, because -- well -- since I'm not a US citizen, it would be illegal for me to serve on a jury, and it seems like it could be amusing to inform them of that fact. The fact that they got my name wrong (they swapped my last name and my second middle name) was really dumb too, but I didn't care too much because, well, I don't have to serve so whatever!
... but then I opened it and read it, and I have to send them frickin' proof (photocopy of passport or alien resident card) that I'm not a US citizen. I have to waste my time and money to correct their imbecilic mistake? *sigh*
Current Location: 806
Current Mood:
annoyed

Current Music: "Dare to be Stupid" - Weird Al Yankovic
IIRC they get lists for jury duty from DMV registration.
FYI -- if you were in San Mateo County, all you'd have to do is mark a check box :D
It's odd that I just got one now, after having lived here for 6.5 years. I suppose it's just random chance, perhaps.
It's also odd that they got my name wrong! ... since my name's definitely not wrong on my driver's license, so DMV records are presumably right. Similarly, if they got it from the county clerk (licensing/certification of marriage), they would have the right name for me. I ... just don't understand how they could have my name screwed up like that.
Re just marking a checkbox, if I were to respond that I am ineligible for some other reason (e.g. not being a resident of Santa Clara county, not yet being 18, or almost any of the other reasons), I would not have to provide documentation! I would only have to check a box and (for some of them) fill in a couple of details.
If I were someone trying to lie ... would I not just check one of the other boxes? Why add extra security checks to the verification of one of them and not others?
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Oh well. Lame!
It is very odd that the names were switched.
Edited at 2007-11-22 07:27 pm (UTC)
The fact that you can not be elligible for conscription to military service or jury service or what have you ... but can suffer legal consequences for not proving the incredibly obvious facts is pretty moronic. :) It should be up to them to follow up if they really want to, and then they should say "oops, we're sorry".