Help, Jury Duty-US District Court Richmond, VA

[Litta'sGabby]

I have to call in every day for the next two weeks to see if I get called for Jury Duty. The courthouse will not allow any electronics, no cellphone, no iPod, and....no ecig! I actually said to the very kind and understanding woman who took my call inquiring about ecigs "No NICOTINE!?" Scared the crap out of me! She said no battery, no liquid.
All I can think of to do, is to bring a disposable to see if they will let me bring that. I will probably be taking public transportation (parking is so expensive and I would pay it out of pocket and then wait for reimbursement--they won't validate parking!), so I can't keep it in my car. They warned me that my ecig could be confiscated by the guards, or they can refuse me entry! At least if it's a disposable, I would only be out about $10 which is what it would cost to buy a Blu.
Any suggestions? Anyone here familiar with this court? I don't know of any vapers in the Richmond area, but perhaps there is one here @ ECF? Anyone from Vapors Lounge maybe??

Thanks!

 

[LucentShadow]

I wouldn't mess with the court's rules. Trying a disposable seems like asking for trouble, unless they would be OK with just holding it for you, and you could retrieve it on any breaks and at the end of the day. May be worth asking about that.

I'd get some snus or Nicorette, or just some cigarettes (ack!)

 

[zapped]

Let the guards refuse you entry.Then youre out of jury duty.

Youre doing them a favor by being there NOT the other way around!Sounds like they've forgotten that.

 

[Iffy]

... or they can refuse me entry!

DING, DING! Sounds like a plan!!!

 

[Ferrel1134]

Lol if they won't let you in at least you tried.

 

[BlueSnake]

Let the guards refuse you entry.Then youre out of jury duty.

Youre doing them a favor by being there NOT the other way around!Sounds like they've forgotten that.

Doing them a favor? You're joking right? Jury duty is not a favor it's every citizens responsibility.

Why is it so hard for some people to accept there are lots of places that you don't have the right to do exactly as you please?

 

[Spazmelda]

How about snus in case they won't let you take an ecig at all?

 

[Iffy]

Why is it so hard for some LEOs to accept there are many citizens that would love to perform the highest duty (aka jury duty) a civilian can perform without frackin' hassles!

Go ahead and cuff me for editing your post!

Served on two trails, one a murder trial as jury foreman (OK, foreperson), without surrendering my PVs. Don't like my PVs, see ya later!

 

[Jessica PB]

slap on a nicotine patch or chew some nic gum? Most of the time if they call you in you will sit for a few hours then either be released or called in. Or scope out the local party stores to see where sells disposables and snag one at lunch! Good luck

 

[Horselady154]

Do yourself a favor and read the Juror's Bill of Rights BEFORE you go. The judge won't tell you about it.

In October, the Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia, asked at a Senate hearing about the role of juries in checking governmental power, seemed open to the notion that jurors “can ignore the law” if the law “is producing a terrible result.”

In other words, if you think the law is wrong, you can choose NOT GUILTY. You don't have to do what the Judge tells you to do when he gives you instructions before you go to deliberate and act like a little sheep.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/21/opinion/jurors-can-say-no.html?_r=0

This is an age-old method to fix bad laws.

You may not need it, but it's nice to know you have the option.

 

[Sheila Michele 1971]

In the current Jodi Arias trial, trial watchers have blogged about a juror who 'smokes the electronic cigarettes'
Not sure about your locations, but its been allowed in AZ.

Also, Im positive that courts see more people with electronics under every circumstance. Courts are usually on a bus line in cities and therefore should at least give those on juries the opportunity to pay a few cents for a locker or something.

 

[Litta'sGabby]

Thank you everyone! I actually would really like to be on a jury, but for now I just have to call every day for two weeks to see if they need me. I don't have to report on Monday. I have to call Monday after 6:00 pm to see if they need me Tuesday. This is how it's done where I live. I call like that for two weeks, and they may never use me. I was just worried about the total lack of nicotine! If I have to report, I will probably try the disposable with some nic gum just in case. They were very nice about it, and I would be totally open and honest with the guards if I bring in the disposable, and if they refuse me entry, I asked if I would be allowed to go outside and throw it away and they said I would! I can't analogs (I thought VERY hard about it, believe me!) because I don't know if they would allow a lighter or even matches! I'm allergic to the nic patches, so I think the gum might be my only option. Or take my car and pay at least $8 per day for parking vs. $3.00 round trip for the bus. If I get seated on a jury for a trial, we might have to talk about getting my eGo into the court somehow, though!

 

[zapped]

Doing them a favor? You're joking right? Jury duty is not a favor it's every citizens responsibility.

Why is it so hard for some people to accept there are lots of places that you don't have the right to do exactly as you please?

No Im not joking at all.They are asking you to perform a service.I doubt anyone said "Hey I feel like missing work today (and potentially for the next couple of weeks) just to earn 20 bucks a day......oh and lets not forget the crappy lunch thats even worse than school food.

No surprise at all why so many people try their best to get out of it. It has long since passed the point of being a duty and is now viewed as an onerous chore that we dread being called for.

I bet you think it's okay for telemarketers to call your house with a recorded message and ask you to hold too?

 

[Iffy]

I bet you think it's okay for telemarketers to call your house with a recorded message and ask you to hold too?

What does that have to do with jury duty?

Just don't b*tch here when ya don't like some of da verdicts that churns your stomach!!!

 

[Butters78]

I still think it's funny people actually show up to jury duty.

 

[BostLabs]

Doing them a favor? You're joking right? Jury duty is not a favor it's every citizens responsibility.

Why is it so hard for some people to accept there are lots of places that you don't have the right to do exactly as you please?

Probably will not be a popular response, but I agree with bluesnake. I've gone every time I've been summoned. Last two times I could not leave the jury pool area.

This is a duty U.S. citizens have and it's a right we we have to be tried with a jury of our peers. Yes it will be tough to get through the day but you can do it.

However electronic devices were not banned or confiscated at least as of last year. Of course I smoked then.

 

[StereoDreamer]

People who try to get out of Jury Duty re, IMO, acting in a manner that is bordering on treason...

Anytime I get n invitation to engage in the judicial process, I oblige them. I've never been called up for Jury Duty but any time I've got traffic ticket I GLADLY show up for that. I never miss a chance to stand before the BAR and toss my sabot into their gears.

As for criminal or civil cases in jury trial, you need to educate yourself of your rights as juror, because as previous post said, the Judge and Prosecutor will go out of their way to deny you access to this information.

Juror's Guide | Fully Informed Jury Association

 

[heroinesick]

I just got a mail about federal jury duty, of course of which I will respond and sit on the jury if asked too. I do believe in doing my civic duty, and I've been called two different times to do it, and I always go. I'm not sure about how the courts will be with electronics or my e-cigarette, but I'll gum it up if I have too. I bought some gum for flying on an airplane this last week, so I can do the same for court. As it turns out, I didn't even need the gum for my flight, I most likely won't need it in the court either. /nods

Just grab a small pack of nicotine gum. Use it if you're getting a little twitchy, and then vape your brains out when you get home. Good luck!

 

[darkstorm]

Cell phones and other electronics are banned from the courthouse because of their recording capabilities. I would ask the court if there is an exception for electronic medical devices. PVs are close enough in function to fit that general definition. Worth a try. You can also talk to the clerk and see if they can hold it for you so you can have access to it during breaks. As others have said other NRTs are available like the patch or gum or snus. Anything but buying a pack of cigarettes. I have been called for duty several times but never chosen to serve, think it would be a great experience.

Good luck!

 

[Litta'sGabby]

Great responses, all of them! I-personally-see it as my responsibility as an American to do this. I have never served in the military, and I am not a first responder. I do try to thank every military person I see for their service. I have made cupcakes on the anniversary of 9/11 and hand delivered them with my husband and granddaughter to our local police, fire and rescue stations! My biggest fear was going back to analogs because I couldn't bring my ecig. I am thinking it might just be cheaper for me to use the gum if I am called to serve. I know several people who have told me to try to get out of jury duty, mostly my co-workers. Except for the financial disaster is will create for my family (I won't get paid by my employer, just the pay the court gives me and any reimbursement for parking) I have told everyone that I really want to do this. We'll get by somehow (and thank goodness I have stocked up on ejuice so I won't need to buy any for a while) and I'll work with my nicotine addiction with the gum. I can understand why people feel that they shouldn't have to participate, and I respect their thoughts, it's just not my ideal. I appreciate everyone's comments here. I'll let you know how it goes. As of now, no need to report to the court on Monday, but there's always Tuesday... Gonna hold off on the gum for now, and I am fairly certain I won't by a pack of those analogs, though the thought of them today, for some reason, is really strong! I'm chain vaping this morning!!! But it's the dreaded week 3 for me (another reason I was so concerned about being nic free if called to serve!)