Jury Doody

Last year my family moved from Baltimore City to Baltimore County. When we were looking for a new home we preferred a home in Baltimore County over Baltimore City.

Baltimore is somewhat unique, I think, in that the City and County are completely separate entities. For example in Philadelphia, the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia County are one and the same. In New York, NY County is part of New York City. But in Baltimore they are completely different.

One of the disadvantages of Baltimore City is that most City residents must report for Jury Duty. Based on the demographics of the city and the high crime rate, this means that those who qualify to serve are summoned around once per year. There are few exemptions.

The experience of Jury Duty is very aggravating, demeaning, and uncomfortable. Perspective Jurors must report to the Clarence Mitchell, Jr. courthouse in downtown Baltimore City. The building itself is old and dingy. Perspective Jurors must go through a standard security inspection when entering the building. Then they must wait in one of several crowded and dirty rooms, until they are called. The City has the audacity to pay you $15 for your day of service. Fifteen bucks. Parking costs 12 dollars in the discounted lot. It is embarrassing.

Sometimes you are never called the whole day. Sometimes you are called and are not selected for a Jury. Sometimes you are selected for a jury. This is the worst possible outcome. If you are not selected, you go home for the day. If you are selected, who knows?

So the guy that bought my old house also is a regular attendee at my Daf Yomi Shiur. (Nice guy by the way. I still feel bad that the transaction was a little contentious. I guess that is how these things go) Recently he brought me a summons from the City of Baltimore to report for Jury Duty. Here is the letter that I wrote to the Jury Commissioner.

June 20, 2008

Jury Commissioner's Office100 North Calvert Street, Room 239Baltimore, MD 21202

Re: Jury Summons XXXXXXXX-XXX

Hello:

I received the Jury Summons referenced above. However, I moved out of Baltimore City to Baltimore County. Therefore, I no longer qualify to sit as a juror in Baltimore City.

I am a little confused, since on your website it states that the information for Jurors is pulled from the Motor/Voter records. My new address and County have been updated for almost a full year with both the MVA and the Elections Board. I don’t understand why your records did not get updated.

Please find enclosed the original summons received and a copy of my Driver’s License, with the associated attachment showing my new address in Baltimore County.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.



Josh...