LETTER: So you think you’re the only one having a hard time getting out of Jury Duty? You’re not alone. Lakewood Police Chief Rob Lawson had a hard time himself – despite his round-the-clock duties as Police Chief and OEM Coordinator.
When the Chief received his first notice in the mail about Jury Duty, he was excused after penning a letter to the Court about his many duties for the town during the Jewish Holiday season, during which the Duty was to take place.
About five months later, the Chief tells TLS he got a second Jury Duty summons in the mail. Again the Chief penned a letter requesting to be excused due to another hardship. He was again excused.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
Several months ago, the Chief again got a Jury Duty summons. This time, the Chief indicated that being a Police Chief and Coordinator for the Emergency Management of Lakewood, his absence may jeopardize the safety of the community.
But guess what? That didn’t help and the Chief was denied his request, and down to Jury Duty he went.
The Chief was ultimately excused though when he said as a juror he could not be impartial regarding the case which was a field he was familiar with. TLS.
Chief Lawson has brought leadership to the LPD. He is a caring person for all residents of Lakewood.
We should all honor his commitment to Lakewood.
We all have responsibilities we can try to get off jury duty with. Some bigger than others. Serving jury duty is a responsibility we should all serve.
I got out of just duty just told them I had strep never heard from them again
to #3 you will hear from them in a few years. It happend to me
I move often enough that the letters always go to my old address
its so not a big deal to go down there….if u dont wanna be chosen as a juror, u basically just give any silly reason and they let u off, and if u do wanna be chosen, u just tell them exactly what they wanna hear….its such a ridiculous system in my opinion
I got out of jury and never heard from them again. I am not saying how exactly, but something to the effect that I was unfit to serve because of my prejudices.
why does everyone try to get out of it? its a privilege and a duty, as an American wouldn’t you want a real working person to be on the jury if you were being tried, and not just some guy who has nothing better to do? why would you want to give up that power so easily just cause its inconvenient? when i was called i went down and waited, ultimately they had enough people before they got to my number but i would have happily served and happily forgo the wages I’d loose in the process. living free in America requires sacrifice, and if you don’t think so you will loose all your freedoms
What does the Jewish holiday season have to do with anything?
Thank u chief for all that you do.
Thank you chief for everything you do on behalf of the community.
Your censorship is unreal and you should be embarrassed
I know a FEDERAL Judge who recently had to go for Jury Duty. He had to put “his own” Jury Trial.