MetaChat - Brooklyn jury summons emergency!

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12 February 2009

Brooklyn jury summons emergency! I wanted to post this on AskMe, but I used my question up for this week.→[More:]

My wife and I live in a large apartment building, and the mail is constantly getting delivered to the wrong apartment. Today, one of our neighbors stuck an old letter for us in our mailbox. It must have come to him/her by mistake.

It's a jury summons for my wife. She was supposed to appear a week ago! We're scared, because it says failure to appear or call could mean jail time or a huge fine.

She and I have both been trying to call the court. It's impossible to speak to a human. They have a message that says to call back during hours, but it IS during hours. Then there's a beep to leave a message, but their mailbox is full.

She's a long way away from the court house, at work, or she'd go in person.

Does anyone know an alternate number -- some way we could speak to any human in the Brooklyn court system? Thanks!

post by: grumblebee at: 12:49 | 12 comments

I don't know any other way to contact the Brooklyn courts other than going there, but I do want to reassure you that if they jailed every Brooklynite who ignored a jury summons there wouldn't be anyone left to serve on juries.

She should just go down there when she has a chance and explain what happened. It's highly unlikely to be a big deal.

posted by dersins 12 February | 12:59

Thanks for the reassurance.

posted by grumblebee 12 February | 13:05

Is it a summons to a particular court in Brooklyn? I might be able to help with some numbers if you're still freaking out.

But I agree that she should not worry too much -- it's an honest mistake and the Courts do understand honest mistakes.

posted by Lassie 12 February | 13:51

Lassie, I'm glad you also think it's not a huge deal, but it would be awesome to actually get someone from the court on the phone!

It's the Kings County Supreme Court on Adams Street.

posted by grumblebee 12 February | 13:53

I take it you're trying the 404-9798 number? Try the Kings County Clerk if you haven't already -- 404-9760. If you get a hold of a real person, explain the problem with the Juror's number first, or they'll probably tell you to call that number again and then hang up on you.

posted by Lassie 12 February | 14:04

I believe I tried both those numbers. I'll try them again.

posted by grumblebee 12 February | 14:05

Yeah. First number says "Please call back during working hours," even though it is working hours (and it doesn't let you leave a message). The second number just rings and rings. I have let it ring over 100 times. No one picks up.

This is giving me such faith in our court system.

posted by grumblebee 12 February | 14:09

Email me off-list, if you'd like. Email in profile.

posted by Lassie 12 February | 14:26

Thanks. I sent you an email.

posted by grumblebee 12 February | 14:35

Can the courts really do anything if they simply mail something without requiring a signature or receipt?

posted by Ardiril 12 February | 17:49

So, just to continue the story, it's Lincoln's Birthday today and the courts are closed. Duh!

posted by grumblebee 12 February | 18:32

I came back from London to find out I was summoned for jury duty the day before I returned. I called them (Manhattan), explained the matter and was bumped up to April. No big deal.

posted by brujita 12 February | 18:52

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