Obama called for jury duty in Illinois

[uppityperson]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010882925_jury25.html

If Cook County, Ill., had had its druthers, President Obama would have shown up today for jury duty. But court officials were told several weeks ago the prospect was a no-go, a White House official said Sunday. The jury summons showed up at the president's home on the South Side of Chicago.

Obama, a 1991 graduate of Harvard Law School, president of its law review and later a professor at the University of Chicago Law School, would have been bound for the courthouse in suburban Bridgeview had he not been otherwise busy.

With his first State of the Union speech on tap Wednesday, it's a busy week for the president — though not strictly business. His official schedule Monday calls for a meet-and-greet with the Los Angeles Lakers, the reigning NBA champions. A White House official said players will be joined by the coaches, team staffers, NBA officials and former Laker greats.

Then, no doubt, it's back to business.

[blondeatlast]

1. Pretty sure that his law school qualies would be get him booted during voir dire. nt

[saracat]

4. Not necessarily. In Arizona they often have lawyers on the juries

In NY. they would disqualify them but most states have no rule against them serving!

[FarCenter]

2. Would the lawyers representing the parties ever allow a lawyer as a juror

Seems like a cinch for removal by peremptory challenge.

[blondeatlast]

6. Taht's what I was thinking. nt

[dems_rightnow]

7. Never

No lawyers ever.

But it would have been really fun if he had shown up.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. I think that Chicago would have to underwrite some of the security costs.

Much better off if the President stays in DC for now.

[KharmaTrain]

5. His Job Makes Him Exempt...

He's considered "critical" for the performance of the government...and while his name was called, I'm sure this matter has already been settled. It's the same for any civil servant such as police officer or firefighter. Not sure if the laws in Illinois has changed but this exmemption also worked for those in other businesses where the jury duty would cause "hardship" if the person wasn't on the job. I was able to use this to get out of duty 25 years ago since my job fell under their guidelines.

But that surely won't stop the right wing hate machine and those on the left who seem to share common cause these days to make a stink. Another day, another poutrage...