Judging Karren

[Karren H]

I love that show.......Judging Amy.... But this post isn't about that!

I got a letter in the mail.....jury duty!! End of the month!! And of coarse the first thought I had was......wonder if the Court House has a unisex restroom? Hehehe.

But I also wondered how many other girls have been called to serve on a jury and did you crossdress or partially crossdress while in court?

And I know its my duty and an honor to serve but wonder also if anyones been excused from jury duty because of crossdressing?

Or is crossdressing in the Court Room considered contempt of court??

It did say wear appropriate attire!! Skirt and blouse, low heels sound appropriate? Hehehe. What do you think?

Love Karren

[Jodie_Lynn]

hmmmmm was it during the Michael Jackson trial that a female juror showed up in a star trek uniform?

As long as your attire is appropriate, and you are in character, I don't THINK there would be a problem....

But remember: each judge is different, and may take offense, despite the fact that he or she is wearing a black dress..........

[Lindsay Marie]

If you're too worried about just find a bias reason why you can't do it. I use the excuse of being a Firefighter/EMT because it seems when I get mine in the mail it's usually about the time someone is coming up on arson charges or a nice assault and battery case, and therefore I can't fairly judge that person.n Works every time

[Daizy Chains]

It depends on who was called to serve?

[susandrea]

hmmmmm was it during the Michael Jackson trial that a female juror showed up in a star trek uniform?

As long as your attire is appropriate, and you are in character, I don't THINK there would be a problem....

But remember: each judge is different, and may take offense, despite the fact that he or she is wearing a black dress..........

I'm pretty sure that was during a case for Hilary Clinton/Whitewater Scandal. The thing is, that woman wore her Trek stuff all the time. She worked at the Post Office and had everyone call her 'Commander' so-and-so. So she didn't do it just to get out of a brutally long and boring trial (and therefore wasn't charged with contempt, I believe-- not sure).

Anyway, Karren, I bet if you proved that you dressed often in your private life and it was a part of your regular self (as it is!) then they couldn't say you were in contempt. In any case, you could always call ahead and check. And ask to speak to someone higher up than the dest clerk.

Good luck! Hey, maybe it'll be a Transgender Rights case!

EDIT:

Here's the Trekkie story. I was a bit off an a few things, but it is interesting. They actually let her go not because of the outfit, but:

http://www.cnn.com/US/fringe/9603/03-14/trek.html

[tekla west]

You are kidding right?

[Karren H]

If you're too worried about just find a bias reason why you can't do it. I use the excuse of being a Firefighter/EMT because it seems when I get mine in the mail it's usually about the time someone is coming up on arson charges or a nice assault and battery case, and therefore I can't fairly judge that person.n Works every time

Actually I'm looking forward to serving!! And if I schedule my time correctly I may be able to append an enfemme outting to one or more of the days I'm schedules to be there!!

Love Karren

[linnea]

"Appropriate attire" does not necessarily mean "gender specific attire," though some might interpret the phrase that way. However, that interpretation would lead to questions regarding pants on women, etc. My lay-person's guess is that your wearing a skirt and top and "sensible" shoes would not be inappropriate as long as you aren't attempting to deceive anyone by doing so (i.e., you aren't trying to conceal your legal identity).
I can see all kinds of interesting issues arising from this, but it might be more trouble than it is worth.
I did some searching on the internet (Google, etc.) to see if I could find a case or some criteria for jury selection/participation that related to a crossdresser on the jury, but I came up with nothing. With more searching, I might dredge something up.
Though I know you only through this site, my guess would be that you have the moxie to do it. However, you would be placing yourself in a potentially compromising position, maybe more so than you would want to be.
If I were in your situation, I think that I would go in drab.

[Phoebe Reece]

Karren, whatever you do, I think it would not be wise to do any lunchbreak quick changes in the restroom at the court house.

[Karren H]

Karren, whatever you do, I think it would not be wise to do any lunchbreak quick changes in the restroom at the court house.

Guess that depends if there's a unisex restroom!! I may need to check this out before hand!! Plan the work and work the plan!! In any case I will appear to be in drab to anyone else in the jury pool.....but that doesn't mean that I have to stay that way if we are dismissed early!!

Karren

[Joy Carter]

Uh Karren it will be up to the judge what HE determines appropriate. If he took offense and feels you would be distraction then he could deal with you in a way you might not like. Like have a policeman escort you home to change. I know so many judges hate it when someone gives a weak excuse to not serve. I know that is not your aim but please don't push it.

[Kimkandy]

Or is crossdressing in the Court Room considered contempt of court??

Don't know, but in England the Judges wear wigs and gowns... so it should be to wear a wig and a dress

Kim

take that you nasty criminal

[Country girl]

Karren, you definately have the moxie to show up enfemme, :cheeky: but having served more than once I'm willing to bet that if you did they would dismiss you as a potential juror just because of their discriminations. Too many people don't [or aren't willing to] understand the whole crossdressing persona. Instead of viewing it as harmless, which it is, the general public see the CDing society as a bunch of freaks. It is so sad that more people aren't educated AND accepting. We could all have so much more fun if society would just relax a little. But I think for now,if you are really interested in serving, you will have to go in drab. What ever you decide, have fun with it, as I know you will!

[Tina Dixon]

Hey I just want to see some bathroom shots, I dare you, heck I even double dare you

[Country girl]

Hey I just want to see some bathroom shots, I dare you, heck I even double dare you

Hey Tina, I thought about daring Karren, but knowing her, she'd take that dare!

[great gg]

Hey I just want to see some bathroom shots, I dare you, heck I even double dare you

you are a can't you just see Karen doing it? Nahh, it would take too long to decide which wig to wear! is there a jury wig in the house?

[Julogden]

I love that show.......Judging Amy.... But this post isn't about that!

I got a letter in the mail.....jury duty!! End of the month!! And of coarse the first thought I had was......wonder if the Court House has a unisex restroom? Hehehe.

But I also wondered how many other girls have been called to serve on a jury and did you crossdress or partially crossdress while in court?

And I know its my duty and an honor to serve but wonder also if anyones been excused from jury duty because of crossdressing?

Or is crossdressing in the Court Room considered contempt of court??

It did say wear appropriate attire!! Skirt and blouse, low heels sound appropriate? Hehehe. What do you think?

Love Karren

Hi Karren,

I had to go to court in downtown Chicago a week ago for jury duty, male mode, didn't get picked. The lawyers for both sides ask a bunch of questions and then pick the people that they want, so it would depend on the lawyers being open-minded I guess.

We have laws at the city, county and state levels here prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity, but proving that you weren't picked due to being TG would probably be hard to prove.

Carol

[DeeInGeorgia]

At the beginning of the year, I was called for Jury duty. All I did was underdress, but I did observe from the point of view about passing on what I could learn. I wrote up a short article in my local Tri-Ess group newsletter.

Basically, for the county I lived in, the first day of Jury duty, the Jury room was crowded, with small restrooms. The first day, at the first break, there was a very long line waiting to get into the women's restroom.

You also will be outed. You will be identified at all times by your legal name, regardless of how you are dressed or are presenting. You will be answering questions presented to you by both attorneys as well as the judge.

A lawyer later told me that there is no problem reporting for Jury Duty enfemme, that you cannot be cited you for contempt of court.

But I am not a lawyer, so get your own information.

One other thing, The first few times, participating in the Jury process is enjoyable. But if you get on a criminal trial, you will really learn about diversity, as a person's life is in the hands of the jury, you, and you will get to learn about fellow jurors beliefs and predjudices and more.

Dee

[joanlynn28]

Humm, this is a topic that I have been thinking about myself. If I get called to jury duty who is going to show up John or Joan. I think I already know the answer, since my driver' license has Joan Lynn on it Joan will be the one to report to jury duty. No matter what name is one my voter registration form. But I have been tempted to register as Joan despite not having my name legally changed yet. I know that it is perjury but even the County Registrar of Voters admits that they don't check to validate voter registration and no one is his memory has ever been prosecuted for intentionally registering when they are not elligible to vote.

[GG Vanya]

I was called for jury duty a few weeks ago. I shared the story with a few here. It was a horrific ordeal. The case was a double homicide which carried the possibility of the dealth penalty and the jury would be sequestered. After 4 grueling days I was excused thank God!

I *never* want to be summoned again! The accused is treated better than the prospective jurors.

I followed the case with interest however and he was found guilty and given life instead of death.

[trannie T]

I've always been well behaved in courtrooms. The judge is in total command and may regard a man in a dress as being contemptous of his court and authority. If he decides you are in contempt you could be taken to jail and put in a cell with a big horny guy named 'Bubba.'

[SherriePall]

Karren -- I served on a federal jury before 911 and security was tight even then. So, keep in mind they'll search bags, etc. And that underwire may set off the detector.

[Kate Simmons]

Don't "push the envelope" on this one Karr or challenge the system. Just bow out and let MR. Engineer do his civic duty. I'm just being pragmatic here. Ericka/Rich

[Karren H]

Karren -- I served on a federal jury before 911 and security was tight even then. So, keep in mind they'll search bags, etc. And that underwire may set off the detector.

Good point Sherrie....I guess my travel tote with a couple breast forms in it my look too much like plactic explosives to the local yocals? Hehe. "Hit the dirt......she's got a bomb.......I'm mean a boob!!

Don't "push the envelope" on this one Karr or challenge the system. Just bow out and let MR. Engineer do his civic duty. I'm just being pragmatic here. Ericka/Rich

Mr Engineer is sooo boreing!! But if I'm allowed to bring my Blackberry at least I can post here!! And there's a Goodwill store just down the block so at lunch I can do some shopping! And I'm getting paid like $7 a day!!

The stint is only a week long unless your selected for a trial.. So I get to sit there with 200 of my fellow citizens and wait!!! Waiting is more fun iin a dress than slacks anyday!!! But I guess I'll behave........this time!!



Love Karren

[JeanneF]

I had jury duty last month. I went in guy mode, but I don't see any problem with going in girl mode. Your normal style would be appropriate for jury duty, imo. You're passable enough that it probably won't raise any ire, and if they comment, say you're TS.

But, like others said, you will be referred to by your legal name, regardless of how you're dressed.