Current mood: amused

The day before Christmas Eve (23 December 2011), I received a jury summons in the mail. Here’s most of the questionnaire that was included.

Page 1 of the questionnaire —

1. Do you want to be paid for your mileage from your home to the courthouse? [X] Yes [ ] No

2. Are you employed by the public schools, local government or the State of New Mexico? [ ] Yes [X] No

3. Of which New Mexico county are you a resident? Bernalillo

4. Are you a United States Citizen? [X] Yes [ ] No

5. Do you read, speak and understand English? [X] Yes [ ] No

6. In the past 3 years, were you summoned for jury duty? [ ] Yes [X] No

7. Have you ever been convicted of a felony? [ ] Yes [X] No

Page 2 of the questionnaire —

1. Name: Michael Blessing

2. Gender: [X] Male [ ] Female

3. Date of Birth:  02 / xx / 1971 : Birth place (city and state; country if outside U.S.):  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

4. How long have you lived in New Mexico?  17 years

5. In which New Mexico county do you live?  Bernalillo  How long?  17 years

6. What town / city do you live in?  Albuquerque  Neighborhood?  Ladera Heights
   What major intersection is closest to your home?  Coors and St. Josephs NW

7. Where else have you lived (city, state, country)?  Philadelphia, PA, USA

8. What is your martial status: [X] Single [ ] Married [ ] Separated [ ] Divorced [ ] Widowed

9. What is your ethnic background?  Polish / German

10. Your home:  do you [ ] own [X] rent?

11. Your occupation:  retail
    (If retired or unemployed, please state, and also state your previous occupation.)

12. If employed please state
    Name of employer and place of work:  Burlington Coat Factory – Albuquerque NM
    Job title and duties:  Loss Prevention Associate Time worked there?  6 years
    Normal working hours:  1 – 10 PM How many hours per week do you work?  15 – 20

13. Do you have a second job? [] Yes [X] No

14. What other jobs have you had as an adult?  Security Officer, retail, office temp

15. How many years of schooling do you have?  15 +
    Highest level completed? [X] High School / GED [ ] Associates [ ] Bachelor [ ] Master [ ] Ph.D. [ ] M.D. [ ] J.D.
    Major areas of study:  Photonics / astrophysics

16. Have you served in the military? [X] Yes [ ] No   Highest rank?  E-4 Specialist in Army Reserve / National Guard

17. Do you belong to or participate in any religious, civic, social, union, professional, fraternal, political, or recreational organizations?
    [X] Yes [ ] No Organzation:  Libertarian Party : Office held?  State Chair

18. Current voter registration:          Democrat        Republican        Not registered        No party selected
    Other, please specify:  Libertarian

19. If you are married, please provide spouse’s full name:                          and spouse’s occupation:                         

20. Do you have any children or step children? [ ] Yes [X] No

21. Have you ever been a witness in a court proceeding? [X] Yes [ ] No If yes, was it a: [X] civil [X] criminal case?
    What were the circumstances?  Shoplifting / malicious prosecution (CV-2009-12562)

22. Have you ever served as a juror? [ ] Yes [X] No

23. Have you ever had an injury that required hospitalization or extended medical care? [X] Yes [ ] No
    If yes, what was the injury?  Broke my arm at age 5 /6
    Did the injury cause you to lose time from work? [ ] Yes [X] No

24. Have you or any member of your family ever filed a civil suit gainst anyone?: [X] Yes [ ] No
    If yes, please explain:  Counter-suit in CV-2009-12562

25. Have you or any member of your family ever been sued? [X] Yes [ ] No
    If yes, please explain:  Traffic accident (1996) / malicious prosecution (CV-2009-12562)

26. Have you or an immediate family member ever been an agent, employee or representative of an insurance company? [ ] Yes [X] No

27. Have you or any member of your immediate family been the victim of a crime? [X] Yes [ ] No
    If yes, who was the victim?  Me  What crime?  Assault and battery / credit card fraud
    When?  12/2010, 2003  Was an arrest made?  [ ] Yes [X] No

28. Have you or an immediate family member been a defendant in a criminal case? [X] Yes [ ] No
    If yes, who and relationship to you:  Me
    Crime accused of committing:  Unlicensed CCW   Was there a conviction? [ ] Yes [X] No

29. Have you, any family member or close friend ever been employed or volunteered for any federal, state or local law enforcement agency or a jail, prison or detention center? [ ] Yes [X] No

30. Have you, any family member or close friend ever worked for a district attorney or other prosecuting Attorney’s office? [X] Yes [ ] No
    If yes, who?  [Redacted – MWB]  Relationship to you?  friend / professor at CNM  
    Position held  Assistant district attorney  Dates of employment  Unknown
    Name of attorney and office  2nd Judicial District – Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office

31. Have you or any family member ever worked for any other attorney? [ ] Yes [X] No

32. Have you or any family member ever been represented by an attorney or law office? [X] Yes [ ] No
    If yes, name of attorney and office  [Redacted – MWB] (CV-2009-12562)

33. Do you have a physical disability of which we need to be aware? [ ] Yes [X] No

34. Are you presently taking any medication which may affect your ability to serve as a juror? [ ] Yes [X] No

35. Is there any reason you could not serve as a juror? [ ] Yes [X] No

36. Use this space for any additional comments:  I understand that I have the right and duty to judge the law as well as the facts of the case.