Joe Biden Called For Jury Duty

WILMINGTON, Del. — Joe Biden may be the nation's vice president, but that doesn't mean he can avoid fulfilling his civic duty.

Biden reported Monday morning for jury duty along with about 100 other people at the New Castle County courthouse after receiving a jury summons.

"I don't consider myself different than any other person," Biden told The News Journal of Wilmington, Del. "This is important ... It is an honor to be a part of the system."

Biden and several Secret Service agents waited with other prospective jurors in the jury assembly room. During a break, staffers and security poured in from a side door to consult with the vice president. Biden said he had to make several calls on a secure telephone during the break, including one to President Barack Obama.

Biden, along with other prospective jurors, was dismissed shortly after noon.

President Barack Obama has also been called for jury duty while in office. He was summoned for jury duty in suburban Chicago last January, but told the court that he wouldn't be able to make it.

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan reported to jury duty last week in District of Columbia Superior Court but was not called to serve on a case.

Comments

[Madison Lib]

08:17 AM on 01/25/2011

Pretty neat, this justice system we have! Now put this in perspective: Meg Whitman never voted before her failed run for CA governor because she didn't want to take the chance on having to fulfill this civic duty. Her $165 million bid didn't win the auction or the "Buy It Now" option.

[ZeraLee]

11:10 PM on 01/24/2011

The mere presence of someone that much in the public eye would turn any trial into a media circus. I don't think a fair trial would be possible.

[TidalShadow]

12:26 AM on 01/25/2011

Which is why they are dismissed as potential jurors.

[Madison Lib]

08:18 AM on 01/25/2011

A question they usually ask is "Do you have an opinion on this case?" In Biden's case, he always seem to have an opinion on everything! I love the guy.

[treadway123]

11:03 PM on 01/24/2011

They can call the V.P for Jury Duty, even the President! Yet, Clarence Thomas supreme court judge can cheat on his tax's an get a way with giveing a 7 page explanation that he didn't understand Americans tax code? Do we all remember Charlie Rangel?

[CJ40inWI]

05:59 PM on 01/24/2011

I was called for jury duty once..BUT I was in the Navy and in bootcamp. So I couldn't exactly GO.

But you can call the Vice President for Jury duty? Wow. learn something new.

[hottingers]

05:43 PM on 01/24/2011

I've been called for jury duty a number of times but have never been picked for a trial. Whenever they ask me if i'm related to anybody in law enforcement and I tell them I have a cousin that is a deputy sheriff', I am always excluded by the defense.

[AppleJuiceJunkie316]

04:22 PM on 01/24/2011

Jury duty is a BFD.

[VPN]

04:25 PM on 01/24/2011

Was thinking the same thing, bet it would be fun to serve on the same jury with the VP.

[SparkyDash]

09:03 PM on 01/24/2011

Indeed :)

[Marla Turner]

04:22 PM on 01/24/2011

Good for him. Every American citizen should serve on a jury at least once in their lifetime.

[blytzd]

04:16 PM on 01/24/2011

"I don't consider myself different than any other person," Biden told The News Journal of Wilmington, Del. "This is important ... It is an honor to be a part of the system."

You are dfifferent because you are the VP and how much $ did you waste in this showboating to make you seem like the rest of us? Just call it in like Obama likely did with an excuse of "protecting the free world" (from itself).

[GoodRead]

03:58 PM on 01/24/2011

Rahm is not a resident of Chicago, but Biden can serve on a Delware jury?

[MED1025]

05:31 PM on 01/24/2011

Obama can be called for jury duty in Chicago while residing in the White House. BTW - Rahm and Obama voted in Illinois during the midterms, how are they allowed to vote there if they are not residents?

[breakingpoint]

03:53 PM on 01/24/2011

I bet Obama pulled some strings to have him called

[ArjenBoatsma]

04:48 PM on 01/24/2011

When Obama's name came up for jury duty, I guess the Chicago Court was satisfied with Mr. Obama's claim of citizenship.

[MED1025]

05:32 PM on 01/24/2011

and residency.

[breakingpoint]

08:28 PM on 01/24/2011

you so missed the joke

[OpposingViewpoint]

03:41 PM on 01/24/2011

Jury duty is the only employment remaining in some areas of the country.

[OpposingViewpoint]

03:38 PM on 01/24/2011

S**t, this is a big F**k*in deal. :>) What say you Joe?

[Glenda Sitnek]

03:36 PM on 01/24/2011

That's our Joe.. when duty calls......

[Adrian31]

03:36 PM on 01/24/2011

He'll be just as constructive a member of the jury as that dog in Boston who was summoned for duty.

[VPN]

04:28 PM on 01/24/2011

Who you talking about Boo$h?