Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Kokua Line
Question: I received a jury selection summons. They tell you to call 24 hours prior to check if your grouping is supposed to show up at the specified date and time. I have had no problems with this in the past. For this current summons, I cleared my calendar for the date and found a day-care provider for my newborn baby. Upon calling, I found out that my date was postponed a couple of days. That caused a problem because in order to make the first date, I canceled an appointment. I had also agreed to assist at my child's school, so they had to look for a replacement. How often can the court postpone jury selection? I find it unrealistic for them to think that the public can juggle around their schedule and just keep rescheduling. What can we do if we are unable to make the second date? The first date was fine, the second, OK, but if it keeps happening, it's a problem. OK for court to
postpone jury selectionAnswer: In your case, you probably would have been excused from serving in the first place.
As explained on the summons form, persons who may be excused from jury duty include primary caregivers, such as mothers or fathers of infants and toddlers, said Freida Baker, jury clerk supervisor for the state Judiciary.
But in answer to your question: A court can postpone or continue a case as often as it feels is necessary to ensure a fair and timely trial, she said. Postponement isn't done "without good cause," she added, and usually is granted at the request of the parties involved.
More relevant, Baker said, is how long a person is expected to serve as a prospective juror following a first postponement.
"Normally, a person's jury service period will be canceled after one week of "no activity,' " she said. "On rare occasions, jury service may be extended or postponed for a second week."
If any prospective juror is unable to serve on a subsequent date, he or she is told to call the jury pool office to discuss the situation. On Oahu, the number is 539-4360.
Q: I would like more information on a company which claims to be a member of Hawaii's Better Business Bureau. I would like to know if there have been any complaints, problems, etc. about this company. Can you send me an email address of who might be able to answer some questions?
A: Call the BBB at 536-6956 or email your question to info@hawaii.bbb.org. The BBB has a slew of information on companies and scams, plus other consumer tips and advice.
You can also join its Customer Care Connection program. For a $25 annual membership fee, you will receive a monthly newsletter on the latest scams, consumer advisories, government action, etc.; an annual guide to charities; scam alerts; counseling pamphlets; hot-line access to BBB services; invitations to seminars and other members-only events.
Auwe
To the couple riding a black motorcycle down Punahou Street on the evening of Sept. 16. You crossed a solid line and made an illegal lane change in the middle of the intersection at Punahou and Beretania, then proceeded to slow down to 10 mph. I had to slam on my brakes in order to avoid you and then honked my horn. You were quick to give me the "finger," then made a complete stop in the middle of the road by Gas Express, holding up traffic just so you could give us the "stink eye." Normally, I would just forget about it and let it go, but I'm a biker myself, and people like you give the rest of us a bad image. Learn a little aloha before you go on the road again. -- Rod
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com