DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there any way to put my name on a list for potential jurors? I had the privilege 24 years ago and served on a few juries, but never any since.

Thank you for answering; I truly appreciate your help. — Debby, garciasgirl2002@aol.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots would have guessed the answer was no, you couldn’t volunteer, which appears to be the case for federal courts, but she would have been wrong, at least sort of, when it comes to Maine.

For U.S. courts, Sun Spots found this statement — or something similar — at several U.S. district court websites:

“The pool of jurors is randomly selected by computer and accepting volunteers would compromise the random selection. However, if you are already a member of a juror pool and are generally available, the jury clerks welcome your willingness to serve and would appreciate you letting them know.”

For Maine courts she found:

“The superior court in each county maintains a source list, which is used for the random selection of prospective jurors. Names are placed on the list from three sources:

“1. The lists of licensed drivers,

“2. Persons issued an identification card by the secretary of state, and

“3. Persons who notify the clerk of the superior court in the county of their residence and who request to have their name placed on the source list of prospective jurors.”

So you can volunteer to be put in the pool, but you must still be randomly selected and cannot ask for a particular trial.

You can find the list of courts and their contact information at www.courts.state.me.us/maine_courts/superior/directory.shtml.

Sun Spots shares your enthusiasm. Last year she was called for one of two possible trials: a murder charge and a personal injury case. She really wanted to be on the former, but the judge nixed that because Sun Spots works at a newspaper.

However, she was selected for the personal injury case and as forewoman! Anticipation was great, but the case was settled out of court the day before the trial was to start. Very disappointing. 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the June 28 query from the woman asking for help for her grandson, who is soon to be released from prison, I am the inmate advocate who wrote several years ago about the work we do helping inmates leaving prison or jail.

I would be happy to help this woman if she gives me a call. We are fortunate to have the support of volunteers and churches who collect hygiene items, food, clothing and shoes. Clinical appointments for medical and psychiatric care can be made before inmates are released.

Cell to Street is the name of our community re-entry program. We welcome calls for any donations. — Calvin E. Dube, community inmate advocate, P.O. Box 631, Lewiston, ME 04243, 402-4430

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Re the problems noted with television picture size while watching WCSH Channel 6 in the July 17 column, the original remote that comes with the TV should have a button that says something like “p. size” or an icon showing two intersected boxes, one a square and the other a rectangle, something like that.

All the reader has to do is to keep hitting this button until she gets the picture size that works for that station. It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally, like when hubby is watching MLB, the scores won’t show, or only the bottom of the score box is visible, so we use this option.

Another option is Zoom/Move. You can use the arrows to nudge the picture up or down. Hope this helps. — L. via email

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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