Jury duty

[matefrio]

During voir dire in a family court case I was picked for they asked "Anyone have problems putting a child with a interracial couple, specifically with a black dad and a white mom?" Not one hand.

Then they asked "Anyone have problems putting a child with a Mormon mom and dad?" and 15 people of the 60ish they had in there raised their hands saying they couldn't put a child in the care of a Mormon parent.

Didn't bias me in any way as I know good and bad "Mormon" parents.

Pissed me off that so many of those folks think strongly enough to raise their hand that being Mormon disqualifies me as a good parent.

 

[zincwarrior]

During voir dire in a family court case I was picked for they asked "Anyone have problems putting a child with a interracial couple, specifically with a black dad and a white mom?" Not one hand.

Then they asked "Anyone have problems putting a child with a Mormon mom and dad?" and 15 people of the 60ish they had in there raised their hands saying they couldn't put a child in the care of a Mormon parent.

Didn't bias me in any way as I know good and bad "Mormon" parents.

Pissed me off that so many of those folks think strongly enough to raise their hand that being Mormon disqualifies me as a good parent.

At least they were being honest.

 

[General Zod]

I've never been called. Ever. I don't think I ever will.

Same here. At this point I think it's pretty weird that I haven't been called...

 

[TexasBrandon]

I haven't been called yet either, would be a welcome change from work though.

 

[BigDBasser]

Been called for and served on juries. Biggest pain were some of the other jurors. Was foreman on a drug case where the man was caught with close to a million dollars worth of Meth, all the equipment to weigh, and bag up the dope. Defense didn't even put on a case. Just rested when it was their time. One Lady would only vote guilty on possession of a controlled substance. Duh

 

[Recoil45]

I've only been called once and did my best to answer questions in a way as to get on the case. I did and felt I made a difference in the outcome. It was worth it.

 

[jamespoole]

Been called several times, but never selected. I feel that jury duty is an important civic duty. What many people do not know is a jury has the power to nullify unjust laws, or laws they perceive to be unjust. With that being said, it would be interesting to see that happen....


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[benenglish]

Evidently the truth is a defense to having to serve on a jury.

It's worked during every voir dire I've ever witnessed.

 

[benenglish]

What does bother me is when the judge and/or attorneys instruct the panelists (or prospective panelists) what they are allowed to think about.

Jurors get to decide who is credible to them. If they think someone is lying to them, they can act accordingly. It's their duty to make that judgement about every single person who says a word in the courtroom. That includes the judge.

Sometimes, I think people forget that.

 

[benenglish]

What many people do not know is a jury has the power to nullify unjust laws, or laws they perceive to be unjust.

During voir dire, I once saw the prosecutor bring up the concept of nullification. That was pretty jaw-dropping.

The case was an aggravated sexual assault. The defendant looked to be a teenager. The prosecution sort of mentioned in passing that the "aggravated" part of the sexual assault was due to the age of the victim who could not give consent.

One lady interrupted and asked a question. She explained that she was a middle school teacher and she was surprised that anyone under 14 could not consent to sex. After all, she knew tweenagers who gave each other reasonably informed consent to engage in sexual acts, in her words, "all the time."

The prosecutor said that was not possible and went on to other topics.

She was interrupted again. Another middle school teacher was on the panel and was pretty clear. "If you don't think 12-year-olds are having sex and knowing full well what they're doing, you should visit my school. Let me tell you, it happens all the..."

At that point, the prosecutor interrupted. She went on a lengthy, foot-stamping rant about how we weren't allowed to use our personal experience to rule in a way the law didn't allow. It didn't matter what we knew, we had to follow the law. To do otherwise was called nullification. (Yes, it was the prosecutor who first used that word.) She then went on and on about how jury nullification was evil.

Finally, she calmed down and asked the teacher if she understood. The teacher said "Yes, I understand. But you sure don't know much about kids these days, do you?"

The defense attorney just sat silently and listened to the whole thing. I don't think I've ever in my life seen a man smile more broadly for as long as he did.

 

[TwinGlocks]

I was once asked if I trust the police and I laughed. Excused.........

 

[Texasjack]

I've only been selected for 2 juries, and both times there were serious crimes committed. I have to say I really enjoyed serving and I think that both of those juries went out of their way to look at all possible angles and make the best decisions possible. It was nothing like the juries you see on TV.

There were 2 cases where I made it to voir dire and was not selected. In both cases I PRAYED not to be selected! The first was about a lawyer who got nailed on a DUI. Because he could lose his license if convicted, his whole law firm showed up to defend him. The prosecutors despised him (he was an obnoxious s**t), so they also turned out in force. Voir dire took ALL DAY. Neither side could say 2 sentences without the other side objecting. Oh, and some idiot showed up for jury duty wearing shorts. He got a very special lecture from the judge. She had the cops take him home, let him change pants, then brought him back and made him sit through the entire trial as punishment. The other case was a guy who allegedly molested a crippled kid in a wheelchair. It was such a sleazy case that nobody wanted to sit through it.

 

[zincwarrior]

Oh, and some idiot showed up for jury duty wearing shorts. He got a very special lecture from the judge. She had the cops take him home, let him change pants, then brought him back and made him sit through the entire trial as punishment.

Thats one thing that chaps me about the jury system. Why do they care? This show that rooms are these sacred places is a joke. If you don't like what I wear, don't pick me for your party.

 

[coachrick]

Wow...that 'no shorts' policy in the middle of July!!??!! I'm gonna have to find some long pants, I reckon

 

[mitchntx]

Attire instructions were loosely described in my summons.
"Proper" and "shows respect to the court and proceedings" was the criteria.

Now, if a lady can wear a skirt, I don't see why a guy couldn't wear shorts.
Might have to wear heels from the Caitlyn Collection ...

 

[DMC]

Attire instructions were loosely described in my summons.
"Proper" and "shows respect to the court and proceedings" was the criteria.

Now, if a lady can wear a skirt, I don't see why a guy couldn't wear shorts.
Might have to wear heels from the Caitlyn Collection ...

I have always wanted to wear a black robe to court just like the judges do.

 

[zincwarrior]

Attire instructions were loosely described in my summons.
"Proper" and "shows respect to the court and proceedings" was the criteria.

Now, if a lady can wear a skirt, I don't see why a guy couldn't wear shorts.
Might have to wear heels from the Caitlyn Collection ...

At the late church service we often wear shorts. If its good enough for God its good enough for Judge Campaign Contributions. Judge is just a lawyer. I should be able to show it in a wife beater Tshirt eating Doritoes. You work for me!

 

[zincwarrior]

I have always wanted to wear a black robe to court just like the judges do.

There you go. Alternatively a nice monk's robe (with hood that you never pull down) would go well.

"Are you a priest?"
"No, why do you ask?"
"Er..."

 

[TheDan]

Oh, and some idiot showed up for jury duty wearing shorts. He got a very special lecture from the judge. She had the cops take him home, let him change pants, then brought him back and made him sit through the entire trial as punishment.

WTF? What would the judge have done if he didn't own any pants?

 

[matefrio]

WTF? What would the judge have done if he didn't own any pants?