Jury duty

[mitchntx]

Was summond for JD yesterday.
The case was 2nd degree felony delivery of Meth

During voir dire, the prosecutor asked if I would be more apt to believe a police officer's testimony over a witness's testimony.
I said no and he asked me too explain.

I told him I question whether police officers are properly trained in soft skills needed in knowing what to say or, most important, do.

He asked me to elaborate.

I told him that police officers are under far more scrutiny today than ever before. Social media and the news media are sharks looking for their next victim.
Compounding the issue is the line between being a peace officer and military style police is becoming greyer and greyer each day.
Consequently, officers are placed in no win situations based upon the military style focus and training they appear to recieve and act accordingly and many times inappropriately.

do you trust the police?

No.

Excused ...

 

[zincwarrior]

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

True words mitchntx.

 

[vmax]

you did good


remember this if you are ever tried by a jury.

A jury is made up of 12 people who were not smart enough to get out of jury duty

 

[peeps]

you did good


remember this if you are ever tried by a jury.

A jury is made up of 12 people who were not smart enough to get out of jury duty

Or, as evident by OP, in line with the prosecution's philosophy...but the defense has input on jury selection yes?

 

[mitchntx]

Doesn't each side get to excuse a juror without arguement?

Most answered no. But their explanation was it weighed no more or less ... in other words, no bias for or against.
I think that is what he was looking for.

 

[coachrick]

Got my notice for next Monday. I've been called twice in 7 years; but never made it out of the first cattle-call. As a non-working person, it will not be a great hardship for me to take the time to serve. We shall see...

As long as they don't mess with my TGT lunch gathering on Friday

 

[zincwarrior]

Or, as evident by OP, in line with the prosecution's philosophy...but the defense has input on jury selection yes?

You can be struck by either (or requested to be struck is the more accurate term).

Each side has a number of pre-emptory challenges. They can drop potentials for any legal reason (race/gender is not legal IIRC).

After that jurors can be struck for cause-basically that they are not fair and impartial or otherwise meet the requirements of being a juror.

Jury selection is an entire business/art to itself. There are specialists who do nothing but consult for jury selection.

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

Jury duty should not be looked at as a chore, but an honored privilege. Imagine you need a jury of 12 and you know none of them care or want to be there? You're the only one who knows you're innocent, how do you feel about that?

 

[Charlie]

I got on a grand jury shortly after I retired. One day a month for 6 months. Very, very interesting. Nothing like regular jury duty. I would do it again. Learned a great deal about the system.

 

[mitchntx]

Jury duty should not be looked at as a chore, but an honored privilege. Imagine you need a jury of 12 and you know none of them care or want to be there? You're the only one who knows you're innocent, how do you feel about that?

If that is directed at me, no where did I say I was trying to get out of it.
The prosecutor asked that we be truthful and candid.

I did as I was asked.

 

[Charlie]

If that is directed at me, no where did I say I was trying to get out of it.
The prosecutor asked that we be truthful and candid.

I did as I was asked.

Good for you. They decided if you stayed or were sent home. When I've been on jury duty (both types) it seemed funny that the judges and lawyers would explain all the laws, mandates, procedures to the jury pool, pick a prospective group, and then try to get each potential juror to say something that was almost, if not clearly, breaking the rules. The smart potential jurors gave short, concise, to the point answers to the lawyers and judge, and then gave the same answer to the question asked a different way. I also saw more stupid people in the jury pool than I thought there would be.

 

[Willy]

My last jury duty was for a DUI homicide by an illegal alien. They asked if any potential jurors knew someone killed by DUI. I told them 3 people and that all were killed by illegals. I was quickly dismissed.

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

If that is directed at me, no where did I say I was trying to get out of it.
The prosecutor asked that we be truthful and candid.

I did as I was asked.

Not at you directly, I would have quoted. It wasn't a general statement as so many view jury duty as a punishment to the juror, sadly.

 

[Charlie]

I haven't directed anything at anybody (except myself). Now that I'm retired and being called doesn't interfere with much, I don't mind it. What does bother me is when the judge and/or attorneys instruct the panelists (or prospective panelists) what they are allowed to think about. Which of course doesn't work in most cases with most jurors. They can tell me the law, and what I can consider and not consider, but not what I can think. I've seen a few attorneys' lose points by arguing with prospective jurors. It not only impacts who they are addressing in the jury panel but those who are listening! That said, most of the attorneys' that I've heard speak to the prospective panelists are pretty good folks and know what they are doing. I've only seen one case (in Houston 30 yrs. ago) actually lost because of the way an attorney acted.

 

[mitchntx]

Not at you directly, I would have quoted. It wasn't a general statement as so many view jury duty as a punishment to the juror, sadly.

Thought we were on the same page ... making sure.

I've sat on a couple jurys in my lifetime.
One simple and one complicated as hell.
Ever see the Henry Fonda movie 12 angry men?
We were split and it took some digging and discussion to come to a correct verdict and then sentence.

JD is a PITA. Its long, tedious and boring at times.
The process works as long as one is honest and candid.

I know some try to get out of it.
Worse still is trying to get on a jury.

 

[grasshopperglock]

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

 

[robertc1024]

Your fate is sealed now.

 

[zincwarrior]

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

Have you registered to vote, renewed your driver's license? Those typically trigger it. They may also have the wrong address and have sent you multiple summons'. Alternatively do you want to? I find people who actually want to do their civic duty on a jury seem to be the least likely to be called.

 

[TheDan]

Was summond for JD yesterday.

Excused ...

Did you wear your shirt with the battle flag on it?

 

[DMC]

Ive been called in a LOT, never served on a jury though, and I don't try to get out of it. I would serve if selected.

I was very appreciative of the jury that served when I needed one.