Supreme Court justice shows up for jury duty in state court

AP ^ | 1/4/5 | GINA HOLLAND

[SmithL]

WASHINGTON (AP) --

No one took any notice of the tall, slim man who appeared Tuesday for jury duty. Had he worn his black robe, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer no doubt would have drawn more attention.

Even Marlborough, Mass., District Court Judge Thomas Sullivan Jr. didn't recognize Breyer until he read the justice's name on a document listing potential jurors for cases he was hearing.

"When I looked at the slip I said, 'Oh, my God,"' Sullivan said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Two cases were to be heard, one for drunken driving and another for assault. Enough jurors were picked for the assault case before Breyer's name was called, and the defense attorney in the drunken driving case excluded the justice from that jury.

According to Sullivan, the defense attorney said, "The last thing I need is two judges on the case."

Breyer, 66, said he felt it was important to do his civic duty and report to the courthouse,

[Green]

According to Sullivan, the defense attorney said, "The last thing I need is two judges on the case."

Now I find that statement hilarious.

[konaice]

Now I find that statement hilarious.

I find it telling.

[Green]

very true but funny at the same time. Especially given the justice in question.

[TAquinas]

"Breyer, 66, said he felt it was important to do his civic duty and report to the courthouse,"

He felt. I think he's required to by law.

The last time I was for jury duty (about 5 years ago) and after we had been randomly chosen, the judge let us go out for lunch and said: "From now on you belong to me." He had a great sense of humor.

[konaice]

He felt. I think he's required to by law.

Technically, yes.

However, usually judges, bailifs, police, attorneys are summarily given an exemption, because the likelyhood of actually being selected for a jury is so thin as to be a waste of everybody's time.

I'm sure the Justice thought it amusing.

[TAquinas]

Thanks for the reminder.

Very true. I almost forgot.

[Chummy]

"...'When I looked at the slip I said, Oh, my God,' Sullivan said...."

Nah, only Justice Breyer.

What's that about all men being created equal again?

[Mercat]

Lawyers aren't excused in this county.

[leprechaun9]

"Breyer, 66, said he felt it was important to do his civic duty and report to the courthouse, ..."

As an active working member of the law industry, he was merely reporting for work! It had nothing to do with civic duty!

[El Gato]

He felt. I think he's required to by law.

There might be exemptions for public officials. I suspect one side or the other would be sure to premptively challenge him anyway.