I just got called for Jury duty for the first time (want info on Jury Nullification) - VANITY

[The FRugitive]

I just got called for jury duty for the first time.

I'm curious about jury nullification in case I get picked and get a consensual "criminal" case (tax evasion, drug posession, gun law violation, etc.). What would I need to know?

This could be my chance to stick it to the man. ;)

(Of course if I were to get a case of force or fraud I would follow the standing law.)

[Kenton]

I predict that you will spend the whole week sitting in the jury room rather than serving on a jury. You will be questioned very closely about your opinions during the jury selection process. The lawyers are expert at weeding out jurors who have any sort of opinion that might affect your ability to judge a case without prejudice.

I got dismissed from a jury selection after being asked very pointed questions about the fact that I was a white male from the suburbs and therefore might not be able to fairly judge a black woman's workman's comp case, in which I honestly answered that if selected, I would make a conscious effort to be fair.

[MissBaby]

If you have ever complained or been upset by a stupid jury verdict, this is you chance to help solve the problem. Don't try to get out of it. Serve!

[FourtySeven]

Jury duty sucks. I was called TWICE last year alone. I'm hoping that since I moved, I won't be called again.

[Sloth]

LOL... I don't know why everyone seems to think you want to get out of jury duty, when you indicated just the opposite.

[kms61]

If you're mind is already made up re: voting to acquit no matter what, you're not an impartial juror and should be excluded. Furthermore, it would be unethical to lie about your beliefs just to get past the voire dire.

Were I a party to a case, I would not want you on my jury.

BTW, in all likelihood, your case would more than likely be a lot more mundane than the examples you gave and the nullification issue probably wouldn't be a factor anyway.

[The FRugitive]

Ahh...so if someone shoots you because they feel it was their natural right because you were white, you wouldn't have a problem with that? Or if someone robs you because "that's just what I do" and they feel it is their right to earn a living vua income redistribution, that wouldn't bother you. That's jury nullification. That's why it is wrong.

That's not a natural right. A natural right is anything you wish to do that doesn't violate another's equal rights.

They will ask you questions about your feelings related to the case. Tell the truth and it will work out.

Absolutely, of course, I will be honest to any direct questions I'm asked.

[rednek]

All you have to do is vote to acquit. You do not have to explain or justify your vote to anyone. However, be prepared to be verbally abused by your fellow jurors.

regards - red

[IncPen]

You're a weasel.

Frankly I think you could use a civics lesson, but I doubt you'd get anything from it.

I do hope that one day you find yourself in a court of law with your world in the balance and have plenty of time to consider the ramifications of facing 12 people with an attitude like yours

You're presupposing that 'sending' a message is somehow more noble than giving aggrieved parties justice, and you're deciding in advance which types of cases are not meritorious and which are worthy of your 'blessing'.

You may well get out of jury duty-- which would be a good thing for this country. Whatever years of education you bothered with were wasted.

And yes, I've served on juries.

[HamiltonJay]

Jury Nullification is serious business, its not meant as "sticking it to the man"... A juror/jury always has the right to NOT convict, regardless of the letter of the law, if they believe the person should not be prosecuted.

The types of things you are mentioning are hardly things that I would consider for Jury Nullification. We may not like taxes but they are part of life....

Personally Jury Nullification I view should be used in cases where a parent kills the person who sexually assaulted their child. They committed murder without question, but no way I would convict a parent for doing what any parent would do.

Finally Jury Nullification is not likely unless you have a highly morally contentious prosecution. The entire Jury must vote not guilty (generally) if only 1 or 2 people vote not guilty, you end up with a hung jury and a new trial is scheduled. This is sort of the check and balance of the Jury Nullification... for it to happen the prosecution must be so morally repugnant that 12 citizens ALL decide, while the defendant may be completely guilty under the letter of the law, they will not convict them.

So, the notion that one lone person is going to "stick it to the man" is pretty much fantasy.

[Catspaw]

So you're not going to honest with the court--you're going to pretend that you're serious about your jury duty, but your real agenda is jury nullification. Isn't that about right?

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

Check out the website for the Fully Informed Jury Association.

[Protagoras]

Your job is not to interpret the law. It's to decide guilt or innocence of the charge.

At least that's what they tell you and want you to believe.

[AppyPappy]

That's not a natural right

Once again, that is completely subjective.

A natural right is anything you wish to do that doesn't violate another's equal rights.

Like driving drunk? Or speeding? Or passing a stopped school bus? If you don't hurt anyone, should it be legal?

[The FRugitive]

Heh, no, I don't wish to get out of it. It's my duty to serve.

I'm currently self-employed and I can do my work in the evenings, so now is a good time in fact.

[freeper12]

If you want out, when they start asking you question, make sure they know you really, really want to serve...and then ask (with a straight face), if you'll have the opportunity to pass a death sentence in this case (even if its a tax case)...pretty sure you can get off...lol.

[Don Carlos]

I just got off jury duty yesterday. Failed to get seated (voir dire?) due to a series of questions the defense attorney asked me. It was a criminal case, and the defendent was charged with 1st degree burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, and sexual battery. The victim was a 64 year old female.

IMHO, if you can speak in complete sentences, wear shirts with buttons, and have any knowledge whatsoever of the US Constitution, you will never sit on a jury!

[archy]

Ahh..so if someone shoots you because they feel it was their natural right because you were white, you wouldn't have a problem with that?

More particularly, if they were charged with the commission of a *hate crime* rather than the shooting, I would indeed prefer to see that charge against them dismissed, even though a *not guilty* verdict would mean that under the constitution, they could not be again charged for that offense, not that that's stopped some corrupt federal prosecutors from applying federal charges to a defendant who has prevailed in a state court. The solution to that problem is to find the defendant not guilty again, despite the unconstitutional railroad job.

Otherwise, you'll be facing an ex post facto charge of treason against the constitution for your own comments, made in violation of the Clinton Anti-terrorism act to be passed next year. Your execution will be held tomorrow; you can appeal any time after that.

-archy-/-

[KOZ.]

had a friend respond to the jury notification in crayon.
was never asked to serve again. :)
koz.

[AppyPappy]

They committed murder without question, but no way I would convict a parent for doing what any parent would do.

It depends on the charge. The parent could have felt threatened by the perp and the perp had proven himself a threat.

[Eva]

My husband gets called for jury duty at least once a year. He just tells the defending attorney that he knows the guy must be guilty or he wouldn't be here. He resents the intruding questions that they ask and just doesn't want to deal with it.