Posted on 05/06/2024 9:06:58 AM PDT by Dacula
I was notified several weeks ago to report for Jury Duty today. A responsibility of all American citizens and one that I was proudly called to be a part of. I am a resident of Gwinnett County Georgia. In the process, we were shown a 12-minute video explaining why it was a civic responsibility of all Americans. First of all, the video was over 10 years old, but most glaringly, it was filled with multiple false statements.
One of the most glaring false comments that stuck with me was that they said America is a Federated Democracy. I did my best to bring this to the attention of several 'leaders'. Of the six that I asked, everyone looked at me with a blank stare. They all said that they would make note of this statement and a few others that I also brought to their attention. Nothing was ever written down and I had no avenue to write my concerns.
The word Democracy does not appear in the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.
Does this one statement bother anyone or am I just blowing things up?
Best comment on the subject I’ve ever read!
I have showed up for Jury Duty several times.
But I have never been selected for a jury, because criminal defense lawyers are leery of having jurors with PhDs in science!
But is it dangerous to have juries (in criminal and civil cases) made up of dumb-dumbs?
Inquiring minds want to know!
You were right in speaking up, but don't expect them to do anything about the glaring falsehoods. Instead, if your elected county officials are Republican, you might want to contact them about this. You could also notify your State Legislator, and your Federal Rep./Senator if they happen to be Republican. You could even contact the media in your area. The bigger the stink you make about it, bringing it to people's attention, you might be able to get it changed. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
I got picked to be on a jury last summer. During the interviews, I got to tell the defense counsel that my nephew was a state prison guard. I was dismissed.
I'd also bring it up on your questionnaire, then you will likely not be called. They'll think you're a trouble maker :)
I’m in Polk County, FL and get a jury summons like a Christmas card... every year. I’ve served on 4, foreman once, and called once to Tampa for federal court. If you ever want off of duty, read the Jurors Handbook and let them know you understand jurors not only judge the accused, but we judge the law. When they ask the jury pool if anyone has any problems following the judges instructions, raise your hand. The juror is the most powerful person in the United States and don’t answer to judges.
I served on a kidnapping/murder trial a couple of years ago.
It reinforced my opinion that we need smart people on the juries, if for no other reason than to exercise the Founding Father's reason for including them in the criminal justice system:
To judge, not only the facts of the case, but also the law and the application of it.
mine was for a six case grand jury, but i had to send up for trial a friend of mine caught with a drink btwn his legs when pulled over
if it had been a trial i would have disclosed our friendship during voir dire
like you, i felt a lil guilty, but knew the rules and i dint have to decide his guilt
thx...
What was the outcome of your trial, and did the experience affect you?
ignorant people have to translate in their minds what smart people say into something they can understand, and much is lost in translation
poor results ensue...
As thinking individuals it’s the solemn duty of each of us who call ourselves patriots to serve on a jury.
We should bring copies of our federal and state constitutions. If the charge doesn’t meet the constitution it’s our duty to be the sand in the machinery.
If a person committed the crime but there may have been a good reason, such as killed his wife’s rapist, all the more reason to have patriots on the jury.
I sure hope Trump has one patriot on his jury. Just one
I noticed that the hundred or so people that they selected were either - Foreign, Black, or female
You forgot stupid. Some of the stupidest people I’ve ever seen were on juries I was on.
I was called to duty and seated on juries four times over a 20 year period. Got to be a foreman twice, once by draw of #1 seat, once by election. Then for the next 20 years, nothing.
Then a couple of years ago I got the email notice to serve again. They were doing the COVID thing, and vior dire was done by the judge and lawyers over phone chats. The judge told me that a gun charge was involved, possession, not illegal use. I quoted the second amendment to the judge and asked if he supported it. I was excused.
“I had no avenue to write my concerns.”
But you do now.
P.S. You’ll never get another jury summons. LOL
“I wrote ‘too intelligent’.”
Good one!
Last time I was called for jury duty I was having trouble with my hip and couldn’t walk. Hurt myself on the job. Had a physician write a note, gave it to the right people and sheesh! have not been called for jury duty since. That was about 5 years ago. I certainly would go. I do consider it a privilege to serve on a jury.
That saying, I did once go, sit through the first round, get to where I was called back and sat in a court room with the potential jurors being considered, myself included.
I was listening to the different scenarios around me when a man whom I guess was a lawyer, not sure, and the possible person to go on trial came up to me on the other side of a low wall where they seated us in a row down this barrier to the inner part of the room came and sat and looked at me. Told me they were going to ask me some questions.
The apparent lawyer asked me if a man had committed a crime with a gun should have the gun taken away from him. I said, ‘yes’ and boom! The shock on the two of their faces was obvious, the questions were done and someone came up to me and said something to the effect I can leave now.
I guess the guy was a criminal on trial and hoping to get the rights to use his gun back? I have no idea what happened there.
“criminal defense lawyers are leery of having jurors with PhDs in science!”
LOL! Hubby has discovered the same thing. Answering a summons has been a waste of his time often.
they never want me....they want very specific people and its usually not the regular citizen...
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