Jury Duty - What Does It Mean Now?

me | now | me

[ggrrrrr23456]

I served on jury duty today.

The prosecutor asked the question, "Does anyone not want to be here for jury duty today?"\

I raised my hand.

I then went on record saying that my view of the process had been clouded by what I consider to be an abuse and politicization of the judicial system in NY, GA, and Washington D.C.

The judge, who I don't doubt is an honorable chap doing his duty, gave a speech about the importance of jury duty, how it was a responsibility and privilege that had been fought for by our Founding Fathers through blood, sweat and tears.

25 years ago, that would have made sense. But now, not so much.

Is anyone else facing the same challenge with their jury duty service?

[Alberta's Child]

I've been called for jury duty three times.

The first two times I was selected for a jury pool but never got seated because the jury was seated before they got to me.

The third time I WANTED to be selected for the jury. The judge said: "This is an expedited civil trial where the jury will only decide two items. All the other disputes have been resolved through 2-3 years of motions and stipulations. If you get on this jury you should be done in 1-2 days. If you don't, you go back into the jury pool and might get selected for a longer trial!"

I got on that jury.

[Seruzawa]

I would not shirk jury duty. I was picked once but the parties settled. It is our duty and we should do a good job no matter which POS party runs the country. I’m sure most of you would want a freeper on your jury if you had to face trial.

[NorthMountain]

Just remember, the people on a jury are people too stupid to figure out how to get out of jury duty.

With respect, sir:

In general, people who try to get out of jury duty are traitors.

[Alberta's Child]

I agree with you.

I have already resolved that I will never convict any defendant in a case where an FBI agent testifies on behalf of the prosecution.

[Seaplaner]

Respectfully, my FRiend, I do not agree.

I've been selected for jury duty many times, and I've served on several juries. I believe that I've both added value to the proceedings and learned from each one of them.

I've never asked to be released, even though I had a busy professional career, and it was a burden for me to be away from work.

It's one thing for lawyers and politicians to erode the judicial process, it's another thing if jurors give up.

Not me.

[Nateman]

I was almost on a jury once. It was for a death penalty case. I wrote in response to one of the questions that psychiatrists should wear the same uniform as medieval wizards because their 'science' was nearly as accurate.

Needless to say I was eventually dismissed.

[NorthMountain]

Since I have a BSEE and post a lot here I suspect I will never actually be on a jury.

Perhaps if you get an MSEE, you'll be picked.

Ask me how I know. ;'}

[who_would_fardels_bear]

I have an MSEE and have close family members who worked for various police departments. Despite that I ended up on two juries which worked out well. Two convicted felons in jail after proper consideration of the evidence and judge’s instructions.

[Mogger]

And you wimped.

Frankly you are part of what is wrong with the system.

Absolutely!

Unless serving on a jury will bankrupt you, you should serve.

I have, and will be happy to again.

I am astonished that any freeper would think otherwise.

That is handing over the legal system to exactly those it shouldn't be given to.

Suppose they are the ones in front of a jury?

WHo would they want there?

[Theoria]

We’ve always had corrupt times and people. Perhaps now people are finally paying attention.

[Alberta's Child]

Best jury story I heard involved a relative who was called for jury duty in New York City. He was included in the jury pool for a very high-profile case that made headlines for months. If I mentioned it here, most Freepers would probably remember the case.

While he was sitting in the courtroom before jury selection, one guy on the prosecution team recognized him as a college classmate. The guy said to him quietly: "If you get called, tell the judge you know me. You don't want to be on the jury for this circus trial." LOL.

[ConservativeMind]

I gladly have done jury duty, and I see it as our civic duty.

You make it what it becomes. It does not matter what a circus it may have been, for others.

You are a poor example of a good citizen. You are why good people go to jail, and bad people get let off.

It’s because you didn’t want to represent.

[Alberta's Child]

I always say ...

If I'm on trial for a crime and I am guilty, I want a jury full of morons and baboons. If I am not guilty, I want a jury full of honest, principled citizens.

[No.6]

No. Imagine one of these cases like Derek Chauvin and you make your speech about the unfairness of the system, get excused from the jury, and he gets convicted.

You could’ve been the immovable vote of reason but nope, the revenge and racism crowd has its scapegoat.

(bla bla bla — tl;dr a jury, even a single juror, is one of the last bulwarks of civilization, potentially stopping even a corrupt prosecutor, judge and system.)

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I have less respect for people who dodge jury duty then I do for draft dodgers.

People may not want to join the military for any number of reason I may not agree with but will respect.

But there is can be no moral objection to serving on a jury. Without people who will do their duty no system can function.

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I really enjoy doing my civic duty and serving on a jury.

Two years ago I was picked for a Grand Jury and was chosen as Foreman by all the other jurors. It was a two week term.

We billed everything from petty crimes to murder. But I occasionally suggested the jury no bill even if the prosecutor wanted us to indict if civil liberties were violated. Also chided prosecutors to do more to protect children in cases of abuse.

This year I was a potential regular juror in the case of a minor shooting up a crowd. The public defender was playing both sides during the juror selection saying he didn’t do the crime while also saying he was too young (17) to know what he was doing.

I asked to approach the bench, as others had done, and quietly told the judge that I couldn’t be fair to the defendant because the PD was incompetent.

The judge nodded and said “OK, next juror?”

[NEMDF]

I have had jury duty several times, and actually served on 3 juries, was voted chairperson on 2.

I felt it was an incredibly important thing to do, and hoped that people like me would serve, if I ever needed to rely on a jury with integrity, for the sake of my life or future.

It seems like possibly it is still a way to have some impact or influence in today’s society. But maybe I am jaded.

[9YearLurker]

If people would behave better, we’d have to lose less time to jury duty.

But you certainly don’t want to scrap trial by jury, do you?

[drypowder]

I was selected to sit in the jury box. The trial was about an illegal alien who was charged with robbery and assault. The defense attorney asked me if I had any opinion about the defendant being Mexican or if I had any biases toward his client’s nationality. I said no and then I asked the attorney if his client is being charged for being in the US illegally? His attorney answered no and then dismissed me a few minutes later.

[11th_VA]

Hilarious !!!