rawBUNZel
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posted on June 5, 2001 04:22:35 PM new
Has anyone here served on a Jury? Was it a good experience or one you would rather not repeat? Did you try to get out of it? Did you get out of it?
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RainyBear
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posted on June 5, 2001 04:24:01 PM new
I reported for jury duty a few years ago. A bunch of us sat around in a big room waiting... for something... for a long time. One guy next to me started telling me about his medication. I started feeling unwell and they let me go home.
[ edited by RainyBear on Jun 5, 2001 04:24 PM ]
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Hjw
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posted on June 5, 2001 04:35:25 PM new
Rawbunzil,
It's an experience that I will never forget. A drug dealer, employed as a worker on the loading docks with an American Express monthly bill of 30,000 was found not guilty. 
The jury was more interesting that the defendant.
Helen
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hepburn
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posted on June 5, 2001 04:35:38 PM new
Wanna get out of it? Then just state very clearly and shout loudly to the person next to you that "THEY ARE GUILTY. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. NOBODY CAN FOOL ME, NUH UH! I KNOW! THE MEN FROM MARS TOLD ME. HOPE I GET PICKED!"
You will be sent home.
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 5, 2001 04:46:13 PM new
I'm doing Jury Duty right now. Started in April and runs until the end of July. They send us a calender and (according to our jury number) we have to call in the night before to find out if we are needed for the next day.
I've been twice so far (I've been excused for three calling dates because I was going to be out of town). The first time the defendent pled out right before trial (and we got to stay and watch the pleding, which I found interesting). The second time they did pick a jury, and I wasn't on it.
I doubt I'll ever get to be on a jury because I put on my form that my best friend worked at the DA's office last summer and her fiance is a local cop. In fact, I found out later that the defense bumped me because of that. Kind of disapointing because I really wouldn't mind being on a jury.....makes the early morning and the blown day worth it.
I was supposed to report this morning, but woke up at 4 AM with a migraine, which kills me for the rest of the day (if not a few days).
There was an interesting piece in one of the last Newsweeks about jury duty. As Americans we all seem to have an opinion about EVERYTHING, but for some reason the once chance (short of voting) to have that opinion actually mean something we try and 'get out of it'. Why?
I don't think it is an easy job, and even I find myself uncomfortable with the idea that I could end up sending someone to jail. However, I've found the whole process very interesting and very worth wild.
PLUS, there will be no end to the interesting stories. For example, I've only shown up twice and I already have a 'whooper'. Turns out the guy from the second trial is a very good friend of my best friends fiance.....the guy is actually in the wedding and I could end up standing with him in the party. I'm now VERY glad I wasn't on that jury....could have made for an uncomfortable wedding! LOL
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Hjw
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posted on June 5, 2001 04:49:06 PM new
Right, Hepburn!!
It's very easy to get out of it. If you are chosen, just tell the judge that this guy just looks guilty to you...no doubt about it.
And he will send you home.
Helen
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rawBUNZel
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posted on June 5, 2001 04:52:56 PM new
Lotsafuzz, does having a relative that is in the police force preclude you from serving on a jury? I suppose it would cause one to be a bit biased in that regard.
Hepburn, That is too funny! I couldn't pull it off though. Too embarassing!
Hjw, how long did you have to serve on that jury? Seems like it wouldn't have taken too long. The jurors probably are more interesting than the trial.
Rainybear, You got sick and they let you go home? Hhhmmmmm.
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saabsister
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posted on June 5, 2001 04:58:34 PM new
I served on two juries. The third case was settled out of court. As lotsafuzz says - there's a lot of sitting around waiting.
I'd recommend doing it if you get the chance. If you think the Round Table can be contentious, try a jury room that you've been in for five hours and everyone is hungry and starting to get crabby. On the other hand, it's a great place to learn to reach a fair consensus with a variety of people.
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snowyegret
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posted on June 5, 2001 05:07:51 PM new
I got called quite a few years back. Had to work 12 hours the night before, and had to go to a delivery right before I left. Got blood all over the front of my scrubs. I wore a cover gown, but the deputies on the courthouse steps were LTAO.
And no, I didn't get selected that time.
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 5, 2001 05:13:26 PM new
Lotsafuzz, does having a relative that is in the police force preclude you from serving on a jury? I suppose it would cause one to be a bit biased in that regard.
In my experiance, no. One of the questions asked of the jury pool was, "Do you or any family member work for any law enforcement agency (including, but not limited to, guards, boarder patrol, ect).
I'd say 80% of the jury pool stood up to answer that question. Each time the judge asked, "Do you think a member of law enforcement is more likely to tell the truth just because they are in law enforcement." I wasn't asked that question, but those who were said no (my best friend says she has seen people say yes, that may key the defense to kick them off, but not always).
When you fill out the first jury form you get (around here, in the mail) you answer a bunch of questions like that. You won't automatically be excluded, but it can affect if you actually get on a jury.
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doxdogy
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posted on June 5, 2001 05:14:59 PM new
Just finished jury duty back in April. It was a murder trial. The trial was relatively short. Only lasted a total of 4 days. A couple of times I didn't get home until 7pm. And we did do alot of sitting and waiting for trial to begin. We were asked to leave the courtroom a couple of times. It was very interesting. Especially, when we started hearing the DNA evidence. The selection process was so long. The ones that were not selected were the ones that said they either could never sentence someone to die or that they could only hand down the death penalty and not sentence someone to life in prison without possibility of parole. I enjoyed it. It was the first time that I had ever been called. We did find him guilty and then had to go back for the sentencing phase. Then a couple of weeks ago, the judge handed down his sentence.
Theresa
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hepburn
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posted on June 5, 2001 05:18:32 PM new
If its a hardship to be on jury duty, and claim it so, then they will let you go, but you are still "on call" for the next year. I think they only call you once per year anyway, dont they? Here in my city, they tell all potential jurors to stand before the judge if they dont wish to be part of the process THAT TIME.
Me, I dont want any part of it. They dont pay enough for me to miss work and I wont be stuck for days on end that could turn to months.
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gravid
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posted on June 5, 2001 05:21:35 PM new
From what I read about lawyers selecting people the ideal person to select would be an unemployed deaf only child of an African American/Eskimo Father and an Arabic/German Mother orphaned and raised as an Agnostic by Catholic/Jewish foster parents who are Carney workers from Canada and who does not watch any TV, read newspapers, or have friends.
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uaru
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posted on June 5, 2001 05:22:21 PM new
Did you try to get out of it? Did you get out of it?
I gave an excuse that I was unable to attend because of work (I traveled a lot) and needed to reschedule for another date. They'd say no problem and I'd get another jury duty letter a month later, I used the same excuse. After a year and a half of that game they told me they didn't feel I was being sincere in working them into my schedule and said I was allowed to reschedule one more time. I ask them what the fine was not to appear, hoping I could just buy my way out, they told me the fine was $100 and I'd get another request to appear. I showed up and read a book for 4 hours before being excused.
Take a good book, and a portable stereo when you go.
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KatyD
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posted on June 5, 2001 05:23:15 PM new
Lotsafuzz, does having a relative that is in the police force preclude you from serving on a jury? I suppose it would cause one to be a bit biased in that regard.
Actually, I don't think it would bias me at all, and my husband is a cop. But if it is a criminal trial, the defense might think so, though. Don't forget that a summons for jury duty also includes jury pools for civil trials, not just criminal. So having a relative in law enforcement wouldn't necessarily be germane.
I could never serve on jury trying a capital case. I know absolutely that I could never NEVER vote for a death sentence. Not that I necessarily don't believe in the death penalty...I just know that I could not come to terms with that kind of decision. Never.
KatyD
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Hjw
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posted on June 5, 2001 05:24:03 PM new
Rawbunzel, You asked how long...about 7 days.
The interesing thing is that there was a CPA
on this jury, who believed the defendant's story that the source of his funds was from race track winnings.
Helen
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xifene
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posted on June 5, 2001 05:30:06 PM new
Strangely enough, I was always kicked for jury duty when I was recognized by the prosecution. They don't like it when FIJA (Fully Informed Jury Association) activitist are on the jury. Go figure.
My husband has sat on juries a couple times and said it was usually interesting -- particularly if you get a case that lasts several days.
--xifene--
http://www.auctionusers.org
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rawBUNZel
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posted on June 5, 2001 05:33:29 PM new
Helen, I might have believed that story too! LOL I used to make quite a bit of money at the race track.That was before I learned how to read the racing form. After that it was all downhill.
KatyD, I have several relatives on various police forces in this area. I don't think it would bias me but I really don't know. Would probably depend on the case.
Snowyegret! Your story is too funny! Showing up for jury duty covered in blood. Did they search you before they let you in? LOLOLOL
[ edited by rawBUNZel on Jun 5, 2001 05:35 PM ]
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snowyegret
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posted on June 5, 2001 06:07:05 PM new
What's even funnier is the defendant was a doctor.
One of the lawyers asked "Has anyone had bad experiences with doctors?" Of course, I raised my hand.
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Hjw
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posted on June 5, 2001 06:31:24 PM new
ROFLOL Snowyegret!!!
Helen
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 5, 2001 06:34:00 PM new
I wonder: What is it that makes some people think they are so special that they shouldn't have to be 'put out' by serving on jury duty?
I bet those same people will #*!@ and moan about the crime in their neighborhood.
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saabsister
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posted on June 5, 2001 06:41:08 PM new
I agree, lotsafuzz. I realize some people have legitimate reasons for not serving; but to get a good representation of the community, everyone should serve. Folks can complain forever about the dumbing down of juries, but if people refuse to serve, how can they criticize the result?
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Hjw
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posted on June 5, 2001 06:50:54 PM new
rawBUNZel
This guy's wife appeared in court wearing a full length mink coat. Where is this race track? I'm ready to go.
Helen
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hepburn
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posted on June 5, 2001 07:04:21 PM new
Some people seem to worry about what other people do.
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Hjw
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posted on June 5, 2001 07:07:23 PM new
hepburn
LoL
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Hjw
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posted on June 5, 2001 07:18:46 PM new
Some people should be in the kitchen cooking rice.
Helen
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 5, 2001 07:42:40 PM new
Some people seem to worry about what other people do.
Could be.
I've always had a problem picking up the slack for people who are lazy and selfish.
Hmmm....guess I should say that I actually worry about what other people don't do. Or won't do because they consider themselves 'above it all'.
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margot
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posted on June 5, 2001 07:44:09 PM new
I have only been called once and I did get on as an alternate in a civil case. It took only one day and was well worth the experience. I got to see the "workings" of justice first hand....nothing like TV shows that's for certain. There is a lot of waiting, but for a day it was educational.
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Hjw
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posted on June 5, 2001 07:55:36 PM new
lotasfuzz,
well, you can rest assured that Hepburn and I are not among the lazy and selfish. We, along with you, are worried about what other people don't do, Or won't do because they consider themselves 'above it all'.
Helen
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Hjw
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posted on June 5, 2001 08:00:08 PM new
Hepburn, I hope that I am not guilty of "enfolding your name into my interpretation of happenstance." I realize that you are able to speak for yourself should you see a need to do so. 
Helen
edited to add quotes
[ edited by Hjw on Jun 5, 2001 08:02 PM ]
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