Jury Duty

[sfne2005]

Anyone have jury duty coming up soon?

[SharkTums]

Anyone have a temporary ban coming up???

[Louise]

^^ Elissa??

 

^ Rich??

 

I so wanna do jury duty!!

[sfne2005]

I want a trip report there missy!

[ParkTrips]

I so wanna do jury duty!!

 

Elissa wants to as well

[DerekRx]

I think if you got arrested, the cop had a pretty good reason for doing so and you're therefore guilty!

 

I also think that the retired, unemployeed, and welfare people should be the first ones chosen for jury duty since they've got nothing better going on!

[Carnage]

My 3 year exemption comes up in the winter. From what I understand I'm very likely to get called in again. From what I understand once you get picked, you keep getting picked over and over again.

 

I served on a jury for a child molester 3 years ago. While an interesting experience, it was also extremely stressful.

 

I do not want to do it again, but unforunatly I don't have a choice.

[SharkTums]

I actually really want to do it, the timing was just bad this week and luckily after going to the courthouse I was able to postpone to next week! I don't think I'm allowed to do a Photo TR, but I'll try!

[sfne2005]

Yeah, you won't be allowed. But you could do those fancy artists drawings when u get home. Or just doodle on your notepad which would make it look like u were taking notes!

[SharkTums]

Yeah, it might be time to revive the MS Paint Photo TR!

 

We'll see if I end up getting called again next week!

[Jon Sabo]

I think jury duty would suck!

 

I have been pre- selected 3 times in my life and each time the case ended up being settled before trial. 2 of the ones in Hawaii were a real doozy though

 

In reference to the old people comment, I would hate to have (many) of them on the jury if I was selected because of the following:

1. They tend to have an odor that smells of death (at least the ones that I have been around in the courtroom).

2. They do 'tricks' like pull out their dentures.

3. Gas! OMG how little control they have; too much damn fiber I suppose.

4. Sleeping-ALOT

5. Snore (when they sleep).

6. Hard of hearing when you talk to them (and repeat the item 2-3 times before they get it).

[BeemerBoy]

Those of you who actually wish to be on a jury should be careful what you wish for. A simple civil trial can be an interesting procedure to experience for a day or two, but criminal trials are a whole different story. Unless the idea of a possible months-long trial while being sequestered is enticing, you should hope to avoid jury duty at all costs.

 

I speak out of experience on this one; however, unfortunately not from the jury's standpoint. Just two years ago, my family had to endure a horrific experience. I won't go into details, but I'll tell you that we lost two close family members due to a completely senseless and random act of violence, which resulted in a nationwide manhunt for the culprit, and a death penalty trial.

 

Fortunately, the evidence was stacked on our side, and resulted in only a two week trial. However, that two week period was the most stressful two weeks we have ever endured. I'll also say that we were extremely cognizant of the jury's role in the matter. They had to be sequestered for two weeks, which meant absolutely no contact with the outside world.....including their families. On top of that, they had the unenviable task of deciding whether someone deserves capital punishment, all the while looking into the eyes of two rows of heartbroken family members.

 

I don't mean to use this thread as a soapbox or anything, but this just hit on something close to home. While not every case is as extreme, and some fun can be had at experiencing the legal procedure firsthand, it's also something that should be dealt with in a serious manner. You never know what might be thrown your way.

[BeemerBoy]

I served on a jury for a child molester 3 years ago. While an interesting experience, it was also extremely stressful.

 

Paul, how long did your case last?

[Carnage]

The trial lasted two weeks.

 

The guy was sentanced to something like 3 years in prison. His appeal was just denied this past winter, so he's serving the sentance now.

[BeemerBoy]

^ That's what we're not looking forward to....years and years of appeals.

[Carnage]

^Yeah, I can't even imagine how hard that would be.

 

With this case it's all but finished. All that's left is for him to serve his time. Though it's going to be hard on everyone involved with the case for some time.

 

As a jury member it's much easier to forget and move on.

 

I was actually surprised that this guy's appeal was rejected. I was sure that he was going to get a new trial, patch the holes in his story and end up walking.

 

Actually at one point the trial almost was declared a mistial. Seems the accused first defense witness contacted him by e-mail during the trial and gave him an answer to a question asked in court.

 

The judge and the prosecuting lawyer ripped that witness a new hole when he got up on a stand. I've never seen someone try and packpedal so hard.

[BeemerBoy]

^Yeah, it remains tough to this day. In fact, tomorrow will be 4 years to the day that the murders took place, and it still feels as though we were sitting in court yesterday.

 

It really is amazing to see all that goes on during a trial of this magnitude. I gained tremendous respect for the prosecuters, and left with absolutely zero respect for the defense. Although we knew the evidence lead to nothing but an open and shut case, the attorneys find the strangest ways to put doubt into jurors minds. I can't tell you how many times my stomach turned listening to these trash bags try to defend that loser.

 

And as far as the jurors go, I mean, there's no way any of them left that case without their lives changed in some way. They gave us the verdict we were praying for, but not after the most tension-filled 24 hour deliberation you could imagine. We literally sat there shaking our heads wondering what was taking so long. And that's why being on the jury is not an enviable position. Luckily, like you said, your case can be a little more easily forgotten in the mind of a juror, but if you get stuck deciding someone's life, that's a whole other story.

[Token Yankee Guy]

I've gotten Three Jury summonses and all three I didn't have to do .

 

1) I was up at school when the first summons came in, so I couldn't attend, my Mom had to send a letter to the court telling them I was in Maine for school.

 

2) they re-sent out the summons since I was out of school, the court date or whatever got postponed so I was put on call

 

3) third was the the "on call" summons or whatever, and again, the court date got postponed again so I serviced my civil service and won't need to do jury duty again for like 3 years.

[crispy]

I'm on jury duty, number hasn't been called

[haiderodes]

 

I also think that the retired, unemployeed, and welfare people should be the first ones chosen for jury duty since they've got nothing better going on!

 

 

AMEN!

 

I don't know how it is where you all are from but it is such a effen hassle to get excused. I was in the middle of exams my sophmore year of college when I got a summons and it took literally two weeks to get excused.

[crispy]

Ahh dammit, I may have to go in this afternoon, this ought to be intresting, considering I work nights

[SharkTums]

I'm sitting at Jury Duty right now.

 

I'm going to try and do a mini photo-TR without getting in trouble!

 

Eh, at least they have two computers with internet!

[mcjaco]

 

I also think that the retired, unemployeed, and welfare people should be the first ones chosen for jury duty since they've got nothing better going on!

 

 

AMEN!

 

I don't know how it is where you all are from but it is such a effen hassle to get excused. I was in the middle of exams my sophmore year of college when I got a summons and it took literally two weeks to get excused.

 

Just move from county to county, like me. They can't find me, and when they do, I've moved!

[SharkTums]

In my continuing Jury Duty Update...

 

Just got back from lunch. We don't have to be back until 1:30, but it was either sit here in the air conditioning online, or sit at McDonalds with all of the homeless and disabled!

 

Only one 'panel' has been called so far. I'm assuming I'll get called after lunch, then I'll have to try to answer the questions so I don't get chosen for the jury! There are a few trials they're selecting for all ranging from 3 - 6 days in length! Grrr!!

 

I just want to go home and work on the UK Video!!!

[haiderodes]

In my continuing Jury Duty Update...

 

Just got back from lunch. We don't have to be back until 1:30, but it was either sit here in the air conditioning online, or sit at McDonalds with all of the homeless and disabled!

 

Only one 'panel' has been called so far. I'm assuming I'll get called after lunch, then I'll have to try to answer the questions so I don't get chosen for the jury! There are a few trials they're selecting for all ranging from 3 - 6 days in length! Grrr!!

 

I just want to go home and work on the UK Video!!!

 

 

HAHA! That sounds like the reverse of a job interview. You know, answering the questions so you DONT get picked! At least you get some air conditioning...until a rolling blackout happens that is.