Jury duty

[voicegenius]

Take the knife outta my back.... fuuck

[henryrobinett]

I had to go to jury duty about a month ago. Of the 7 or so times I've been called I've never been chosen to sit on a jury. It's starting to piss me off a little, even though I never WANT to get a trial. Most times, like this last one, I get called to sit and answer questions, but I'm too smart or something. I ask questions. The questions are often stupid. I guess they expect the jury pool is stupid and afraid or intimidated by being up there. I'm not. But I'm always excused. But you see I don't have a lot of faith, like none, in the jurisprudence. So it's just as well.

[voicegenius]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

I had to go to jury duty about a month ago. Of the 7 or so times I've been called I've never been chosen to sit on a jury. It's starting to piss me off a little, even though I never WANT to get a trial. Most times, like this last one, I get called to sit and answer questions, but I'm too smart or something. I ask questions. The questions are often stupid. I guess they expect the jury pool is stupid and afraid or intimidated by being up there. I'm not. But I'm always excused. But you see I don't have a lot of faith, like none, in the jurisprudence. So it's just as well.

They called you to jury duty 7 times!! Take the knife outta YOUR back!

[voicegenius]

I LOVE that I'm at jury duty, but still on Gearslutz! Talk about an addiction!

[Animus]

I have only been called once for jury duty and that was back in like 99 or something and I ended up getting excused since we happened to have a blizzard that week and the city was shutdown. Lucky me. I actually wouldn't mind doing it if it was a interesting case.

[jeremy.c.]

Originally Posted by Animus

I have only been called once for jury duty and that was back in like 99 or something and I ended up getting excused since we happened to have a blizzard that week and the city was shutdown. Lucky me. I actually wouldn't mind doing it if it was a interesting case.

My friend was foreman of the jury on a murder trial, sounded like a real pain in the neck. I am of 2 minds about it, I would like to think that if I ever got railroaded into a trial by jury (I'm about as rule abiding as they come, for better or worse ) that I would have a jury of 12 intelligent peers, but the honestly the way everyone tries to shirk their societal obligation I would have no hope of ever being judged fairly.
It sucks and it's a drag to be there, but if I get picked I will do my best to be the juror I would want at my trial...

[henryrobinett]

Originally Posted by olivia_nb

My friend was foreman of the jury on a murder trial, sounded like a real pain in the neck. I am of 2 minds about it, I would like to think that if I ever got railroaded into a trial by jury (I'm about as rule abiding as they come, for better or worse ) that I would have a jury of 12 intelligent peers, but the honestly the way everyone tries to shirk their societal obligation I would have no hope of ever being judged fairly.
It sucks and it's a drag to be there, but if I get picked I will do my best to be the juror I would want at my trial...

This is more or less what happens to me., I know I'd be a phenomenal juror. I don't pre-judge people based on how they look or their perceived "background." I'm very fair and impartial. But I don't think I'll ever be picked because I'm also out spoken.

[jeremy.c.]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

This is more or less what happens to me., I know I'd be a phenomenal juror. I don't pre-judge people based on how they look or their perceived "background." I'm very fair and impartial. But I don't think I'll ever be picked because I'm also out spoken.

I have always heard the more quiet you are, the more likely you are to get picked. I have been called in for selection but never called to a panel so I am not sure how it works, but the people I know who do get picked are the type to be quiet and not speak up much during selection process. You may be on to something...

[voicegenius]

Originally Posted by olivia_nb

I have always heard the more quiet you are, the more likely you are to get picked. I have been called in for selection but never called to a panel so I am not sure how it works, but the people I know who do get picked are the type to be quiet and not speak up much during selection process. You may be on to something...

He may be on to something cause I WAS picked. Actually it isn't that bad now that I'm in it... Kinda like a Law & Order episode...

[Chaellus]

be lucky i was in jury duty last year for a whole month! was an alternate and the day before verdict was to be reached i was told i could go but to be on call just in case they needed me.....

[dft3670]

I seem to remember an old George Carlin routine where he said he always got out of jury duty by telling the judge he could always tell if someone was guilty by the look in their eyes.

I have been called at least 6 times. Once in federal court for a gang related murder for hire case. I'm glad I got out of that one. It was scheduled for 8 weeks and I had dreams of being followed home by gang members.

It's a civic duty, but if you really want to duck out, there are a dozen ways. One pool I was in was for a contractor fraud. As the pool is whittled down, the laywers started asking questions such as "Have you ever been unhappy with a contractor who worked on your home?" That question emptied half the jury box out.

If you listen to how the laywers craft questions, you can easily give an honest response to get you quickly escorted out of the box.

Even if you get picked most trials are short and some are pretty interesting.

[Jules]

Originally Posted by voicegenius

I LOVE that I'm at jury duty, but still on Gearslutz! Talk about an addiction!

Judge - "And how do you, the jury, find the defendant? Guilty or Not Guilty?"

voicegenius - "Er.. Shadow Hills? Neve Clone? Was it an API? Sorry your honor, - I was on my iPhone!"

[iangomes]

[DaKid]

I was almost picked for a case a couple years ago.

The owner of a popular jewelry store murdered his wife and rolled her up in a rug which stayed in the basement of the jewelry store for 2 years.



A majority of people were turned away because they bought jewelry from the guy. Pretty nuts.

[Keldog]

I got picked for jury duty a few years back and it ended up being a murder trial.

It was definitely something I'd do again. Very interesting. And yeah...kinda like Law and Order.

The forensic team was amazing. They be some smart people.

The crazy coked out bastard was guilty as hell and to this day I have no doubt about the verdict we passed. He stabbed his girlfriend something like 17 times, stuffed her body in a sleeping bag and dumped her body out in the woods. And the only thing that started the ball rolling was a dog bringing a femur home to gnaw on.

Crazy....

[henryrobinett]

Interesting. I teach some hard core prisoners. Now not so much. A lot of guys now are doing long time for stupid stuff. But when I started, before the three strikes law had passed, I taught at a level 4 prison. That's the heavy big slammer.

When OJ was on trial an inmate "friend" -- smart guy, said, "Of course he did it! Homicide detectives are the smartest of all the smart cops. They rarely pick the wrong guy."

This was from a guy who is never getting out. No one in that large room of hard core prisoners disagreed with him on that point.

[sinicalmicmusic]

my brother was called on for jury duty. he got his boss to sign a note that said he needs to be at work. that worked.

now please if anyone could help me out on this ive been wondering. alot of people have really no idea what there thinking when it comes time to judge someone. out of all the factors that could be twisted by some dumb ass thats out for blood or someone who has no idea what its like to be outside there house, why would it be a good idea to pick random people to be a part of something so serious? i know people who live in there own world and are very weird when it comes to "a normal thought process".

i would love to hear your guy's thoughts on this because im just not sure why they pick random people.

[voicegenius]

Very interesting case and I would definitely do it again! The PA got his shit down in this one!!tutt Gotta finish deliberating tomorrow.













Actually, I take that back...... I can't do a trial that lasts over a week... Only $10 a day and the food they serve taste like horse ca ca...

[henryrobinett]

Originally Posted by voicegenius

Very interesting case and I would definitely do it again! The DA got his shit down in this one!!tutt Gotta finish deliberating tomorrow.

Good you got one though. And that it's over so quick! You done did your civic duty! And see, the knife really never went in now, did it?

[Makinithappen]

How do they justify paying only 12 bucks a day. That really grinds my gears.

Oh? We made you cancel 36 hours worth of important sessions? Heres 30 bucks....

[voicegenius]

Originally Posted by iangomes

This episode was hilarious!!!

[henryrobinett]

Originally Posted by Makinithappen

How do they justify paying only 12 bucks a day. That really grinds my gears.

Oh? We made you cancel 36 hours worth of important sessions? Heres 30 bucks....

It's called your civil duty. It's a sacrifice civilians are expected to be willing to make.

[sinicalmicmusic]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

It's called your civil duty. It's a sacrifice civilians are expected to be willing to make.

how much does the judge get payed? why are a bunch of people who dont know anything about law going to decide if someone is guilty or not? if its that obvious what the verdict is then why do they need a bunch of people. if its a hard decision why would america rely on people who may/may not be a bunch of idiots. please refer to my last post as im still curious why this "civil duty" is the best possible solution to justice and crime. i may be a bastard for this but crap food and $10 a day is bs.

ps henry im not trying to "call you out" or anything.obveously im confused ......

[henryrobinett]

Originally Posted by sinicalmicmusic

how much does the judge get payed? why are a bunch of people who dont know anything about law going to decide if someone is guilty or not? if its that obvious what the verdict is then why do they need a bunch of people. if its a hard decision why would america rely on people who may/may not be a bunch of idiots. please refer to my last post as im still curious why this "civil duty" is the best possible solution to justice and crime. i may be a bastard for this but crap food and $10 a day is bs.

ps henry im not trying to "call you out" or anything.obveously im confused ......

Hey, I'm not a true and blue believer in this system. But it is, unfortunately, the best we currently have under this system. But it's not the best it could be.

The JUDGE is paid. It is his job. It's only a limited time frame for jurors. Even judges are expected to fulfill their civic duty to be called for jury duty. Everyone is.

The two parties, led by an attorney, argue logic based on rules of law. The judge makes certain those rules are upheld and 12 witnesses adjudicate the truth, weighed by evidence from the two sides. "Beyond a reasonable doubt," is the standard to "prove" guilt or innocence. In short that's how the system is supposed to work, I believe. Assuming guilt or innocence from the outset-- obvious guilt, as you say, is not part of the system. You must be as impartial as possible, not forming opinions as to guilt or innocence, until all the evidence is given.

Figuring 12 average citizens -- not necessarily gifted, bright or stupid people, but a balance of all is what is wanted. But care is given to not pick people who might have opinions based on experience or assumed prejudices. Assumptions are made that the pool of jurors is often stupid and certainly stupider than they are, and feeling that they can stack jurors in their favor or knock off prejudged jurors who they think would stack against them, it becomes a game of chess rather than truth.

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by Makinithappen

How do they justify paying only 12 bucks a day. That really grinds my gears.

Oh? We made you cancel 36 hours worth of important sessions? Heres 30 bucks....

Well - it is of course aimed at those in 9-5s, where taking 3 days out doesn't hurt them at all - it's not like they have to claim it as holiday, and the employer generally just has to swallow it.

I was called up for jury service last year - I wrote back letting them know I was self employed, and regardless of what they paid me for the actual time spent (over here I think it's something like £40 a day) it would cause problems for longer than that, because I wouldn't be able to book work in until I knew I'd be free - ie at least a week's downtime after jury service.

If they actually put up a living wage for freelance jurors, I'd have been up for it - my dad did it recently (think he was the foreman) and quite enjoyed the experience I think.

[henryrobinett]

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

Well - it is of course aimed at those in 9-5s, where taking 3 days out doesn't hurt them at all - it's not like they have to claim it as holiday, and the employer generally just has to swallow it.

True, most people who are self employed or who claim it would be a "hardship" are excused with few questions asked.

[voicegenius]

So here goes... Mom accused of child abuse. Fractured 7 month old baby's skull, ruptured his ear drum... basically beat the shit out of the baby.... Found guilty on all charges... MINIMUM 15 year sentence!

[henryrobinett]

Where is Sector V?

[Cosmic Closet]

I work free-lance. That means when there is work, I take it to survive. That also means that there is no way I will risk being evicted from my apartment because I have to sit in a juror room for days or weeks on end.
'Civic Duty' or not, it literally would kill my livelihood; I have no office to go back to.

So, should I get picked, I will mention that I have had a long-term affair with my step-mother; my inter-galactic communications transponder is almost finished, and I will have to have time to myself three times a day to pray in the direction of Graceland. Other than that, I am happy to serve....

[voicegenius]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

Where is Sector V?

Somewhere between Nashville and Mars...

"Sector Voicegenius"