jury duty

[musclehead]

I walked into a largish room with over 100 people in it.

I was the third name called.

after being taken in to the court room and read the charges in the felony criminal matter at hand and the voir dire was over I was the second name called for the trial. 

[Chrisj CMA]

I want to do a trial as a juror...called 3 times two trials cancelled and one I showed and was not accepted.....not even interviewed, they just asked anyone with military service to leave.  I guess they didn't want anyone with a brain for that trial.

[Wizzard]

I want to do a trial as a juror...called 3 times two trials cancelled and one I showed and was not accepted.....not even interviewed, they just asked anyone with military service to leave.  I guess they didn't want anyone with a brain for that trial.

That's discrimination don't you know?

[bassman]

The last time I had a call to Jury Duty I made it through the Voir Dire process and after all of were selected and seated, the defendants
attorney stood up and told the judge they would like to excuse juror #6 (me).  Judge said OK and I just got up and left with no
explanation or further discussion.  Never knew why and it was none of my business.  Interesting.  The first time I've ever made it that far
and it ended without abruptly.

[Chrisj CMA]

I want to do a trial as a juror...called 3 times two trials cancelled and one I showed and was not accepted.....not even interviewed, they just asked anyone with military service to leave.  I guess they didn't want anyone with a brain for that trial.

That's discrimination don't you know?

Ok, then......Im really offended

[Rams]

I consider jury duty as part of our civic duty and have always looked forward to the opportunity to serve.    So far, I've never been selected but, I really don't expect to be selected.    Conservative red necks are not what defense attorney's want on a jury.   

[Serk]

The way I look at it is if I'm ever accused of a crime and standing trial I don't want a jury of people who couldn't figure out how to get out of jury duty to decide my fate. Maybe it's presumptuous of me but I consider myself mildly intelligent, so I'm happy to sit on a jury and do my part to be fair.

I've been selected to sit on 2 juries, a capital murder case and a civil lawsuit against a fast food chain. Both were very interesting experiences I'm glad I was able to go through, and glad I was able to be a part of.

[solo1]

I have served on a jury involving a a crack dealer (Federal court).  We, the Jury sent a note with the bailiff to the judge asking a rational question concerning the evidence. The judge refused to answer our question.  After a bunch of BS, we found the defendant guilty.

Since then, and being over 75 years old (Indiana law permits declining to serve) I've not served.  I've been asked but refused. I was just asked last week again.  The fact that I don't hear well and have an 'active' bladder sometimes, has some to do with it, but mainly it was the judge's refusal to answer our question.

[old2soon]

Was called and selected while residing in Colorado. About 3 hours into the first day of what was SUPPOSED to be a one week trial they called us back to the jury room. It was an assault trial and about 10 minutes of being called to the jury room we were informed we were dismissed. Found out later the defendant copped a plea. Have YET to be called here in Missouri and I've been here almost 18 years. RIDE SAFE.

[indybobm]

About 20 years ago I served in a jury for a murder trial. I thought the evidence was pretty straight forward and convincing. It was amazing to me how 12 people can listen to the same evidence and come up with so many conclusions. Nothing scares me more than to be a defendant in a trial by jury. It really can be a crap shoot.  The jury I was a part of could not come to a decision and he had to be tried again a year later. That trial ended in a hung jury also.

Basically, A guy was living with his girlfriend. A friend of his came to live with them. The three went for a ride in the country. They stopped the car, the two guys got out and went to the side of the road behind the car to relieve themselves. The female in the car hear a shot. Her boyfriend got in the car and they drove off. The body was found by teens on their way to the school prom.

We were told that in order to find the person guilty, we had to be sure beyond a reasonable doubt.  We could not get a definition of reasonable doubt. 51%, 75% 90% 100%?. Seems like everyone was not on the same page.

On of my favorite movies is the original version of '12 Angry Men'.

[BobB]

I've only been called for jury duty once, many years ago.  Nothing came of it.  I believe I've now "aged out".  They do not want people whose value systems do not match the current thinking of the judicial system...

[Jess from VA]

My first military jury trial as prosecutor, we had an SP Sgt for stealing two USAF Model 15 revolvers.

With my one training ribbon and lieutenant's bars, I was a bit intimidated by the stern jury of senior officers.  

Doing my opening statement, I took a deep breath and my top uniform blouse button shot off and hit one of the jurors.

Shakespeare called this comic relief.  I got a conviction anyway.

Most states excuse attorneys from jury duty by rule, but not VA.  Not that I could ever get past voir dire (no matter what the issue, at least one side would definitely not want me).  Surprised I have never been called in 24 years (I vote).

We, the Jury sent a note with the bailiff to the judge asking a rational question concerning the evidence. The judge refused to answer our question.

Most trials are preceded by motions regarding what evidence may be admitted or not.  Many criminal trials involve a defendant with prior arrests and convictions.  Most of the time, this evidence of past bad acts is not admissible since it tends to allow a jury to convict because the defendant is a bad man, and not because he has been proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt on the current charges.  Prior bad acts MAY be admissible to show a common plan, scheme, design, MO with the current charges; but not just to show he is a dirt bag in general.

It is not uncommon for jurors to ask a question that gets into areas already decided before to trial to be excluded from evidence.  So the judge won't answer the question, and sometimes he cannot explain why without raising a red flag (and possibly causing error which on appeal results in the defendant getting a new trial).   It is the prosecutor and judge's duty to ensure a fair and error free trial.  Defense counsel is always happy to have some errors along the way so there is something to appeal a conviction, so long as the error is not his (ineffective assistance of counsel).  

[BudMan]

I has tagged to be the senior board member of a court-martial when I was in the Air Force, but have never been called in the civilian world.
One of my employees was a retired Customs Agent. He once told me, "Don't worry about Jury duty, you'll NEVER be seated."
I'm still not sure if that was a compliment or not. 

[Jess from VA]

He once told me, "Don't worry about Jury duty, you'll NEVER be seated."
I'm still not sure if that was a compliment or not.

To the extent it implies you cannot stay objective, open minded and follow the instruction of the Court, it is not a compliment.

The problem I have, is they would ask me if I would disregard all my training and experience in legal matters for 35 years, and my answer would always be NO.  I would be fair and open minded and apply the rules, but I will not be bullshitted.... and would absolutely influence the other jurors to my way of thinking if I thought that was the right thing to do.

Jury duty is a civic responsibility for every lawful citizen.  But I think I would rather get the shingles (again) than get stuck on a jury in an OJ Simpson type case that went on and on forever.

[Rams]

Was asked to sit on an Aviation Flight Board as a Senior Captain once.   A  young Warrant Officer came up hot on a pee test.   He claimed it was from second hand smoke because his wife smoked pot.   

Didn't really matter to the board, we jerked his wings off his chest.   He left the hearing balling like a baby.   His life dream of flying helicopters just went up in smoke.   He was allowed to resign as he had pending charges for the same offense which we were not addressing.

Some folks just don't understand that there are consequences to our decisions.    This young man learned the hard way.   

[musclehead]

I consider jury duty as part of our civic duty and have always looked forward to the opportunity to serve.    So far, I've never been selected but, I really don't expect to be selected.    Conservative red necks are not what defense attorney's want on a jury.   

how the heck did I get in? ???

[musclehead]

About 20 years ago I served in a jury for a murder trial. I thought the evidence was pretty straight forward and convincing. It was amazing to me how 12 people can listen to the same evidence and come up with so many conclusions. Nothing scares me more than to be a defendant in a trial by jury. It really can be a crap shoot.  The jury I was a part of could not come to a decision and he had to be tried again a year later. That trial ended in a hung jury also.

Basically, A guy was living with his girlfriend. A friend of his came to live with them. The three went for a ride in the country. They stopped the car, the two guys got out and went to the side of the road behind the car to relieve themselves. The female in the car hear a shot. Her boyfriend got in the car and they drove off. The body was found by teens on their way to the school prom.

We were told that in order to find the person guilty, we had to be sure beyond a reasonable doubt.  We could not get a definition of reasonable doubt. 51%, 75% 90% 100%?. Seems like everyone was not on the same page.

On of my favorite movies is the original version of '12 Angry Men'.

when I was a young man I heard that if you're guilty you want a jury trial, all you need is one sympathetic ear. if you were falsely accused you want a trial by judge, a judge can weigh through the evidence and find reasonable doubt pretty dog gone quick.

[Rams]

I consider jury duty as part of our civic duty and have always looked forward to the opportunity to serve.    So far, I've never been selected but, I really don't expect to be selected.    Conservative red necks are not what defense attorney's want on a jury.   

how the heck did I get in? ???

The lessor of evils? 

[Jess from VA]

when I was a young man I heard that if you're guilty you want a jury trial, all you need is one sympathetic ear. if you were falsely accused you want a trial by judge, a judge can weigh through the evidence and find reasonable doubt pretty dog gone quick.

While this may often be true, there are any number of judges who deserve the handle of MAXIMUM BOB (see the great novel by Elmore Leonard).  If you find yourself before Maximum Bob, you may be better off with a jury.  I have no problem with harsh sentences given to violent felons, but going judge alone with the wrong judge can be a big mistake.

[Jess from VA]

A  young Warrant Officer came up hot on a pee test.   He claimed it was from second hand smoke because his wife smoked pot.

Boy, if I had a nickel for everyone who claimed 2d hand smoke.... I'd have a buck.  That was and is a lame defense.  What people don't understand is that to get a positive drug test,  there is a minimum nanogram count that must be met, a count high enough that it pretty much rules out 2d hand smoke (maybe not unknowing ingestion, but who the heck wastes $100 of cocaine to stick it in some other guy's coke can?..... heard that one too).

If you are positive for weed (or anything else), but do not meet the minimum nanogram count for the specific drug in question, your pee test is characterized as negative, and command is not even notified (usually).  

Also had a military couple using coke on their fun parts.  Seemed like a waste of good coke to me, but they met the minimum nanogram counts and got a GCM. 

[G-Man]

I want to do a trial as a juror...called 3 times two trials cancelled and one I showed and was not accepted.....not even interviewed, they just asked anyone with military service to leave.  I guess they didn't want anyone with a brain for that trial.

That's discrimination don't you know?

That's the whole point of jury selection.  To discriminate against those that will be detrimental the outcome of your case.

[G-Man]

we had to be sure beyond a reasonable doubt.  We could not get a definition of reasonable doubt. 51%, 75% 90% 100%?. Seems like everyone was not on the same page.

On of my favorite movies is the original version of '12 Angry Men'.

Reasonable is very subjective.  Half the country believes Mrs. Clinton's "indiscretions" are within reason, the other half wants her jailed.

[Hooter]

   Only called once...Parked the cruiser out front of the court house, walked in the court room, Judge Beach asked me what I was doing there, I told him, he said you are excused. Never been called back!

[Oss]

would never go trial by judge      Dont trust the quality of the judge thats just my take on it

1 in 12 gets you freedom on the jury

and tons of ways to appeal

I have not been selected yet tho called for federal and state jury duty. 


Maybe after I retire in 10 yrs I will get lucky to watch from the jury box

[GiG]

... Maybe after I retire in 10 yrs I will get lucky to watch from the jury box

OSS, I got your jury box right here...

[scooperhsd]

I was on a court martial board as a LTJG - Disbursing Clerk "robbed" a fellow sailor.  We found him guilty, busted and basically he had to find another MOS. I was TAD onboard that ship, that's probably one reason I was selected.

Don't think any judge / Prosecutor / defense lawyer will ever want me - I'm too damn independent thinker for most people, and don't mind getting in their faces about it.  I have no patience nor sympathy for the stupid, nor for stupid rules. I absolutely do  not believe in sequestering a jury - it comes done to a couple things - #1 - no matter how gilded, it's still a jail, #2 - if you think you can't trust me to only consider what is presented in court - then you don't deserve to have me as a juror.

[vanagon40]

I have served on a jury involving a a crack dealer (Federal court).  We, the Jury sent a note with the bailiff to the judge asking a rational question concerning the evidence. The judge refused to answer our question. . . .

Jess from VA provided a correct explanation in his response.  The general rule is, in both Indiana state court and Federal Court, the Judge is not allowed to answer questions once deliberations have begun.  The stock response is: "Reread your instructions."

I am less familiar with the response in federal court than state court, but I can explain a very ironical aspect of this "rule" in Indiana state court.  PM or email me (my forum name at yahoo) if you are interested.

If the question was asked during trial, the rules have changed in recent years, and the Court may or may not answer the question, after consulting with the attorneys.

Please understand that the Judge's refusal to answer the question was not indifference to the jury, but constraints of the trial rules.

[vanagon40]

would never go trial by judge      Dont trust the quality of the judge thats just my take on it . . . .

Obviously a slight over generalization.

Maybe there are no fair judges in New York, but we have had some in Indiana.  In fact, we once had a judge that was so fair (defense biased if you are a prosecutor), that the State requested a jury trial in a drunk driving case of an elected official.  As the State had no right to a jury trial, the request was denied.  I do not recall the outcome of the case (whether a plea agreement or trial).

I recall in a bench trial before that judge, I objected to evidence.  The judge sustained my objection, granted my motion to strike, and admonished himself not to consider the evidence.

Of course, consistent with Oss's admonishment, my supervising attorney claimed that a bench trial before a different local judge was simply a "long form guilty plea."

[J.Mencalice]

Gave up on the "justice" system when the O.J. Simpson trial was "performed" for the entire nation to present the collective joke of lawyers, judges, witnesses, juries, and law enforcement officers that make up the circus and pander to the media.  It continues daily in every corner of this land and is perpetuated all the way up to (and including) the Supreme Court and it's members.

The laws of this land are a pile of horse feathers and deserving of the cast of characters who play in them for the purpose of separating any money that they can from whomever is on both sides of the opposing tables; then they go have a drink together and laugh about it as they drive their Mercedes' to their luxurious homes.

Guilty?  Not guilty?  Who gives a rat turd?

[MP]

I was excused once. All who were NRA members kicked off. A FFL holder told a guy what the legal length of a shotgun barrel could be. Turned out, he was off one inch. FFL told them his mistake. Feds did not care. Wanted the 5 yr mandatory. I stayed and watched from audience seats.  Settled after lunch.

[musclehead]

I consider jury duty as part of our civic duty and have always looked forward to the opportunity to serve.    So far, I've never been selected but, I really don't expect to be selected.    Conservative red necks are not what defense attorney's want on a jury.   

how the heck did I get in? ???

The lessor of evils? 

considering the nature of the charges it eliminated most women right off.

[musclehead]

Gave up on the "justice" system when the O.J. Simpson trial was "performed" for the entire nation to present the collective joke of lawyers, judges, witnesses, juries, and law enforcement officers that make up the circus and pander to the media.  It continues daily in every corner of this land and is perpetuated all the way up to (and including) the Supreme Court and it's members.

The laws of this land are a pile of horse feathers and deserving of the cast of characters who play in them for the purpose of separating any money that they can from whomever is on both sides of the opposing tables; then they go have a drink together and laugh about it as they drive their Mercedes' to their luxurious homes.

Guilty?  Not guilty?  Who gives a rat turd?

Itos, don't forget the dancing Itos.

[Edvalk]

I want to do a trial as a juror...called 3 times two trials cancelled and one I showed and was not accepted.....not even interviewed, they just asked anyone with military service to leave.  I guess they didn't want anyone with a brain for that trial.

That's right the prosecutor or defense attorney does their best to not choose anyone for the jury with a brain . I've been called numerous times for jury duty , only been in the selection process once . They only choose  people they think they can manipulate . If you look like you could form an opinion on your own they don't want you.

[Patrick]

I was excused once. All who were NRA members kicked off. A FFL holder told a guy what the legal length of a shotgun barrel could be. Turned out, he was off one inch. FFL told them his mistake. Feds did not care. Wanted the 5 yr mandatory. I stayed and watched from audience seats.  Settled after lunch.

Sounds a bit reminiscence of Randy Weaver.

[0leman]

Since I have been old enough to serve on a Jury, I have only been called once in over 50 years.   I have lived in 7 different states/towns since I left home, worked for the US gov.    It was when I lived in Wyoming.  Went thru the jury selection, they weeded us down to about 20 folks after a bit.  Then, decided I wasn't the one the wanted on the jury.  I was never asked a question.  I knew the guy was guilty. 

My wife has been on 14 juries over the years, been on three since we move here in 2010.  Some folks are more lucky.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Since I have been old enough to serve on a Jury, I have only been called once in over 50 years.   I have lived in 7 different states/towns since I left home, worked for the US gov.    It was when I lived in Wyoming.  Went thru the jury selection, they weeded us down to about 20 folks after a bit.  Then, decided I wasn't the one the wanted on the jury.  I was never asked a question.  I knew the guy was guilty. 

My wife has been on 14 juries over the years, been on three since we move here in 2010.  Some folks are more lucky.

You knew he was guilty without hearing a word ?

[musclehead]

I want to do a trial as a juror...called 3 times two trials cancelled and one I showed and was not accepted.....not even interviewed, they just asked anyone with military service to leave.  I guess they didn't want anyone with a brain for that trial.

That's right the prosecutor or defense attorney does their best to not choose anyone for the jury with a brain . I've been called numerous times for jury duty , only been in the selection process once . They only choose  people they think they can manipulate . If you look like you could form an opinion on your own they don't want you.

I gave them opinion at length, they still chose me.  they chose three men that gave their opinion, but the three women they chose were pretty quiet about the whole affair.

[Daniel Meyer]

Between me and the wife, we get summoned 5 or 6 times a year (county, federal, municipal).

Wife's had to serve a couple times. I've only served once (been selected several times but once the jury was set, defendants pleaded out).

The one I served on started as a felony evasion charge with special circumstances...but the sentencing phase took a very dark turn.

It treated me to hi-res, enhanced, ultra-slow motion, and from every angle, video of an innocent man getting his brains splattered all over other bystanders.

http://lifeisaroad.com/blog/2010/01/22/wheres-the-damn-erase-button/

Ugh.

[Willow]

I've been periodically notified that I've been selected for jury duty.  I do the responsible thing and show up.  I am always excused by one attorney or the other, a few times without even being asked a question.

[old2soon]

I've been periodically notified that I've been selected for jury duty.  I do the responsible thing and show up.  I am always excused by one attorney or the other, a few times without even being asked a question.

      BUT Carl-you kinda look like a T V personality-or a biker or both!  RIDE SAFE.