Jury Duty

[mariner]

What a catch 22.

I know it is my civic duty and the foundation of our legal system. I was summoned for the first time and it is tedious. To me, I want to serve and do my part, but on the other hand I do not want to decide the fate of someone I do not know.

So half of me wants to serve and the other half doesn't.

Well I got picked.

I know it should be cut and dry, listen to the defense and prosecution and decide if guilt was proven beyond a reasonable doubt. But is it really that easy to decide? I feel honored to do my part, but a little nervous and scared also. You know what I mean? Everyone is entitled to a trial by jury and it's a great system until you realize you have to step up to the plate.

I cannot talk about my trial as it is pending start, but does anyone have any experiences they would like to share?

[tater]

Mariner,

I served on a drunk driving jury. I had the same feelings as you do, but I also have strong sense of duty.

I listened to the evidence in this case and went with my gut and said "not guilty". It was a hung jury because of myself and another girl. I could not in good grace convict someone on the evidence of a breath test machine that had been taken out of service 3 times in the proceeding month and the again a week after the defendant's test. I felt that there was too much evidence that the machine could have miss calculated the reading. I based this on the evidence that was presented to me. I felt that if it was taken out of service so much they should have not used it anymore.

I can tell you that some of the other jurors were really pretty upset with myself and the other girl, because they wanted to convict so they could go home, but I couldn't. Listen to your gut. You will be fine.

The process is a very interesting one. I haven't been called back since, but I would go again, because I always hold out hope that if anything happened to me that I would get a jury of my peers that considered themselves honest and straight forward and be willing to listen to my trial. We are all presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.

Tater

[mariner]

Thanks for relating that Tater! Good for you, sticking by your guns.
I hope some of these folk don't try to push any particular result just to get out of there!!

[HadEnough]

but not chosen.

In the back of my mind, I hoped I'd be called for a Collection Agency case!

::devillaugh::

(Any CA reading this - 'think about that!')

[tater]

HadEnough,

Divine Justice....Hmmm something to think about.

:roflmao:

[wdspeedbump]

i was in the jury pool when the infamous cullen davis murder trial was about to begin. knowing it would be a long trial, and not having the type of job that would pay me while on jury duty..i needed out. sure enough, they called up a bunch of us and there sat cullen and his attorney . when the prosecutor got to me with questions, he asked if i knew the defendant.
i said,"sure, he's a good ole boy even if he is rich. i hope he gets away with it."

JURY MEMBER EXCUSED!

later that afternoon they let my bunch go for the week. heehee.

[mariner]

Well it's over and I don't want to say much about it. I am glad I did my civic duty. We had a very good group as a jury. The court system in our county is impressive, especially for such a small population. I have to give kudo's to every one from the admins through the Judge, DA, defense attorney, magistrates etc. The case itself was a felony criminal case and kind of left a bad taste. I am glad it's over, even though it was only two days, half of that was deliberation.

On the bright side we as a jury went out to a very late lunch and were seated next to the attorney Willie Gary who was with a group celebrating someone's birthday.