Jury Service

[ConspiRaider]

I was able to avoid jury duty for years, because of financial hardship, brought about by my being a sole proprietorship business. I develop and support software, and absence during business hours could really deal a terrific blow.

That was fine, for awhile.

Then California said: Too bad. No longer an excuse. You will take our $15 a day for jury service and smile, you toad.

So they got me into the Beverly (achoo!) Hills Courthouse. Made me jury foreman. I did Raymond Burr the whole (achoo!) time in the deliberation room and not surprisingly, we had a hung jury. The judge decreed that a gavel-shaped thundercloud follow me (achoo!) around and storm on me for 2 to 5 years.

 

[Delvo]

I was knocked off from jury selection in a civil trial presumably because the person suing was Navy yard electrician who had gotten asbestos poisoning and I disclosed that my father is an electrician. I also mentioned that I had actually heard of asbestos poisoning.

Even my dad was befuddled when I told him I could have been rejected cause of it: "What does that have to do with the trial?"

With some subjects, people who've heard anything about it before have most likely heard something fairly distorted and prejudicing about it, making them less likely to be fair and impartial.

 

[Dunstan]

With some subjects, people who've heard anything about it before have most likely heard something fairly distorted and prejudicing about it, making them less likely to be fair and impartial.

The other concern is that you don't want to turn what's supposed to be a six- or twelve-person jury into a one-person jury. By that I mean that if a juror has (or is perceived to have) personal expertise in an area, the other jurors may defer to him. It's like letting an expert witness waltz into the jury room and give an opinion without subjecting him to cross-examination or any accountability whatsoever.

 

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

I was able to avoid jury duty for years, because of financial hardship, brought about by my being a sole proprietorship business. I develop and support software, and absence during business hours could really deal a terrific blow.

That was fine, for awhile.

Then California said: Too bad. No longer an excuse. You will take our $15 a day for jury service and smile, you toad.

So they got me into the Beverly (achoo!) Hills Courthouse. Made me jury foreman. I did Raymond Burr the whole (achoo!) time in the deliberation room and not surprisingly, we had a hung jury. The judge decreed that a gavel-shaped thundercloud follow me (achoo!) around and storm on me for 2 to 5 years.

Isn't it so unfair that someone like me, who would consider it a treat to be on a jury and is constantly hoping to get called, gets booted from a lawsuit and won't be drafted for at least another three years and that someone like you is actually made foreman?

I actually tried to volunteer for it, which you can do in New York, when I was 18. The week I came back from my summer vacation. Really.

 

[ConspiRaider]

Isn't it so unfair that someone like me, who would consider it a treat to be on a jury and is constantly hoping to get called, gets booted from a lawsuit and won't be drafted for at least another three years and that someone like you is actually made foreman?

I actually tried to volunteer for it, which you can do in New York, when I was 18. The week I came back from my summer vacation. Really.

I suppose so, EeneyMM.

A school of thought amongst lawyers during the voir dire is that if they detect (or if a jury consultant in the gallery detects) that someone really wants to be on a jury, it's a red flag. That person could be scratched because it can indicate the potential juror has an agenda. You might have telegraphed that impression. Or not. People can be booted off the jury / alternates for no reason, or superfluous reasons.

The law is fascinating, and maybe you can just sit in the gallery for trials? I think if I ever do a book, I'd get my fill of courtroom spectating.

There is this weird thing about being on a jury. You do feel special. You know that after everything is said and done, after all the fireworks are over - you da man, you da woman! Buck stops with you. The lawyers well know this, and will go out of their way to win you over. It's a bit like being an actor in a film. There are all these other folks prepping and setting things up and fussing over you and meanwhile the scene is maybe just you and another actor. It's an odd feeling. It's also sobering in that they absolutely expect you to deliver the goods.

 

[doctoraudit]

I was on call for jury duty next week. I called for my report time and my number was not picked. How am I supposed to use my JREF wisdom to dispense justice now?

 

[richardm]

I'm looking forward to that remake of "All Creatures Great and Small". Take that, Tricki Woo!

CSI: Darrowby

 

[Cuddles]

Isn't it so unfair that someone like me, who would consider it a treat to be on a jury and is constantly hoping to get called, gets booted from a lawsuit and won't be drafted for at least another three years and that someone like you is actually made foreman?

I actually tried to volunteer for it, which you can do in New York, when I was 18. The week I came back from my summer vacation. Really.

Maybe it's one of those "Those who most want to lead are those least suited to do so." things. On the other hand, maybe it is just unfair.

 

[Moon-Spinner]

Several years back I overheard a person where I work talking about being called for jury duty (she was going to the selection process). She was going on about how she was ready to say "Guilty" no matter what, and added that she would rather send a innocent person to prison than take a chance on letting a guilty person go free!

I advised her to make sure she mentions that when she goes, and walked away thinking "Good Gawd!"

 

[joobie]

And if I was a defendant, I wouldn't want to be judged by people who are not smart enough to get out of jury duty.

what about the people who are smart enough, but take their civic responsibility seriously?

because (anecdotally) there are a lot of those folks.

 

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

I suppose so, EeneyMM.

A school of thought amongst lawyers during the voir dire is that if they detect (or if a jury consultant in the gallery detects) that someone really wants to be on a jury, it's a red flag. That person could be scratched because it can indicate the potential juror has an agenda. You might have telegraphed that impression. Or not. People can be booted off the jury / alternates for no reason, or superfluous reasons.

The law is fascinating, and maybe you can just sit in the gallery for trials? I think if I ever do a book, I'd get my fill of courtroom spectating.

There is this weird thing about being on a jury. You do feel special. You know that after everything is said and done, after all the fireworks are over - you da man, you da woman! Buck stops with you. The lawyers well know this, and will go out of their way to win you over. It's a bit like being an actor in a film. There are all these other folks prepping and setting things up and fussing over you and meanwhile the scene is maybe just you and another actor. It's an odd feeling. It's also sobering in that they absolutely expect you to deliver the goods.

You know, I think I did telegraph that I really wanted to serve. Just about everyone in my pool was grumpy, bored and disinterested throughout the whole process and I was the only one who looked happy to be there.

Maybe it's one of those "Those who most want to lead are those least suited to do so." things. On the other hand, maybe it is just unfair.

I agree with you. In general, it seems that the person who volunteers the most information about themselves, asks the most question and draws the most attention to themselves gets kicked out. It seems that the people who show the least personality, show the least interest in the case and know the least about the law are the ones who are picked.

It's the "peg that sticks out gets pulled out" scenario. Maybe the best way to get chosen is to say as little as possible.