Jury Duty

[QC]

I have been on Jury Duty for sorta the last couple of weeks. The sorta is because we only worked on Tuesday and Wednesday last week and Tuesday this. I was selected and heard a criminal case involving Assault on Federal Officers. So this was a Federal trial and I was surprised how much like Television it really was. Lots of Objections and sidebars and recesses and motions and denied requests for new evidence etc. etc.

Well he was guilty and he was also drunk. Guilty of two of three Assault charges, and considering he was already a Federal prisoner, the fact that he was drunk was interesting . . . I don't think it was a fine Single Malt, and although I would've chosen a Bloody Mary for a 6:00 AM binge I figure it was not properly garnished with celery salt and a celery stalk . . . Anyway, basically he attacked two guards and a third one fell down and hurt his knee trying to help (not-guilty count). I ended up as the Foreman and we got through deliberations in about an hour and a half.

Fun experience actually and we had a great Judge. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. And despite my disdain for those who choose to hurt others, I couldn't help but feel some sympathy for this Native American who will more than likely live life in and out of (mostly in) prison. What a waste

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Jury Duty

Yea, seems like every 2 years, they get me.
Not so bad since I am self employed and work nights.
Both civil and criminal courts.
Sure see all kinds come through the justice system for sure.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Jury Duty

never been called.

 

[QC]

Re: Jury Duty

They told me the only list they pull names from is registered voters . . .

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Jury Duty

that's correct, still never been called.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Jury Duty

that's correct, still never been called.

They don't like you.

 

[JB]

Re: Jury Duty

I get called every couple of years. All the cases I heard were so open and shut verdicts took less than an hour.

Lately, though, I am excused because I am over 70. Danged lawyers don't seem to believe we can be fair. The real reason is that we can't sit still or be too far from a bathroom for several hours at a crack.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Jury Duty

They just don't like it when you introduce the term "whippersnapper" into the verdict..

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Jury Duty

They just don't like it when you introduce the term "whippersnapper" into the verdict..

Whippersnapper.... LMAO

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Jury Duty

I've been called twice and served on one jury. Domestic assault case where the girlfriend had changed her mind and tried to defend him.
Her friend wasn't buying it and testified for the prosecution.
He was guilty and we all agreed the verdict was simple.
It was very interesting and I would do it again in a heartbeat also.

 

[tommays]

Re: Jury Duty

It is a duty

But around here you can get called into federal grand jury duty(in NYC AND TRAVEL THERE) which can sit for MONTHS


Gotta hope you job does there duty on that one




Tommays

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Jury Duty

The only people that I saw that were excited about it were the ones getting paid to be there......
I did it once, got to listen to two days of BS & then the guy pleaded out......
What a waste of time......​

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Jury Duty

Yes, every two years for me too. I actually enjoy it. It's like CourtTV only in person. Very interesting.


BTW, why was he not guilty for the guard who hurt his knee trying to help? Because he was already a prisoner maybe and the guard has a duty to respond??

The law system facinates me. I often wish I would have gone to law school.

 

[QC]

Re: Jury Duty

BTW, why was he not guilty for the guard who hurt his knee trying to help?

It was because to find him guilty of assault our instructions required intent. When the guard tried to help the two who were being assaulted, he grabbed the prisoner's head and twisted to get him to let go. As he did so, he (the guard) fell to the floor and landed on his left knee cap. The defendant had no time to mentally conceive intent to injure that particular guard. In fact he never saw him as he was approached from behind, so the act of twisting the prisoner's head and simultaneously falling could not have been "intended" by the defendant.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Jury Duty

I know how the system works, I was on Judge Jerry.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Jury Duty

Interesting QC. I would have thought he would have been liable the same way an arsonist is liable when a fire fighter is injured battling a blaze. There was no intent to injure the fireman, but for the fact he started the fire...

 

[QC]

Re: Jury Duty

I expected the same thing DR, but not the case in this Federal trial. Maybe those arsonist type rules are State?

 

[JCF350]

Re: Jury Duty

They told me the only list they pull names from is registered voters . . .

FLA went to drivers licenses. Don't know if they changed back or not. Least ways I got a notice from Marion County once.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Jury Duty

Been called, but never chosen ... when in business in a small town, seem to know everyone - sold cars to the lawyers, the parents, the cousins, etc. Its like being the last one picked for a team ! Last Jury duty call was for a case involving someone who broke up and stole from a car wash. My brother just so happened to own the car wash, guess they weren't going to pick me for that one!

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Jury Duty

They would never call me because I see through their crap.

Why did you find the guy guilty and destroy a perfectly good life over a single mistake he made? I would never do that. That's why they don't call me for jury duty. You never heard the whole story anyway. They do there best to screw everybody over. It's all a racket for some lawyers to make money.