tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post2586834042302007344..comments2023-11-03T08:03:15.599-05:00Comments on Killer Fiction: Civic Duty...Kathy Bacushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549844839816876766noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-85377869141026933702009-06-15T08:13:04.984-05:002009-06-15T08:13:04.984-05:00I was called for jury duty about 5 years ago or so...I was called for jury duty about 5 years ago or so. I thought it was really interesting, watching how things worked. It was a small county court, so there wasn't anything really huge. <br /><br />I served on one jury, and I forget now exactly what the issue was. We spent the morning listening to evidence, deliberated in the afternoon, and found the defendant guilty. <br /><br />The things that I really found interesting ... we had to leave 2 or 3 times because there was apparently prejudicial evidence that the lawyers had to wrangle about, so we knew there was stuff we weren't hearing. There was a suggestion that the female arresting officer might have known the defendant and been friendly with his girlfriend (who was on the prosecution side), but it was inferred so we didn't know for sure.<br /><br />The instructions to make your decision based solely on what you hear is, in practice, really hard to do ... it's very difficult to separate out speculation about motive, your impressions from what the lawyers either don't say or don't want you to hear, etc. The guy hid from the cops & we were told we couldn't consider that as guilty behavior, but how can you not?<br /><br />We were a relaxed jury and we meshed pretty well, and it wasn't a difficult case, but it was interesting observing everybody's way of thinking about evidence and coming to a decision.<br /><br />Even though I thought we made the right decision, I was a little nervous ... what if we were wrong? What if he goes to jail and his life is ruined because of the decision we made? What didn't we hear that would have made a difference to us, but that the lawyers and judge thought would be bad for us to know?<br /><br />I stayed after we were dismissed, sitting in the gallery, and watched the sentencing. Turns out the guy had a record of similar crimes. And that was kind of relief, because it made me feel like we'd made the right decision. And then I thought about how scary that kind of thinking can be, and why they don't always let you know the defendant has a criminal record. Just because they did it before doesn't mean they did it this time. You have to decide based on the circumstances of the current issue.<br /><br />I've moved since then, and if I'm called up, I'll serve again. I found it fascinating. Sometimes I wish I didn't have to work for a living, so I could spend time sitting in court rooms. Lot's of really interesting interactions.<br /><br />ShawnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-60717770627268256572009-06-12T01:35:33.043-05:002009-06-12T01:35:33.043-05:00I actually wanted to do at least one jury duty in ...I actually wanted to do at least one jury duty in my life. See I got a notice that I was to report to Jury Duty. So I wanted to do it but need an interpreter for the deaf, so I told them and they said, we'll excuse you and I kept saying NO, I want to serve. They wouldn't let me! They finally get someone who wants to serve and they say no. <br /><br />Happy Birthday to your dad!!Caffeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11830854922444380155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-53704612219156695272009-06-11T21:55:40.826-05:002009-06-11T21:55:40.826-05:00Happy Birthday to your Dad! My birthday is the da...Happy Birthday to your Dad! My birthday is the day before on the 13th. (29 again this year.) Hope its a good one for him.<br /><br />I've never been selected for a jury. But, I've been through a murder trial. My foster brother was murdered by his biological father during an weekend visitation. Not fun at all. On behalf of the victim's loved ones and families, THANK YOU to everyone who serves on a jury. (And the judges, police, and lawyers.) Your time and service is appreciated.Refhaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09064218599795539844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-67544257702688106942009-06-11T20:22:05.489-05:002009-06-11T20:22:05.489-05:00I'm a lawyer, so it's highly unlikely I wi...I'm a lawyer, so it's highly unlikely I will ever be selected as a juror. However, having selected juries, I can tell you it is an exceedingly boring selection process on the other side. At least for me and others I know. I wouldn't mind sitting on a jury though - that's way more interesting to me, plus I wouldn't have to do all the work for the trial!Shelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00861322130455818298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-85421265599709612792009-06-11T18:08:32.926-05:002009-06-11T18:08:32.926-05:00Kathy,
I haven't been called in a while. I f...Kathy,<br /><br />I haven't been called in a while. I find it very interesting.<br /><br />Great post.<br /><br />And tell your dad happy birthday!<br />CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-45221962964305519592009-06-11T15:06:15.416-05:002009-06-11T15:06:15.416-05:00LOL - In sixteen years, I was never called for jur...LOL - In sixteen years, I was never called for jury duty until three weeks before I took the Texas bar. I was seated next to a retired Houston police officer. Since it was a car accident case, we figured we'd be the first ones excused. Not only were we both tapped, I got elected as foreman.Suzan Hardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04600258874634909988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-58778232169475557162009-06-11T14:50:47.681-05:002009-06-11T14:50:47.681-05:00I have served on a civil jury and on Grand Jury. I...I have served on a civil jury and on Grand Jury. I'll tale the civil jury anyday.<br />Grand Jury was interesting but hard. We had to figure out if there was enough evidence to indict a man for murder.<br />Civil jury was a vehicular manslaughter case, with several degrees of guilt.<br />I am so glad I was not the foreman of that jury. The poor man was about driven crazy with people changing their mind on the degree of guilt.<br /><br />Both my husband and I have served on juries numerous times. We are getting to the age not(in our state it is 70) where we will not be called to serve again.Estellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04199693275287344161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-70522087503405137992009-06-11T14:29:03.687-05:002009-06-11T14:29:03.687-05:00I've been called for jury duty but never had t...I've been called for jury duty but never had to serve. I've often wondered why they make a person come down and sit through an entire day of questioning if they have no intention of picking them. One time, I told them from the get go that I knew all the parties involved and even wrote articles about the case in the local paper. "Can you be impartial?" Well, duh! Sure, I said, I can try and I would hope I could. (sigh)LuAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13049897327581610278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-25211102846372870492009-06-11T10:26:44.984-05:002009-06-11T10:26:44.984-05:00I have been a registered voter for harrumph years ...I have been a registered voter for harrumph years and never been called for jury duty. In that time I've lived in four different states, and nothing. And I've always wanted to do it too.<br /><br />I think it would be interesting. I don't think I'd like to have to decide if someone lives or dies, but the rest I could handle. Okay, no sequestering (sp?), but I still think the rest would be cool.Terri Osburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17176989488447450585noreply@blogger.com