Would ( YOU ) pass a jury duty screening ? YES OR NO ANSWER ONLY PLEASE.
(Yes )————or————(No)
3 Likes
What do you mean “screening?” Do you mean voir dire by the judge and lawyers, or the preliminary questionnaire asking if you’re a felon, or a relative of one of the parties, or other interested party in the case at hand?
4 Likes
Or perhaps selection?
3 Likes
Yes. I could.
2 Likes
Absolutely not. They always tell me that they don’t need me.
2 Likes
I will find out at the beginning of June….
4 Likes
It depends, I guess.
2 Likes
The last time I was ordered to provide a yes or no answer in court I asked the Judge if I could ask the prosecutor a yes or no question that would have no bearing on the case but would buttress my position that a yes or no answer was impossible to give. The Judge said “Go a head.”
I looked at the Prosecutor and asked him “Does your mother know you are still a pedophile? Yes or No only please.”
The prosecutor had no further questions or answers.
To answer the question Yes: on all of the background investigation stuff. Mebby: depending on the case. No: if they don’t want the truth.
Cheers,
Craig6
9 Likes
Even after 40 years in law enforcement I got on a jury in a criminal case. I was the foreman of the jury. During voi dire the defense attorney asked me what the defendant had to prove to me for an acquittal. I said absolutely nothing. It’s up to the prosecutor to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. At that point the judge asked me if I could be unbiased due to my law enforcement past. I answered blind loyalty was for fools. The defense attorney looked at the defendant, who nodded. I was on the jury. The D.A had overcharged the guy. I actually voted to acquit. We ended up a hung jury.
4 Likes
They tell me “no” after 8 hours and hand me my check for $36
3 Likes
I can’t confirm or deny that I’ve ever been on jury duty! LOL
I vote, I served! Of course absolutely, twice as jury foreman. What information are you trying to garner? Passed numerous polygraphs, passed background checks and have clearances.
5 Likes
My employer at the time paid my wages while on jury duty. The Courthouse is only five minutes from my house. So had short days, a nothing commute and 90 minute lunches. Guess you can see why I talked my way onto that jury.
4 Likes
I have gone beyond the initial paperwork a couple of times. Was dismissed during voi dire. The prosecutor wanted me, the defense attorney, not so much. I was honest.
2 Likes
Because of my LEO career I was disqualified a few times already. I believe I haven’t been notified in a while because of me being retired LEO.
2 Likes
Criminal or civil? Federal or State? I welcome the idea of fairly reviewing information on fact not circumstance. I’d pass on that fact alone. Having LEO experience is another story.
1 Like
It was a General question to see what other people think about it.
2 Likes
Not much room to think when your only choices are yes or no.
5 Likes
Many years ago I was selected to be on a jury, then the case was settled out of court. Depending on the case, I could see where my belief in ethical and moral behavior, our Constitutional rights, and being a member of several rights groups might not be what a prosecutor or defense attorney would like in a juror. However, I would be fair, and I agree with @bulldog, in criminal trials that it is up to the prosecutor to prove guilt, not the defense to prove innocence. Even the verdicts in those cases are ruled “guilty” or “not guilty”; not “not innocent” or “innocent”.
Everyone is biased, it is just a matter of what the bias is that is the basis of whether or not you will be selected. That does not rule out that one cannot be fair. Sometimes laws can be in opposition to morality and ethics, and our Constitution. The matter then becomes what holds more value to you, an unjust law or one’s belief in true “right and wrong”?
2 Likes
It’s a boring experience waiting for your name to be called, watching a movie with the volume turned way down. Glad the courthouse provided free WiFi before data plans became standard on cellphone accounts.
Then, one day, I was called and went inside the courtroom for the first time. It was a domestic violence case where a man discharged a weapon although the woman wasn’t shot.
All it took for me to be sent home was give the accused a “look” as if saying you don’t do that to women.
5 Likes
I am not sure what this screening you speak of is? Last time I had jury duty maybe 5 years ago I was selected to be a backup juror so I am guessing the answer is yes?
Just an aside… I would look forward to jury duty. I am retired, dont have many obligations that would otherwise inconvenience me and think it would be a very interesting experience. What I DO NOT LIKE is all the waiting around in tiny rooms with strangers for hours wondering what is going on outside. Pick me or set me free. You can only sit around in a room with your thumb up your ass and nothing to do for so long before you get annoyed. Perhaps if they fixed this people would be less bothered by the prospect/opportunity.
5 Likes