SLOdraw
Member
Here's how to not respond to being picked for jury duty.
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/8955000.htm
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/8955000.htm
Jury Duty:What has been your expierience?
- Thread starter 41mag
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sm
member
Numerous times.
Very educational and informative.
From quick and easy to almost 2 months on one case. Have been Sequestered once. Some were high-profile. Had my life threatened more than once by the family because being foreman "it was my fault the guilty verdict was reached". One this threat was in presence of Judge and Baliff.
[this family was not real bright]
Definitely will give a different persepctive of the law from what one reads and view on TV's / movies.
I do know we had a bunch of guys going to have a real serious talk with their teenage sons after having the deifinitions of rape, attmepted rape and assault defined.
I also learned that a petite 18 yr old with the will to live, continues to fight, can and will survive horrific trauma, after being beaten, raped repeatedly, cut severly - against a 190 # male, with a hunting knife - a rearview mirror is a defensive tool.
Very educational and informative.
From quick and easy to almost 2 months on one case. Have been Sequestered once. Some were high-profile. Had my life threatened more than once by the family because being foreman "it was my fault the guilty verdict was reached". One this threat was in presence of Judge and Baliff.
[this family was not real bright]
Definitely will give a different persepctive of the law from what one reads and view on TV's / movies.
I do know we had a bunch of guys going to have a real serious talk with their teenage sons after having the deifinitions of rape, attmepted rape and assault defined.
I also learned that a petite 18 yr old with the will to live, continues to fight, can and will survive horrific trauma, after being beaten, raped repeatedly, cut severly - against a 190 # male, with a hunting knife - a rearview mirror is a defensive tool.
jimpeel
Member
My wife was on a jury in Santa Ana, CA that was a murder case. When they went into the deliberation room they took a vote and it was 10-2 guilty of 2nd degree murder. The case had been to trial once before with a hung jury.
My wife was one of the holdouts.
Most of the jurors held that his actions after he shot the "victim" (he was one of those types that people cheer at their demise) was consequential to the crime. My wife argued otherwise. She stated that it was his actions up to and during the commission of the crime that count; and what he did afterward was moot. He ran away but she argued that anyone would do that and running away was not germane to the proceedings.
One by one, they changed their votes because she successfully argued her points and they ended up, after three days (actually 1/2, 1 full, and 1/2 days), finding him guilty of unintentional manslaughter with add-on for using a firearm in the commission of the crime.
My wife was one of the holdouts.
Most of the jurors held that his actions after he shot the "victim" (he was one of those types that people cheer at their demise) was consequential to the crime. My wife argued otherwise. She stated that it was his actions up to and during the commission of the crime that count; and what he did afterward was moot. He ran away but she argued that anyone would do that and running away was not germane to the proceedings.
One by one, they changed their votes because she successfully argued her points and they ended up, after three days (actually 1/2, 1 full, and 1/2 days), finding him guilty of unintentional manslaughter with add-on for using a firearm in the commission of the crime.
jimpeel
Member
A friend of ours was in a jury pool. The court convenes and they bring out the defendant. She said the guy seated next to her started figiting and squirming in his chair and when the judge came in and sat down he said "Your Honor. I've got to go. I can't be here."
The judge looks at him and says "And just pray tell why you can't be here?"
The guy points at the defendant and says "Because that man shot me!"
It turns out the guy actually had been shot by the guy.
Forty perspective jurors out the door and thank you ladise and gentlemen for your time.
I think the judge will think a little harder about simply blurting out a question from now on that may get him an answer that will corrupt the jury pool.
The judge looks at him and says "And just pray tell why you can't be here?"
The guy points at the defendant and says "Because that man shot me!"
It turns out the guy actually had been shot by the guy.
Forty perspective jurors out the door and thank you ladise and gentlemen for your time.
I think the judge will think a little harder about simply blurting out a question from now on that may get him an answer that will corrupt the jury pool.
Hkmp5sd
Member
That guy must be a real idiot. It is simple to get off jury duty. Just state the defendant must be guilty or the cops would never have arrested him or tell the judge you are a big supporter of "Jury Nullification".
jimpeel
Member
I was always able to avoid jury duty because I was sole source of support for my family. That is a valid reason to be exempted.
chaim
Member
Called three times, never selected.
First time was nearly 10 years ago. I was rejected by the defense because I was the victim of an assault and battery only a few years before. Incidentally, anyone who even knew a cop got released as well.
Second time, Baltimore City called me just after I moved out of the city. I returned the form telling them I couldn't serve because I no longer lived in the jurisdiction.
Third time was about a year ago. Defendant was a Muslim. The defense lawyer made it very plain (stated it outright) that she didn't want me on the jury because I was Jewish (my yarmulke made it pretty obvious I was Jewish). The judge released me and sent me home.
First time was nearly 10 years ago. I was rejected by the defense because I was the victim of an assault and battery only a few years before. Incidentally, anyone who even knew a cop got released as well.
Second time, Baltimore City called me just after I moved out of the city. I returned the form telling them I couldn't serve because I no longer lived in the jurisdiction.
Third time was about a year ago. Defendant was a Muslim. The defense lawyer made it very plain (stated it outright) that she didn't want me on the jury because I was Jewish (my yarmulke made it pretty obvious I was Jewish). The judge released me and sent me home.
Hkmp5sd
Member
Wouldn't that be like a KKK member's lawyer stating he didn't want blacks on the jury? Or the lawyer of a Muslim not wanting Christians? Seems like you could still render a verdict based on evidence.
The_Antibubba
Member
ktulu
I read about that case!! Killed her because the grandmother didn't approve of the relationship, right? I hope those two never get out.
------
Can Californians volunteer for jury duty?
I read about that case!! Killed her because the grandmother didn't approve of the relationship, right? I hope those two never get out.------
Can Californians volunteer for jury duty?
earthworm
Member
Been there twice: a MOST educational experience! If nothing else you quickly learn which attorneys you want & DON'T want to represent you!
Wakal
Member
I've been back in the US for four years now. Called up twice...the first year and the third year.
I was ordered not to report to the jury pool both times due to my occupation. Seems that the primarily illegal-alien-defending lawyer pool around these parts automatically challenges military members, and so the county doesn't both calling in military folks for jury duty.
Ah, well.
Alex
I was ordered not to report to the jury pool both times due to my occupation. Seems that the primarily illegal-alien-defending lawyer pool around these parts automatically challenges military members, and so the county doesn't both calling in military folks for jury duty.
Ah, well.
Alex
Nathaniel Firethorn
Member
Another data point
Called today. Was almost on a child-abuse trial, but the jury was empaneled before I even got to the box. (Whew...)
- pdmoderator
Called today. Was almost on a child-abuse trial, but the jury was empaneled before I even got to the box. (Whew...)
- pdmoderator
Warren
Member
There is no poll option: Throws out the jury summons form because what they pay is insulting, and by taking that much time off would seriously harm the family finances.
41mag
Member
LOL!Here2Learn,I think that that is called contempt of something.You are expected to,at least,show up.THEN you can make your case for exemption.
Warren
Member
A way back when when I had just moved into my own place I got a summons for the County Court in Los Angeles.
I checked off the financial hard ship box and sent the machine addressed reply card back in. Didn't hear back from them. So , cool no problems.
About one year later the reply card comes back to me all stapled around the edges and stamped "Returned by Dead Letter Office. Address could not be found."
I was stunned, the USPS could not find the County Court building even though the address was machine printed and was legible.
Even if the address was wrong, and I doubt that it was, how hard is it to find the County Court building?
It was around that time that I started losing respect for government and it's institutions.
I checked off the financial hard ship box and sent the machine addressed reply card back in. Didn't hear back from them. So , cool no problems.
About one year later the reply card comes back to me all stapled around the edges and stamped "Returned by Dead Letter Office. Address could not be found."
I was stunned, the USPS could not find the County Court building even though the address was machine printed and was legible.
Even if the address was wrong, and I doubt that it was, how hard is it to find the County Court building?
It was around that time that I started losing respect for government and it's institutions.
Warren
Member
41mag
The summonses in my county are not certified or registered mail so they cannot prove that you got one.
The summonses in my county are not certified or registered mail so they cannot prove that you got one.
Monkeyleg
Member.
Sat in the "jury pool" room twice now for three days each. I'm white, middle-aged, and somewhat conservative. Not what most defense attorneys are looking for, at least for the cases where they interviewed me.
By the way, pdmoderator, most professional motorcycle instructors will tell about the "twelve-second" rule. Contrary to what you said, bikes cannot stop faster than cars, and for a variety of reasons, including the surface area of the tires bearing on the road. The rule is that, if you don't do everything right in twelve seconds or less, everything will go wrong. Believe me, the adrenaline rush when something's in front of you probably reduces reaction time by at least two or three seconds, even if you're being vigilant.
By the way, pdmoderator, most professional motorcycle instructors will tell about the "twelve-second" rule. Contrary to what you said, bikes cannot stop faster than cars, and for a variety of reasons, including the surface area of the tires bearing on the road. The rule is that, if you don't do everything right in twelve seconds or less, everything will go wrong. Believe me, the adrenaline rush when something's in front of you probably reduces reaction time by at least two or three seconds, even if you're being vigilant.
unixguy
Member
No poll option for me
I've been notified by mail twice that I would need to be available for one week (call in every night to see if needed the next day). Both times they decided that I didn't ever need to go in on any of the days.
I'm feeling pretty cheated, but I suspect that even if I make it in to the jury selection I'll get tossed. (I'm acquainted with several folks from the DA's office as well as several folks from the LEA. Add to that I'm an IT guy, and it's probably another mark against me.)
I really would like to serve-- I feel cheated. A friend of ours has served at least twice on the grand jury in the same time that I've served none on any kind of jury.
My wife made into the "almost jury selection" group. (They were the next group to be questioned by the lawyers, but the previous group was enough to empanel the jury.)
I've been notified by mail twice that I would need to be available for one week (call in every night to see if needed the next day). Both times they decided that I didn't ever need to go in on any of the days.
I'm feeling pretty cheated, but I suspect that even if I make it in to the jury selection I'll get tossed. (I'm acquainted with several folks from the DA's office as well as several folks from the LEA. Add to that I'm an IT guy, and it's probably another mark against me.)
I really would like to serve-- I feel cheated. A friend of ours has served at least twice on the grand jury in the same time that I've served none on any kind of jury.
My wife made into the "almost jury selection" group. (They were the next group to be questioned by the lawyers, but the previous group was enough to empanel the jury.)
ravinraven
Member
Can't be...
...you're very familiar with post orifice people if you say this:
"Even if the address was wrong, and I doubt that it was, how hard is it to find the County Court building?"
rr
...you're very familiar with post orifice people if you say this:
"Even if the address was wrong, and I doubt that it was, how hard is it to find the County Court building?"
rr
George Dickel
Member
Couple years ago selected to serve for a civil trial. I was amazed at the manner in which people made their decision. Some were so convoluted and totally devoid of reason or logic that I could not understand in the slightest how they concluded anything. They should be neutered so that their blood line ends. 200 years ago their stupidity would have gotten them eaten by a wild animal.
Some based only on emotion with complete denial of fact even when presented with photographic proof.
It was no surprise we ended up a hung jury.
Some based only on emotion with complete denial of fact even when presented with photographic proof.
It was no surprise we ended up a hung jury.
I was called for a quarter, actually served on one jury. I was a case of an inmate at the state prison farm a couple miles from my house. An imate was accused of stabbing another inmate. His excuse why the blood on the knife he was holding matched the victoms was that somelse stabbed him and the blood splashed up on his knife.. When we went to the jury room the only question we all had was his sentance. The younger black guys at one end of the table (victim and accused were black) argured for the minimum of 2 years. The old white ladies at the other end of the table wanted to go for the maximum 15. Finally after a couple of hours including a crappy lunch, same as inmates got my fellow middle age white guy in the middle of the table looked at his watch and said you say 2, she says 15, I got somewhere to go this afternoon so how about splitting and giving 8. Everyone sighed with relief and agreedd.
ctdonath
Member
Summoned twice - both times were one month after I had moved out of the jurisdiction.
YankeeRebel
Member
I have been called once and that was for a civil trial. The plaintif had a car accident at a road construction site and said the construction company was to blame. He was hurt in the accident and went to a chiropractor. Naturally he as asking for compemsation for everything involved. One of the prospective jurors was a medical doctor. Believe me when I say there is no love lost between DCs and MDs. That Dr stated very emphatically that DCs are quacks, serve no practical purpose and hurt the patient rather than help them. Needless-to-say he was not chosen and neither was I after I said what I think of the justussystem.
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