Jury duty!

[psteve]

I just got subpoenaed for jury duty.
Hope I get a weed case. :D

[slipknotpsycho]

if you want to get out of it you can always go in there and when they ask why you'd make a good candidate say "sir, i'd make an excelent juror becuase i am very perceptive and can spot a guilty person just like that ~snaps fingers~"

[psteve]

I don't want to get out of it.

[slipknotpsycho]

i'm not registered to vote so i ain't gotta worry about it, but i would...

more because of the distance away tho... the nearest courtroom where i'd even maybe end up having to be a juror is like an hour away...

[delusionsofNORMALity]

whenever i am tagged for jury duty the first thing i do is go in and tell them that i am completely in favor of the death penalty, but only for judges and attorneys. i seldom have to stay longer than an hour or so.

[friendowl]

hahaha
thats what happens when you mess
with my friday the 13th thread

[Breukelen advocaat]

Unless you have a good reason, like medical problems, you can't get out of jury duty in New York City. People that start making outrageous statements are often not released for a long time, even if they don't get selected for a jury trial.

Next time I get called, I'm going to try to get a doctor's note saying that I'm not capable of serving due to illness.

[PHATTY LUMPKINS]

Chance's are good you wont get a weed case. But Im sure it could get Interesting for ya, Just never know.

[Nation_1ne]

Unless you have a good reason, like medical problems, you can't get out of jury duty in New York City. People that start making outrageous statements are often not released for a long time, even if they don't get selected for a jury trial.

Next time I get called, I'm going to try to get a doctor's note saying that I'm not capable of serving due to illness.

Out of curiosity why would you want to get out of it?

I can think of reasons why people may not want too, and it may apply to you also. As I said I'm just curious.

[Blindman0v0]

More people should do jury duty.You might get lucky and sit on a drug case and no matter what the evidence is just say not guilty.Jury nullification works and in the case of unjust laws its the only way to fight back.

[psteve]

But I WANT to do it. Why wouldn't I?

[MisterGreen]

i think it could be pretty interesting and i wouldn't try to get out of it.

[slipknotpsycho]

why would you want to?

[psteve]

why would you want to?
Because I am a responsible citizen.
And If people like us don't go, then the idiots and assholes are in charge.

[cannabis campbell]

Ooh sounds interesting, would you be getting paid for this at all?

[deadfan420]

I think it'd be interesting to do jury duty. It's probably one of the few ways that regular citizens have a direct say in something the government is trying to do.

I know, I know the judicial system in the US is pretty fucked up. But we regular people have to put in our two cents somehow. Right?

[Breukelen advocaat]

Out of curiosity why would you want to get out of it?

I can think of reasons why people may not want too, and it may apply to you also. As I said I'm just curious.

Because I've been on juries, and Grand Juries, and I've done enough. A lot of people never get called, or picked, and I physically do not feel up to sitting in a court room, and jury room, any more. I do not even believe in the jury system. I am NOT a "peer" of the (mostly) criminals and low lifes that end up on trial. The assistant DA's are just out for themselves, and half the time they screw-up the prosecution anyway.

They should have professionals to decide these things, not amateurs like us. I am not a lawyer, or a judge.

I'm just sick and tired of it - pick someone else. I've done my duty, and I have more important things with my time than sit around with a bunch of strange people that I have absolutely nothing in common with. I can't even eat "regular" food since I found out I have Celiac two and a half years ago, but the courts don't give a fuck about the jurys' problems - they're only concerned with the criminals and lawyers. Fuck 'em all. Like I said, I've done enough.

Being forced to sit on juries is totally wrong - it's a type of slavery. You can get sequestered for months, and I can't affort to do that.

[psteve]

I'm just sick and tired
You have a legitimate medical excuse. That's different from 'trying to get out of it'.

[psteve]

Ooh sounds interesting, would you be getting paid for this at all?
Nah. But I don't get paid most days anyway so that's irrelevant to me.

[Breukelen advocaat]

You have a legitimate medical excuse. That's different from 'trying to get out of it'.

We are forced to participate. Tell me why that's not slavery.

Criminals, however, are not forced, or even allowed, to do it - even though many of them know the laws better than we do.

[psteve]

Is it slavery then, to 'make' us all vote too?
Indenture perhaps, by some abstract of the word. But not slavery.

[Breukelen advocaat]

Is it slavery then, to 'make' us all vote too?
Indenture perhaps, by some abstract of the word. But not slavery.

Voting is voluntary. There is no law that says you must vote. As bad as indentured servitude was, and it was often VERY bad, in most cases that was voluntary also. They could make jury duty voluntary, or hire professionals like they do in some countries.

People that resist jury duty are liable for heavy fines and even jail time. If you don't show up for jury duty, they can issue subpoenas and warrants and make your life hell. That's just wrong, but if you support it there's probably not much I can say to persuade you otherwise.

[MajMike]

If you really don't want to do jury duty, don't register to vote, it's that simple.

However, if you want to participate in the democratic process by voting you also take upon yourself the responsibility of jury duty. So technically, you 'volunteered' for it by registering to vote.

I understand that JD can suck and be time-consuming, but I know I want a fair trial and attentive jury if I am on trial. To that end, I must hold up my end by participating. You cannot have your cake and eat it too.

Now, I have no problems with those with legitimate excuses, medical or otherwise.

[Breukelen advocaat]

If you really don't want to do jury duty, don't register to vote, it's that simple.

However, if you want to participate in the democratic process by voting you also take upon yourself the responsibility of jury duty. So technically, you 'volunteered' for it by registering to vote.

I understand that JD can suck and be time-consuming, but I know I want a fair trial and attentive jury if I am on trial. To that end, I must hold up my end by participating. You cannot have your cake and eat it too.

Now, I have no problems with those with legitimate excuses, medical or otherwise.
It's not "that simple". Registering to vote is not the only way they get you. In California, and other places, they use records from the motor vehicle dept. I would imagine that it varies, and other methods are used in different places as well. One man, in La., who has been charged with killing nine people, and possibly many more, was picked for jury duty by computer. The story is at the bottom of this post.

Making criminals out of people for refusing jury duty is even dumber than the laws against using pot.

In my experience, people will often go with the herd, when deciding a case, to get out early. Sometimes guilty people are released for this reason. This is particularly true around holiday seasons.

They send my wife notices every chance they get, although she's served a number of times. It gets to the point where you wish you had a mild criminal record so that they'll leave you alone. Other people never get called, and there is no explanation for this.

The trial of O.J. Simpson is a perfect example of jury stupidity, prosecution incompetence, or (probably) both.

I've seen people do this in jury selection:
Potential juror says heâ??s a racist and a liar
Cape Cod man's claims earn sharp rebuke from judge, may lead to charges
Potential juror says he�s a liar - Criminal Peculiarity - MSNBC.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11909495/)


Blind justice: Alleged killer drawn for grand jury
Computer picked name, not knowing man was in jail on murder charges
Alleged killer drawn for grand jury duty - Criminal Peculiarity - MSNBC.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19253809/)

[MajMike]

First of all I understand your personal position, it does sound like you have done your duty several times and have a good reason why you cannot now.

Secondly, the DMV process (as well as most others that select for JD) is again a voluntary process. How one can live in modern America without transportation I don't know (except big cities), but it is not compulsory.

Lastly, with the problems in our court system (I can't bring myself to call it a 'justice' system), isn't JD a chance to try and make a difference?

Just my $0.02. Peace.

[Breukelen advocaat]

First of all I understand your personal position, it does sound like you have done your duty several times and have a good reason why you cannot now.

Secondly, the DMV process (as well as most others that select for JD) is again a voluntary process. How one can live in modern America without transportation I don't know (except big cities), but it is not compulsory.

Lastly, with the problems in our court system (I can't bring myself to call it a 'justice' system), isn't JD a chance to try and make a difference?

Just my $0.02. Peace.

I do not drive, do not have a license, and have never owned a car. I have a NYS DMV identification card, which I need. They can get me from that. This has nothing to do with "volunteering" for jury duty, even if you have a Driver's License or permit.

I do not agree with the jury system as a method of determining the outcome of criminal trials, not just the anti-civil liberties aspects of forcing people to serve.

I am surprised that on a board dedicated to the freedom of choice to use a plant, people are in support of laws that can put otherwise law-abiding citizens in jail for not serving on a jury.

It's ironic, since the courts can routinely let vicious criminals go free on a technicality, but law abiding citizens are rousted and forced to work, under threat of prison sentences and heavy fines, in an environment they despise.

It's not just me, many jurors I've met are angered by this system. What this really means in terms of miscarriages of justice, the disruption of lives, and other effects, we'll probably never know.

[psteve]

I do not drive, do not have a license, and have never owned a car. I have a NYS DMV identification card, which I need. They can get me from that. This has nothing to do with "volunteering" for jury duty, even if you have a Driver's License or permit.

I do not agree with the jury system as a method of determining the outcome of criminal trials, not just the anti-civil liberties aspects of forcing people to serve.

I am surprised that on a board dedicated to the freedom of choice to use a plant, people are in support of laws that can put otherwise law-abiding citizens in jail for not serving on a jury.

It's ironic, since the courts can routinely let vicious criminals go free on a technicality, but law abiding citizens are rousted and forced to work, under threat of prison sentences and heavy fines, in an environment they despise.

It's not just me, many jurors I've met are angered by this system. What this really means in terms of miscarriages of justice, the disruption of lives, and other effects, we'll probably never know.
I think it's sad that people see it as a chore.
I see it as a privilege and a responsibility.
If you ever get busted, you'd better hope that someone like me (or you) is on the jury.

[Breukelen advocaat]

I think it's sad that people see it as a chore.
I see it as a privilege and a responsibility.
If you ever get busted, you'd better hope that someone like me (or you) is on the jury.

Once again, you are simplifying the reason people are opposed to it. We are not calling it a "chore". I do not think that being forced into somthing is a "privlege", either.

It is wrong for many reasons, with the first and foremost being that people without a legal education do not have sufficient information, and are forced to participate.

You do not seem to understand that even if you are opposed to a law, you still must convict those that are found to have broken it - which means that it is not permitted to vote not guilty for somebody being tried for a pot offense, or any other crime, if the prosecution has sufficiently demonstrated their guilt. I am against the criminalization of all drugs, and have had to vote on Grand Jury hearings to indict people. Thankfully, none for weed, yet, but that could be forthcoming as well if I get called and can't get out of it.

[Nation_1ne]

Once again, you are simplifying the reason people are opposed to it. We are not calling it a "chore". I do not think that being forced into somthing is a "privlege", either.

It is wrong for many reasons, with the first and foremost being that people without a legal education do not have sufficient information, and are forced to participate.

You do not seem to understand that even if you are opposed to a law, you still must convict those that are found to have broken it - which means that it is not permitted to vote not guilty for somebody being tried for a pot offense, or any other crime, if the prosecution has sufficiently demonstrated their guilt. I am against the criminalization of all drugs, and have had to vote on Grand Jury hearings to indict people. Thankfully, none for weed, yet, but that could be forthcoming as well if I get called and can't get out of it.

After reading your explanations as to why you don't want to o it I wholeheartedly agree. I think it's sickening that you can get into serious trouble, or get hassle just because you don't do it. Yet again it's another one of those frustrating situations the government put you in and you can't do anything about it. As I've gotten older I can't help but constantly feel pissed off with everything they do. It always seems they are interested in their own goals rather than the public's. Pisses me off so much just thinking about it.

[Breukelen advocaat]

After reading your explanations as to why you don't want to o it I wholeheartedly agree. I think it's sickening that you can get into serious trouble, or get hassle just because you don't do it. Yet again it's another one of those frustrating situations the government put you in and you can't do anything about it. As I've gotten older I can't help but constantly feel pissed off with everything they do. It always seems they are interested in their own goals rather than the public's. Pisses me off so much just thinking about it.
Try explaining to a group of diverse people in a Grand Jury room that meth use is a personal decision, or that magic mushrooms are not dangerous. It's like talking to the wall. I know this, because I've been there.

They've got eighteen-year-old kids (In my jury duty experience), with little knowledge or life experience on these juries, with foreign-born illiterates, racists of various backgrounds, alcholics, religous nuts, and other unqualified people - and they won't listen to reason. In fact, if the law says something, they are required only to obey that and cast their own opinion (if they even have one) aside.

It pisses me off to no end, as well.

[MajMike]

I think we need to make the discussion of jury nullification a requirement in briefing our juries, instead most judges prevent any mention of it whatsoever. The essence of the principle behind it is that our 'peers' can look at a law and say 'that doesn't make sense', thereby asserting the will of the people upon the court system. That scares the hell out of the upper classes and everyone in the judicial system, their fortunes and careers are on the line.

I also agree with you on any prosecution of folks trying to get out of jury duty, it does seem trivial (like weed) compared to so many violent crimes. I'm sure they only do that because if they didn't they would have trouble filling juries.