Jury Duty

[Mischka]

Tenth time was a charm! I received my first jury summons within months of passing the bar, and I've received one every year since. I've been struck every time, until now! I finally got to fulfill my civic duty as an empaneled member of a jury. When they called my name, it took all of my willpower not to bounce happily in my seat.

So fascinating to see what evidence parties want to present, as compared to what is required by the law. Going to court is as much about airing grievances as it is getting a legal resolution to a problem. We quickly reached a unanimous decision (civil matter), and then spent more time discussing why the parties could not resolve their differences before trial before alerting the bailiff of our decision. Everyone took their role seriously, and I appreciated listening to how each person reached their decision and the insight they provided on the issues.

What did you take away from your experience as a juror?

 

[islandman]

I've been summoned three times, but have yet to be selected. Bloody waste of time, but as you said, civic duty and all. In NYS, you have to appear once every seven years.

 

[JohnnySavage]

I've lived here since 1989 and only been called once. I watched the movie, then sat there until noon. Then the clerk came in and said there were no Jury trials scheduled for that day, and we could all go home.

I got $15 for my time, but parking cost me $20

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The lawyers always reject me, tho I'm prolly the most impartial putative juror there. I've seen most criminal cases from both sides.

The last time they sent me home the case involved a step father who slapped his 13 year old step-daughter for cussing him. No bruises, no blood, no broken bones, no abrasions. He slapped an impudent junior asshole.

Ma prolly wanted him gone, and Missy offered a guilt-free eviction.

But it was a battery.

 

[trysail]

In a predominantly black urban jurisdiction, it is all but impossible to convict a black defendant.


The juries simply will not vote for conviction, regardless of the evidence.

 

[Mischka]

I got $15 for my time, but parking cost me $20

They didn't offer reduced fee parking? That's a shame. My court's parking garage is normally $10, but only $3 with a juror parking stub (included on the summons sheet).

 

[JohnnySavage]

They didn't offer reduced fee parking? That's a shame. My court's parking garage is normally $10, but only $3 with a juror parking stub (included on the summons sheet).

No, I live in Berkeley - East. We even have to pay 5 cents for each bag we use when getting groceries.

 

[Not Normal]

I made it to a trial once. The thing I remember most was other jurors reading more into the complaining party's life. It was a criminal assault case. The two main witnesses, the woman who was struck and her son were quite white trashy. The defense didn't mount a defense (which is his right). In the jury room a few people wanted to discount the witness testimony, because they believed the woman had skeletons in her closet and was guilty of crimes herself. I took it upon myself to wrangle them in and to only focus on actual testimony and whether we believed it or not. The defendant was convicted.

 

[Mischka]

I've been summoned three times, but have yet to be selected. Bloody waste of time, but as you said, civic duty and all. In NYS, you have to appear once every seven years.

I wish we could improve upon the juror selection process, so it's not viewed as a waste of time (which right now, it certainly is).

No, I live in Berkeley - East. We even have to pay 5 cents for each bag we use when getting groceries.

I get a 5 cent discount for every bag I bring to the store. That quarter makes me smile every time.

I made it to a trial once. The thing I remember most was other jurors reading more into the complaining party's life. It was a criminal assault case. The two main witnesses, the woman who was struck and her son were quite white trashy. The defense didn't mount a defense (which is his right). In the jury room a few people wanted to discount the witness testimony, because they believed the woman had skeletons in her closet and was guilty of crimes herself. I took it upon myself to wrangle them in and to only focus on actual testimony and whether we believed it or not. The defendant was convicted.

And that's exactly why it's so important to have a dozen people, so at least a few rational people will be empaneled.

 

[Saint Peter]

Don't forget your Homer glasses!

 

[Aquagal]

I've served twice.

The first time 25 ish years ago for domestic abuse. I was fascinated by how the evidence was presented, how the lawyers tried to sway.

The second time was the beginning of this year if I remember correctly, for possession of pot while visiting someone in jail. Being in a much smaller town this time and knowing so many of the potential jurors and all the questions asked of them and me was eye opening. Everyone's dirty laundry was laid out in public, it made me chuckle at times. We never got to deliberate because the dirtbag pled guilty or no contest or something before the end.

Why I say dirtbag, not for his pot possession, that was idiot enough, but from what I found out later. I went home afterwards and looked up his name in the court reports and he had a long list of evil misdoings.

 

[Not Normal]

I wish we could improve upon the juror selection process, so it's not viewed as a waste of time (which right now, it certainly is).

In my county you are on call for jury duty for a week. You phone in after 5PM and find out if you have to go to the courthouse that day.

And that's exactly why it's so important to have a dozen people, so at least a few rational people will be empaneled.

I was glad to be that guy. If I had let those people go on, we'd have to come back for another day just for continued deliberation.

 

[pointless]

i got selected last year and they sent me a letter telling me they'd send me a letter to tell me when to show up. they never sent another letter.

the end.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I'm not a lawyer but have consulted defendants who represent themselves in criminal trials for felony child abuse.

The law permits corporal punishment, parents can legally spank their kids in my state. Prosecutors try to get around it by alleging felony child abuse-bruises and welts.

But prosecutors step in shit when there are no bruises or welts on the child. And the parent need only remind the jurors that clear skin fails the standards for felony child abuse. If there are no marks the cops wont have any evidence, nor will the prosecutor. The rest is simple. Dad presents witnesses from school and the neighborhood who verify that Junior is an insufferable asshole.

Parents are never convicted, and the prosecutor looks like an imbecile.

 

[RobDownSouth]

Served on three juries.

Had a good civil fraud trial going on, came back from a recess and the judge announced the parties had settled, thankewverymuch, you're dismissed. Kinda disappointing.

Served on a "civil sexual assault trial" ...that was fun. Delta flight attendant got a massage, asked for her buttocks to be massaged, masseuse touched her cooter, she screamed rape. We found in her favor for the cost of the massage ($50), essentially refunded her money.

Best one was a two day trial, a woman had a car accident, hurt her neck, recovered. Nine months later, she's on Space Mountain at Disney World, re-injures her neck, now wants to sue car accident insurer for "delayed onset neck trauma".

 

[Mischka]

Served on a "civil sexual assault trial" ...that was fun. Delta flight attendant got a massage, asked for her buttocks to be massaged, masseuse touched her cooter, she screamed rape. We found in her favor for the cost of the massage ($50), essentially refunded her money.

Read about "Goddess Massages" a while back, essentially the female equivalent of a guy's happy ending massage. There are all of these hand signals to send to the masseuse that you want more than the standard rub down, like keeping your arms sprawled off the table so your fingers will touch the masseuse as /she passes by. No idea if it works, never tried. Every US masseuse I've ever come across is, if anything, very conservative in what parts they're willing to touch. Dude must have mistakenly thought he was getting the Super Secret Goddess Massage Signals if his hand wandered that far between her legs.

Best one was a two day trial, a woman had a car accident, hurt her neck, recovered. Nine months later, she's on Space Mountain at Disney World, re-injures her neck, now wants to sue car accident insurer for "delayed onset neck trauma".

Was Exhibit A the sign they post at the beginning of every ride, warning that if you have any neck or back issues, do not ride?

 

[pointless]

umm, a masseuse would be a woman, yo. masseurs are the ones with peepees.

 

[Mischka]

umm, a masseuse would be a women, yo. masseurs are the ones with peepees.

I did not know that. I think either a masseuse or masseur can give a Goddess Massage.

 

[oggbashan]

I've been summoned three times. Each time I ended up as Foreman.

Every case ended in a Guilty verdict on all counts.

I think the Defence lawyers got me struck off the list.

 

[pointless]

I did not know that. I think either a masseuse or masseur can give a Goddess Massage.

in my porn it's always performed by a woman and it's usually kinda, sorta almost rape-y, but what can you do?

 

[doctor_insanus]

I served on a Grand Jury a few years back. Interesting experience; we had a couple of murder cases, one of which was extremely messy. It wasn't much fun passing those photos around the table. Lots of DUI, a few drug busts, some burglaries. The one funny part was the town drunk, showing up again and again in public intoxication cases. Even the D.A. felt pity for the guy.

Not a bad week. I wouldn't mind doing it again.