[GhostUser]

I've been summonsed. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/bigcry.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> In fact, I've got some little orientation meeting to go to tonight. My fingers are crossed that they cross me off of their list of folks to choose from.<br><br><br><br>
Anybody else ever have jury duty?

 

[Seadolphin]

Sorry to hear you have to go through this. Good luck getting out of it!

 

[Jon]

Its always been one of those things I've never looked forward to happening, and so far it hasn't happened. I'm not sure how I'd cope having to judge other people. Fingers crossed it doesn't happen for you.

 

[Thalia]

Where's you guys' patriotic spirit? Just don't ever complain about another jury verdict. Boy. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[KC Kid]

Oh my God, this may sound strange, but I absolutely love jury duty. I've been summonsed three times and once got called for official action. It truly is an educational experience and is not as bad as it is made out to be. I sat in on a DUI case, it was so funny when the judge said, Mr. Dunn do you drink alcohol?? Hey judge, I got a six pack waiting for me in the fridge...so why don't you hurry the hell up. We nailed the DUI offender, trying to get off for drinking and driving. Sent him up the river....not really, but he got a hefty fine and his driving priviledges taken away.

 

[GhostUser]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block"><i>Originally posted by Thalia</i><br><br><b>Where's you guys' patriotic spirit? Just don't ever complain about another jury verdict. Boy. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""></b></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Heh. Patriotism? Don't get me started. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br><br><br>
Well, the orientation was pretty painless. We've basically been guaranteed that we (me and the other 74 potential jurors) won't be hearing a big felony case, like murder and such. And most cases seem to be settled before the trial anyway, according to the sherriff and the judge...<br><br><br><br>
I guess I was expecting something a little more strenuous and annoying, but after the orientation I feel a bit better. And I got paid $30 for going to that meeting tonight. Sweet. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Tame]

I have yet to be on a jury. I was called for service once. I got bounced. Think it was the "Kill 'Em All and Let God Sort 'Em Out" T-shirt?

 

[Michael]

I think I'd enjoy it. Anything that gets me off of the night shift and out of work for a few days can't be all bad.

 

[LadyFaile]

well i know if you were witness to or victim of a similar event in your past, you can get out of it. like say it was a case of assault and you'd been assaulted before, all you do is tell the judge that you'd be biased because of it and they let you off the hook.<br><br><br><br>
i wonder though, if you had no transportation and you were called in, would they provide a way there and back or reimburse you the cost for a train ticket or whatever, or bounce you?

 

[Skylark]

I have happy dreams about being called in for jury duty. I think I'd love it! I have this tendency of trying to find positives in things other people complain about. I'd probably be that one person holding back the jury from being unanimous, though, because I'm always in search of more info to make up my mind on topics I'm not sure about.

 

[Red]

My first and only time I was called up I wound up serving in an attempted murder case. Five days of testimony involving infant molestation, drug dealing and an international kidnapping. The shooting victim was the biggest scumbag you can imagine. Both the defendant (a woman civil engineer) and the victim were living lives that, for all intents and purposes, were completely normal on the surface. OTOH, their private lives were the stuff of made-for-TV movies. The woman had gotten screwed over by the system for a decade, eventually losing everything to this guys lawyer. In the end she snapped. The victim was a jilted lover, a stalker with a good lawyer, and he completely manipulated the system. Using the courts, this guy was able to ruin her life.<br><br><br><br>
We all agreed in delibrations that it was unfortunate this wasn't a murder trial instead of attempted. Still, eventually we found the defendant guilty.<br><br><br><br>
Like KC said, it was an educational experience. Not enjoyable, but certainly an eye opener. Seeing this firsthand, I now know for certain that, in the end, justice has as much to do with who your lawyer is as anything else.

 

[Thalia]

Although I don't think our jury system is perfect, I am glad that citizens have some input into the legal system. I have no doubt being called for jury duty would inconvenience me, but I am not going to complain about the fact that I live in a country where my opinion actually counts, and trials are decided by a single, biased judge. Furthermore, it would be an excellent learning opportunity.