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I don't know how they select people for call-up. I know it's done from the electoral register. Random selection would seem to be fairest and this would account for clustering.

You can claim excusal if you are called up within two years of serving.

Greebynog wrote:Trial by jury is utter crap. How can a bunch of randomly selected citizens come to a verdict on a year and a half fraud case involving highly comples economics? They can't. I couldn't.

Thats what cop shows are for. Do you not watch law'n'order. I do and therefor know I could tell the good guys from the bad guys. The bad guy is the better actor.

Kilkrazy wrote:I don't know how they select people for call-up. I know it's done from the electoral register. Random selection would seem to be fairest and this would account for clustering.

You can claim excusal if you are called up within two years of serving.

Most States in the US do it through the random selection of registered voters. This makes it easy, as everyone selected would automatically be 18 and a citizen of that state.

But seriously, why not just do it. America is one of a small number of places on Earth where you have the right to have a criminal case judged by a jury of unbiased peers, not politically motivated government bureaucrats. Doing jury duty is a small price to pay for having this right. Sure it's unbelievably boring, but so is doing tax forms or standing in line to vote, but all three are extremely important duties that we have as citizens. The Bill of Rights is something that requires both the Government AND The People to do their parts in order to ensure the well-being of the rights of citizens.

G. Whitenbeard wrote:

Kilkrazy wrote:I don't know how they select people for call-up. I know it's done from the electoral register. Random selection would seem to be fairest and this would account for clustering.

You can claim excusal if you are called up within two years of serving.

Most States in the US do it through the random selection of registered voters. This makes it easy, as everyone selected would automatically be 18 and a citizen of that state.

But seriously, why not just do it. America is one of a small number of places on Earth where you have the right to have a criminal case judged by a jury of unbiased peers, not politically motivated government bureaucrats. Doing jury duty is a small price to pay for having this right. Sure it's unbelievably boring, but so is doing tax forms or standing in line to vote, but all three are extremely important duties that we have as citizens. The Bill of Rights is something that requires both the Government AND The People to do their parts in order to ensure the well-being of the rights of citizens.

Because we live in a country of whiners who think the only important amendment is the 2nd. Better not take their guns away... or tax them... and make sure to keep us safe by sending our armies all over hell and creation in wars we shouldn't be getting into and lets not forget trying to impose one belief system above all others. But for those same people to serve jury duty... perish the thought. Quite honestly it is sickening that these are the people who claim to be true Americans and brand people with my outlooks as traitors. Oh well... at the end of the day I know I preformed my civic duty.

Fallen668 wrote:

G. Whitenbeard wrote:

Kilkrazy wrote:I don't know how they select people for call-up. I know it's done from the electoral register. Random selection would seem to be fairest and this would account for clustering.

You can claim excusal if you are called up within two years of serving.

Most States in the US do it through the random selection of registered voters. This makes it easy, as everyone selected would automatically be 18 and a citizen of that state.

But seriously, why not just do it. America is one of a small number of places on Earth where you have the right to have a criminal case judged by a jury of unbiased peers, not politically motivated government bureaucrats. Doing jury duty is a small price to pay for having this right. Sure it's unbelievably boring, but so is doing tax forms or standing in line to vote, but all three are extremely important duties that we have as citizens. The Bill of Rights is something that requires both the Government AND The People to do their parts in order to ensure the well-being of the rights of citizens.

Because we live in a country of whiners who think the only important amendment is the 2nd. Better not take their guns away... or tax them... and make sure to keep us safe by sending our armies all over hell and creation in wars we shouldn't be getting into and lets not forget trying to impose one belief system above all others. But for those same people to serve jury duty... perish the thought. Quite honestly it is sickening that these are the people who claim to be true Americans and brand people with my outlooks as traitors. Oh well... at the end of the day I know I preformed my civic duty.

I an an anarchist and I never claimed to be anything else.

In the US, I don't think that it's possible to *NOT* perform one's civic duty - if you don't show, it's contempt of court.

Fallen668 wrote:Quite honestly it is sickening that these are the people who claim to be true Americans and brand people with my outlooks as traitors. Oh well... at the end of the day I know I preformed my civic duty.

I'm not a true American and I never claimed to be. I'm just some guy who happened to be born here and is trying to make ends meet and have as little stolen from me as possible as I do so.

I don't really like trial by jury, but hey America is a pretty nice place to live as long as people don't suspect you of anything or know you at all.

If you really don't want to go, raise your hand at some point and wait until one of the lawyers looks at you and say "I will vote directly against your client/interest no matter what" done deal. Nothing illegal about it.

When/if selected I will do my absolute upmost to deliberate and decide fairly and justly. My problem with trilal by jury is that I've met a lot of people eligable to decide whether I spend life in prison or not, and I wouldn't trust them to choose a flavour of ice cream for me.

Back by popular demand (I guess )

Never meant to hijack the thread, but yeah, I've been convicted of Aggravated Battery for cracking someone in the head with a bass guitar (He was trying to stab me, if that helps your image of me at all).

But again, the upside of it is that I'll never hear anything about having to serve on a jury. Which I think is pretty funny, because I guess they have the idea that a felon wouldn't send even their worst enemy to prison, for any reason. Hey, I guess they're right, but I just find it funny that the punishment is usually bad enough to where they wouldn't trust a felon to put anyone else through it as well.

Jury Duty is important. Not because it's a civic duty, but because juries actually do a really, really good job of trying criminal cases, and do a good enough job with civil stuff. While the vast majority of legal cases never reach trial (between 90-97% are settled or plea bargained), those that do establish the law for those that choose not to settle.

In the US, anyone tried for any serious criminal offense always may request a jury. In federal civil matters, either party can request a jury, and if either does the other has to accept it. Keep in mind that for some technical matter (such as tax law), you can take your case to a dedicated court with specialized judges.

Basically, until the constitution is amended, there are always going to be jury trials in this country. What I'm surprised doesn't exist is mandatory paid leave for jury duty. The small businesses will go nuts, but small businesses end up in court a lot, so they will, in the end, benefit.

I actually heard the story from one of my law professors that a local magistrate (city judges that hear speeding tickets and the like) got called for jury duty at the county level. He ended up on a jury! So most jurisdictions do not eliminated lawyers/judges. Of course, most litigators will try to get lawyers off the jury if they have a weaker case.

I had to serve jury duty once. It was a criminal case, sexual abuse of a minor. We ended up acquitting on all counts, but it took a week and a half. After the verdict, the judge came back and told us that we made the right decision, which made us feel better.

No system is perfect but there's a big difference between a system set up to produce fairness and justice which occasionally fails, and a system that is set up for the benefit of big-wigs.

I did jury duty about 18 months ago. It was without a doubt one of the most interesting experiences of my life and I do it again in a heartbeat. I don't understand why anyone would want to get out if it. Unless of course your self employed and doing it would harm your business.

Anyway I sat on 3 cases. A Rape (involving a minor), An Assault and possession of drugs with intent to supply.

The rape was ultimately his word against hers so ended up a not guilty. The assault and possession of drugs were both guilty's.

The drugs one was the most interesting as the defendant was caught with a shed full of 40 plants and claimed it was for is own use. Whilst hardly a major operation it was still far more than I could imagine any one person smoking.

LuciusAR wrote:I did jury duty about 18 months ago. It was without a doubt one of the most interesting experiences of my life and I do it again in a heartbeat. I don't understand why anyone would want to get out if it. Unless of course your self employed and doing it would harm your business.

Anyway I sat on 3 cases. A Rape (involving a minor), An Assault and possession of drugs with intent to supply.

The rape was ultimately his word against hers so ended up a not guilty. The assault and possession of drugs were both guilty's.

The drugs one was the most interesting as the defendant was caught with a shed full of 40 plants and claimed it was for is own use. Whilst hardly a major operation it was still far more than I could imagine any one person smoking.

You should check out the thread on Club 520. Someone thought I was referring to
an upgraded Club 420.

Chrysaor686 wrote:Back by popular demand (I guess )

Never meant to hijack the thread, but yeah, I've been convicted of Aggravated Battery for cracking someone in the head with a bass guitar (He was trying to stab me, if that helps your image of me at all).

What kind of bass was it and did it survive? Inquireing minds need to know.

Chrysaor686 wrote:Back by popular demand (I guess )

Never meant to hijack the thread, but yeah, I've been convicted of Aggravated Battery for cracking someone in the head with a bass guitar (He was trying to stab me, if that helps your image of me at all).

But again, the upside of it is that I'll never hear anything about having to serve on a jury. Which I think is pretty funny, because I guess they have the idea that a felon wouldn't send even their worst enemy to prison, for any reason. Hey, I guess they're right, but I just find it funny that the punishment is usually bad enough to where they wouldn't trust a felon to put anyone else through it as well.

Speaking as someone who has been stabbed, It seems that you got a raw deal.

Well, I went to do my civic duty today and was not chosen. Two of the cases up this week were granted continuances and I wasn't randomly picked for any of the other cases so here I am. Waiting for my big $10 check, which I'm sure will be spent on undercoat, clearcoat and paint for a Stompa. Or a Stormlord. Or more battlewagons.

My Jury Duty number wasn't on the list last night so I get to see again tonight. Exciting times ahead.

Also, whats the difference between an American and a True American? Doctor Thunder and Fallen668 have me confused, so I would like a little clarity.

JohnHwangDD wrote:

Fallen668 wrote:I will never understand this idea that people have about shirking their civic duty. Yeah sure... jury duty sucks, but it is part of being a citizen of this country.

So was compulsory military service, and we don't do that anymore, either.

If you have absolutely nothing to do as a productive member of society, jury duty is a fine thing.

However, the vast majority of us have to work.

And jury duty will typically cost people a week's regular pay in exchange for free parking.

Perhaps longer if it's any sort of significant trial.

It's a pretty expensive obligation that, interestingly, doesn't have to be met by anybody that is actually involved with creating, enforcing, or interpreting the law because they automatically give themselves passes from this kind of service.

IMO, it's utter crap and should be outsourced to a professional state-paid juries, or else reimbursed at full wage value.

Incorrect. In Houston you don't even get free parking .

1. Tell them you're a vampire, or even worse an attorney.

2. Tell them Bob would love to serve. Who's Bob? he's right here. What do you mean you can't see Bob? Oh, sorry, he's hiding right now.

3. If you are near my age, just tell them that, 'back in your day,' we didn't have time for no high fallutin trials and just found the nearest tree. Then mumble something about the local kids taking the flowers in your garden, and that you'll see 'em rot in before the spring is out.

4. Tell the judge you have to go to the restroom. Don't come back. If they drag you out, ask if you can go to the restroom again.

5. When questioned at them to sepak up. When they speak up, ask why they are shouting at you.

6. Ignore the first voir dire question and interpose by taking out a quarter, stating "Innocent or quilty-you call it." and slipping the quarter into the air.

7. If necessary, fake your own death.

JohnHwangDD wrote:When I've been called up, the Judge asked if anyone was an officer of the court and let them go.

Not me, but the defense did. Thanks for wasting my day, bub, and why did you pick Bob over me?

EDITED - way too harsh. In actuality if I could serve for a day here that would be really cool. I'd have to be out by 4.00 though because thats how I roll.

Never meant to hijack the thread, but yeah, I've been convicted of Aggravated Battery for cracking someone in the head with a bass guitar (He was trying to stab me, if that helps your image of me at all).

Please tell me the guitar made it through ok.