If you learn anything from the Rittenhouse trial, learn this: don't try to avoid jury duty.

[shadow64]

I got picked a few years ago and it was a self defense case (a fist fight) but the guy that was on trial was attacked by a drunk idiot so not guilty. That was first time I was call and I got picked that’s just my luck . Made me realize my life choices haven’t been that bad once you see other lifestyles I’m over 25 yr clean and sober .

 

[miguel]

Was on a grand jury once many years back. So fun and educational, seriously!

High profile case...one I had heard about at the time. I'm sure anyone over 40 or so on this site has heard about it, too. I answered all questions about my point of view honestly. Amazingly, I was selected for the jury. Judge asked if I thought I could be neutral and decide things on the evidence/facts presented and I told him, honestly, I thought I could. I'm one of those guys who thinks God will punish you if you lie under oath...I can't help it.

Well, even though I thought the guy was an absolute **** and personally did not agree with his world view, I was the only person in the group who voted he should not be charged. Man, were they pissed at me! Luckily I'm an ******* and really don't care what the group thought. Dude was not "guilty" (not sure what official word for a grand jury is, it was some time ago...) according to the way the statute was explained to me by the judge, so that is the way I voted. the "mob" wanted this guy bad. I was not going to be a part of it, even though his crime impacted my community.

He was eventually tried/jailed on other charges related to the crime, so I feel like I did the "right" thing and he still got time in the joint.

Go and serve jury duty when called. It will make you think about the process and just maybe you will help an innocent soul.

 

[ancjr]

Been a defendant, represented myself with no testimony, 1 piece of evidence, the result was a dismissal with prejudace.

I couldn't serve on jury because of family responsibility.

 

[Sigblaster]

Say what you want. Doesn't mean **** to me. I know what kind of juror I have been, as I Have Served, but I will avoid at all costs. Losing over $1k per week is not acceptable in my book. May be ok for you but not for me.

Not to mention a long drawn out trial would seriously hurt the buisness I run. The shop would essentially have to shut down if I'm not there.

I had to go find a magnifying glass to read the text in your avatar, because my eyesight isn't what it used to be. I was pretty sure what it said, but I wanted to be absolutely sure. It's a misquote but anyway, here it is:

"Any society that will give up a little Liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both".

The actual, proven, Benjamin Franklin quote is "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety".

Do you see the difference? Your misquote spreads the burden of inaction on society. It's like a blanket excuse to shirk your responsibilities. Ben was talking about the resposibilites of every man. The individual.

Your quote absolves you of personal accountability and responsibity, which is nice. Well, it's nice for you, Doesn't really help your fellow man though.

 

[buckwacker]

Whats your occupation if you don’t mind me asking?

Engineer.

 

[Nazgul]

I was seated on a jury about 20 years ago, third strike for robbery with assault. The defendant had been accuse of stealing a ladies purse and hurting her in the process. Got to the point were they can dismiss a juror they didn't like. The female defense attorney was asking all of us how we would feel if we were accused wrongly. My answer was it didn't matter how I felt, what mattered was the evidence. I was dismissed.

He was acquitted. Then 2 months later arrested and convicted for armed robbery.

Don

 

[ditcherman]

Got a several page form I had to fill out back in 07. Filled it out and sent it back. Never heard another word about it and have never gotten anything in the mail.

Shoulda left your screen name off.

 

[ditcherman]

I had to go find a magnifying glass to read the text in your avatar, because my eyesight isn't what it used to be. I was pretty sure what it said, but I wanted to be absolutely sure. It's a misquote but anyway, here it is:

"Any society that will give up a little Liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both".

The actual, proven, Benjamin Franklin quote is "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety".

Do you see the difference? Your misquote spreads the burden of inaction on society. It's like a blanket excuse to shirk your responsibilities. Ben was talking about the resposibilites of every man. The individual.

Your quote absolves you of personal accountability and responsibity, which is nice. Well, it's nice for you, Doesn't really help your fellow man though.

Can you draw the line somewhere though?
Or no where? Serve no matter what, no line in the sand allowed?
He said 1000 a week, and a (his?) shop would have to shut down without him.
When you get called you have no idea what the time commitment may be. Two months could turn into a quarter million for me easily. Possibly a million and a half in a crunch time. Employees would be gone, business would be shut down. And I’m small potatoes, just small enough so there’s no one to replace me and I keep all the balls on the air. Lots of people would feel an even larger impact than little ol’ me.
So, it’s not just a few hundred bucks, not even close. It’s certainly not “not lost, just losing out on it”.
So, can the line be drawn where a person should get out of having to serve?

 

[rem788]

Served on two criminal trials. One was 4 guys accused of robbing a vacuum cleaner store (of all things!), the other of dealing drugs. Interesting process. I will say, I have a lot if confidence in the process, although this occurred in a small rural town. I might not be so confident if it was in a large city location. During the selection process we were told we could only be excused for very specific reasons. One automatic excuse was if you were a veterinarian. Doctor? No. Vet? Automatic excuse, go figure. Rules must have been from long ago. Like I said, small rural town.

 

[Expat]

I have never even been put on notice of possible jury duty. I have been a registered voter since 1978. Had my drivers license since 1976. Lived in the same house, paying property taxes since 1992. I have to assume I have been blackballed somehow.

 

[Magyars]

Brush up on Jury nullification......it may be our last best hope in cases such as Rittenhouse.

 

[armalitesheepdog]

I was called once. Back in my 20s. I didn't want to do it then, But I would love to now. Especially in a self defense type trial. I got out of the first one when I told them if the cops arrested him he must be guilty of "something " I didn't truly think that. I just didn't have the time or money to serve. I would love to now but I'm probably blacklisted from that last time....lol

 

[Dustzilla]

I was called several years ago on my birthday. I went in with no expectations. As I filled in my answers on the questionnaire I was determined to do my part and be impartial if put on the jury. However, as we sat in the court and listened to the charges being read and the kind of evidence that would be submitted, and there were a lot of them, I could feel my face getting red. He was acting as his own attorney and he triggered my "Spidey Senses". When they called me up to question me for jury selection the judge asked if I could be impartial. I had to be honest and let him know I could not. I was pretty hard on myself for not being able to serve and do my duty. However, after talking to my wife I realized the case involved crimes that I am particularly sensitive to and I at least was honest and gave others who could be impartial a chance to give him a fair trial. I would happily serve if called again and pray that I could be the impartial juror that is needed to make the process work.

 

[Shadow01]

I was on a civil trial jury. I think jurors should be treated no differently than attorneys. You get what you pay for. Break it down. Attorneys charge as they please. The judge is compensated more than fair for being a civil servant. Lastly we expect jurors to serve honestly and faithfully for a minor inconvenience fee and not complain. An unhappy juror is not someone I want judging me in a serious life changing event.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I'm supposed to call the number on 12/21. Yep. Jury duty Christmas week. Hopefully it will be short.

 

[tackdriver]

That’s the only issue I have with it. $40 a day, and there’s no set amount of days... my family can’t live off that, and my company can’t afford me gone for an unknown period of time. I’d love to serve on the jury, but until I can at least break even, I have no desire to.



The trick is to say you’re prejudice against all races.

I'm right there with you. I'm even willing to take some of the financial loss, just as a civic duty. However, my job, my clients, just don't allow for me to be off the grid for some unknown period. I don't take many vacations with my family because of this. Even when I do leave, I'm always reachable, and generally can jump into work on a moments notice, (at worst the time it takes to drive and find an Internet connection). IF I knew I could leave if something serious came up, and an alternate could step into my place on the jury, I'd be more willing. Maybe this is a good discussion for some reform to match the modern world.

Or...the lawyers could simply get to the point, the important point, and nothing but the point...

 

[jwamplerusa]

There are people out there who are fighting for their freedom, or their very lives over BS charges. There are also people out there who are trying to get away with things that they should be convicted of. I wouldn't want to be judged by people, like the old adage goes, who were too stupid to get out of jury duty.

I haven't ever served on a jury, but if called, I would gladly serve. My mom served on a murder trial once, and they convicted, and it was a newsworthy event and they were correct to do so. My wife served on a domestic violence one, and they acquitted, which I think was the correct verdict, based on the details of the case as she related to me after the trial. She actually used her knowledge of defensive techniques I had taught her, as well as her general common sense, to determine that the guy was a big f'ing liar and the actual agressor, and not the other way around.

If I'm ever involved in a self-defense situation, and I have to defend myself again later in court, I hope that my jury consists of people who ARE smart enough to get out out of jury duty, but understand that it is their responsibility to serve and DON'T try to get out of it. I'm going to be that guy for you, if they call me. Will you be that guy or gal for me, if they call you?

Yes.

 

[xwing]

To the OP: Good point. Of course, most trials are much more boring, as true "self defense" cases making it to jury are rare. I've been called into the courthouse twice for jury duty, but wasn't actually called to a jury either time.

 

[Ziggidy]

Moved out of Marion County and 5 months later my wife got notice in the mail for jury duty; for Marion County. All address changes were done within 4 weeks of moving. On the card it stated that if you do not live in Marion, call the number.

 

[jsharmon7]

Gotten a couple notices but never had to show up.