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

[actaeon277]

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.

Summoned 5 times, served twice.

Sounds like he'd done his duty.
Why are you still attacking him?

 

[Libertarian01]

I have been called several times, sat int the jury box through voir dire, sent on my merry way.

I would be happy to serve as an impartial juror but they won't let me.

Criminal: I worked as a corrections officer long ago, so every defense attorney presumes I will be biased against their client - "bye."

Civil: I worked in insurance many years ago, so every plaintiff's attorney presumes I will be biased against a big settlement - "bye."

As neutral and objective as I would truly try to be, the attorneys have to look at the reality of group biases that DO exist. As such, they are compelled to shape the jury in the most favorable way toward their clients interests.

It is a shame that we have created such a convoluted process, but we have.

Regards,

Doug

 

[j706]

I was called once. On the very first question the defense asked, I was sent on my way.

 

[El Conquistador]

I got called once for a attempted murder trial and I knew I would not be seated because I was friends with the defendant and most of the law enforcement associated with the case. So during jury selection when they read the names of everyone involved, the judge asked us to raise our hands if we knew them, I raised my hand almost every time. I thought no way they are going to keep me but I wasn’t excused right a way, after a few hours we broke for lunch then first order of business after lunch the prosecutor struck me from the jury. Go figure

 

[klausm]

I have been called several times, actually sat on 2. Interesting experience both times. I am lucky for where I worked, they paid the difference in your pay

 

[blues bondsman]

My wife and I seem to get a card in the mail about one time every year, we have both served.
I was a Bail Agent at the time and was sure that would have gotten me removed, The defense acted as though they were glad to see me so...
I gladly serve and its as important as voting in my book.

 

[KellyinAvon]

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

Jury duty on Christmas: sounds like an epic thread or maybe a country song.

 

[carry205]

Hello all! Interesting thread!
While living in Illinois, I had several opportunities to serve for Jury Duty. I was always chosen to serve. My employer considered it our civic duty, therefore, I was paid my usual wage, minus what I received from the county. So, I had no reservations about serving.
The first trial was a civil trial, a lawsuit arising from a traffic accident which resulted in the victim being in a wheelchair the rest of her life. That was a one day trial, and we found for the victim. The second trial several years later, was a criminal trial in which the accused murdered his girlfriend. That one went about a week, and had to be sequestered during deliberations. We found him guilty.
The third time I was called was for Grand Jury duty: meaning, we had to decide which cases proceeded to regular trial. That was interesting, because we got to hear ALL the evidence, and ALL the testimony from potential witnesses, none of it being precluded from being heard or seen on video. As a side note, grand jury duty consisted of weekly gatherings, every Tuesday, for 13 weeks. When I told my supervisor how long I would be gone, he was miffed. He had to cover my absence with overtime for those 13 weeks. He was clearly not pleased with my situation; I felt I needed to put a stop to this, so I reached across his desk, picked up his phone, and started to dial the States Attorney’s office. He asked me who I was calling, (he thought the Union), I said I’m calling the State’s Attorney’s office. The States Attorney told us if any of us receive any flak from our employers, to call it in and he would deal with it. My supervisor grabbed the phone from my hand and told me to get out of his office. Afterward, I did notify my Union, and the State’s Attorney as well. I gave them my supervisor’s name. Don’t know if he ever got a call or not, but our interactions were more cordial after that.
The last time I served was for Federal Jury duty. That was a trial for a guy who robbed a bank, and got caught. That one lasted 3 or 4 days, we found him guilty.
All in all, those instances were very eye opening for me, seeing how the justice system actually works, and the checks and balances that are in place to assure the American system of justice put in place in our Constitution is fair; despite what current politicians and pundits are espousing from their pulpits. Do you hear me Joe and Kamala?

 

[skydelta34]

How can you complain about the pay when you can get all that asian food (hopefully it isn't on a boat waiting to come in the port.)

 

[BigRed]

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

AMEN

 

[rob63]

I got called once for a attempted murder trial and I knew I would not be seated because I was friends with the defendant and most of the law enforcement associated with the case. So during jury selection when they read the names of everyone involved, the judge asked us to raise our hands if we knew them, I raised my hand almost every time. I thought no way they are going to keep me but I wasn’t excused right a way, after a few hours we broke for lunch then first order of business after lunch the prosecutor struck me from the jury. Go figure

I wonder if maybe they thought you were just trying to get out of jury duty by raising your hand so much, but then they checked during the lunch break?

 

[Lilboog82]

my last jury duty summons happened to be mailed to me right in the beginning of all the covid crap. called the number the night before and was pleasantly surprised/informed that jury duty has been suspended at this time. I would have done my civic duty but was not saddened by the information.

I have served on jury duty once before, for an attempted murder. I wouldn't say I loved it but I didn't mind it either. luckily my employer also paid my normal wages the time I was away. and yes we found the defendant guilty.

 

[CopperheadL]

I have been notified for jury duty twice, but never got picked.

 

[Kernelkrink]

I have been sent notices of being in the pool three times, two local and one Fed. The Fed was annoying, the courthouse is 60+ miles away and Fed cases tend to take a while, especially Grand Juries. Never called. Both times locally I was called in, first time they went through almost everyone and essentially had to choose most of the folks left, including me.

Drug trial, man and woman in car found with drugs in a trash bag, of course both said they belonged to the other one. Cops did an amazingly poor job of investigating, easily checked out elements of their stories were not, like he said she called him in the morning to come ride with her, she said he called her in the afternoon to give him a ride. They had both their cell phones and she was testifying against the guy, how hard is it to bring up a call log on a phone when the owner is cooperating with you? All they really had was DNA evidence from the baggies, only 1 of which had his DNA on it. Everyone tried to be fair to the guy, even though you could tell this wasn't his first rodeo. Found him guilty only on the one count where his DNA was found. Eye opener about how the Police use DNA exclusively now, they don't even bother to run fingerprints as the same lab does them as well and the backlog is months for a high priority case. Defense atty was actually quite good, I thought.

Second time was actually the first trial since COVID shut them down. Guy taking a smoke break slipped and fell on icy exterior stairs at his work place. Suing them for medical bills, pain and suffering, the usual. Got cut right away, fine by me. I know the stakes are lower in civil, but everyone including the Judge seemed to treat the case as a chance for them to play their game again, not to affect a man's life for better or worse.

 

[nonobaddog]

I was sent notice of jury duty 5 times. One was for a grand jury and I was released from the pool because it was over 75 miles away. During the other 4 times I was selected to be on a few juries. Only 2 of those made it to an actual trial, the others plea bargained or something just before the trial.
One trial was a credit card fraud case and the other was a fairly long and emotional 1st degree murder case.
The process is very interesting.

 

[Drewski]

After another long day of rehabbing the basement, I thought i would sit down for a relaxing beverage or two and go through today’s mail, lol.



On the plus side, the guest room is 95% done, the rec room is 95% done, and the separate dive “bar & grille” is shaping up to be legendary.

 

[Cameramonkey]

After another long day of rehabbing the basement, I thought i would sit down for a relaxing beverage or two and go through today’s mail, lol.

View attachment 169175

On the plus side, the guest room is 95% done, the rec room is 95% done, and the separate dive “bar & grille” is shaping up to be legendary.

Damn. Too bad you are a week off from my summons. We could have hung out and made fun of the other jurors.

 

[danimal]

I was called up for jury duty couple years or so back. Murder trial in Gary, defendant claimed self defense, and it totally was. The Rittenhouse trial is a disgrace of justice just like the case I was one. It should have never even gotten to a courtroom in the first place. Overzealous prosecutors looking to score political points is a scourge of society. So glad the rest of the jurors all acquitted, but the most aggravating part was others not following the judge's instructions and not to "investigate" the case outside the courthouse (i.e. reading the news or looking up the defendant / victim online). I'm not a fan of sequestering, but if the judge says don't do it then don't do it, that is how mistrials and prejudice happen and innocent people stay caged up longer than should be.

 

[Wstar425]

Was on a child porn jury. Ended up being foreman. Guy was guilty as sin. He had a public defender and after the trial I wanted to tell the judge that guy should never be allowed to set foot in a courtroom again. He was terrible, but it didn’t matter in the long run.

Also got called for a case against a company that put in a wood burning stove then the place burnt down. They asked who burned wood, northern Wisconsin EVERYBODY burns wood??? I raised my hand, they asked me about whether I let my wood “season”? I said I stay ahead a year so it could dry. Asked me why, I said you’d get creasote in the chimney burning wet wood, likely have a chimney fire and burn the house down. Ok you can go.

It seemed like they wanted people with no knowledge of the issue at hand.

 

[jamil]

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.

Magnifying glass? Like a real one? That’s a kind of boomer thing to do isn’t it? I mean you could just expand the image.

The “incorrect” quote is a prediction as much as anything. It foretells the result. The actual quote is preferable, but mostly for the sake of accuracy.