Jury Duty Summons: A Necessary Inconvenience?

[Pengwuino]

I got a jury duty summons today :(

Ok if anyone has any plans to overthrow the US government, or just California's government, before October 11th, I won't stop you.

 

[zoobyshoe]

I had to do that once. For two weeks you go, sit around, and occasionally they bring you in a courtroom, describe a case, and ask if you think you need to be disqualified for any reason.

I would raise my hand and say that, as a zoobie, I couldn't guarrantee I would understand all the nuances of human speech and might misconstrue the testimony. They dismissed me in all cases.

I should think the same tack would work for a penguin.

 

[Pengwuino]

I hate asian people.

There, don't pick me.

I actually did hear though that if you say your racist, you will get excused. I'm pretty sure I can get a delay though because I am a student and all.

 

[wolram]

I have all ways wanted to be on a jury and convict some one like Bill gates,
even if he was innocent.

 

[Pengwuino]

I have all ways wanted to be on a jury and convict some one like Bill gates,
even if he was innocent.

Another reason western judicial systems are a great example of justice

 

[Math Is Hard]

Fill the form out with a crayon and send it back. Make sure to explain that you are a penguin.

 

[JamesU]

That reminds me, one our school trips this year involves us having to watch a criminal trial...

 

[Pengwuino]

Fill the form out with a crayon and send it back. Make sure to explain that you are a penguin.

Either action would do fine. But what's worse, someone who thinks they are a penguin or someone who uses crayons.

 

[Smurf]

That reminds me, one our school trips this year involves us having to watch a criminal trial...

Americans...

 

[Smurf]

Come on Pengwuino. Anyone with half a brain can get out of Jury Duty, now I know you're a little underqualified for that, but you might get lucky!

 

[moose]

That reminds me, one our school trips this year involves us having to watch a criminal trial...

Be prepared to be bored out of your mind.

 

[Pengwuino]

Come on Pengwuino. Anyone with half a brain can get out of Jury Duty, now I know you're a little underqualified for that, but you might get lucky!

I'm a penguin, what the hell else do I need to say

 

[Pengwuino]

Be prepared to be bored out of your mind.

lol yah. If you think Law & Order has anything to do with law & order... you're going to be sad

 

[moose]

Either action would do fine. But what's worse, someone who thinks they are a penguin or someone who uses crayons.

Or write you are an engineer making a lot of money at a good company. Seriously, my parents and their friends who have good careers never get jury duty, they always have it called off because they are too smart or something

 

[Smurf]

I'm a penguin, what the hell else do I need to say

Here's a tip: Don't over-estimate the intelligence of the judicial process.

 

[Smurf]

Or write you are an engineer making a lot of money at a good company. Seriously, my parents and their friends who have good careers never get jury duty, they always have it called off because they are too smart or something

Depends, find out what the course case is before committing to really smart or really dumb. But definitely don't try to appear a 'middle' class person.

 

[Pengwuino]

Or write you are an engineer making a lot of money at a good company. Seriously, my parents and their friends who have good careers never get jury duty, they always have it called off because they are too smart or something

Called off or dismissed by the lawyers?

 

[honestrosewater]

I had jury duty last month. Each state does it their own way. In Florida, jury service is for 1 day or the length of the trial, if you are selected for one.
We watched a movie and sat around waiting to be chosen. When a judge needs a jury, they call requesting some number of people. The people are chosen randomly by their juror number and sent into what I imagine is a very cold and scary place. One case was resolved without needing a jury, so they chose the number of people that would have been needed for the case and sent them home. I don't know anything else - I was one of the lucky ones who were sent home.

 

[Smurf]

If I were chosen for jury duty I would want to go through with it, just because I think it'd be interesting.

 

[Townsend]

If I were chosen for jury duty I would want to go through with it, just because I think it'd be interesting.

What if you had to quite school for a semester to do it?

But hey, at least it's a job, right Smuf?

 

[honestrosewater]

If I were chosen for jury duty I would want to go through with it, just because I think it'd be interesting.

Me too. It's also our duty as citizens.
I was just worried that I'd end up being the only rational person on the jury. I wonder if lawyers try to choose people who will follow the rules and decide the case on the facts, or if they choose people who will be easily swayed by the lawyer's charms, who has the nicer suit, and such.

 

[Pengwuino]

or if they choose people who will be easily swayed by the lawyer's charms

Bullseye.

Or well, it depends on how the lawyer and prosecutor view the evidence and situation. If say, the defendant's lawyer knows the facts clearly point to the defendant not being guilty, he'd want smart people and people who seem level headed. However, if he knows the facts are showing the client as guilty, he'll want some jurors who could be pursuaded otherwise. Thats one of the ways they look at jury selection.

 

[honestrosewater]

Bullseye.

Or well, it depends on how the lawyer and prosecutor view the evidence and situation. If say, the defendant's lawyer knows the facts clearly point to the defendant not being guilty, he'd want smart people and people who seem level headed. However, if he knows the facts are showing the client as guilty, he'll want some jurors who could be pursuaded otherwise. Thats one of the ways they look at jury selection.

Yeah, that's what I mean - if they just want to win, by any means necessary. I'm sure there are some decent lawyers out there - I just don't want to guess how many.

So would you want a trial by judge or by jury? I think you have a choice in most, if not all, cases. Would it depend on whether you were guilty or innocent?

 

[Smurf]

What if you had to quite school for a semester to do it?

But hey, at least it's a job, right Smuf?

*gets out the democracy stick*
Where's that report townsend? It's laaate