Jury Duty

[VegasMichael]

Got the letter in the mail last week. It's been over 10 years since I was called. They wanted me for November 2 but that was not going to work so I postponed until January 2 since I have that whole week off. I am a teacher and strangely, many school district employees have been called the past two months for some reason. Anyway, it got me to thinking, what are the pros and cons of having professional jurors? People that actually do it for a living.

 

[HudsonFalcon]

It gets the teachers out of the classroom so the substitutes can just show movies. Those were the days. I remember we got one sub to let us watch Predator. She wasn't too bright.

 

[598]

My stance is "jury of your peers". Cant get that with professional jurors. Last one I did, Wound up in a coroners inquest? Anyway, as a citizen I learned something, and I'm sure there was a pretty unbiased pool that had to agree that what we saw was accurate, even in layman's eyes. Don't really know what I'm allowed to discuss, but it was all about dead people and how they died, so you had to have reason and a solid stomach. Several people asked pointed questions as to how conclusions were reached. Wouldn't want to give that up.

 

[VegasMichael]

My stance is "jury of your peers". Cant get that with professional jurors. Last one I did, Wound up in a coroners inquest? Anyway, as a citizen I learned something, and I'm sure there was a pretty unbiased pool that had to agree that what we saw was accurate, even in layman's eyes. Don't really know what I'm allowed to discuss, but it was all about dead people and how they died, so you had to have reason and a solid stomach. Several people asked pointed questions as to how conclusions were reached. Wouldn't want to give that up.

I hear you on the can't get the jury of your peers thing with professional jurors but if I'm chosen to serve on a murder case I assure you I'm not a murderer so how am I the accused's peer?

 

[Revvv]

I live an odd life. I know several attorneys, and a couple judges. I have been known to spend time watching trials.

As an American citizen it should be considered an honor to be a part of our justice system. Most see the time as a burden.

In my area judges have gotten extremely strict on excuses people use to escape jury duty. Being a teacher, an MD, or other profession rarely gives them a pass.

Most of the judges in a four county area here know who I am. Most excuse me, even if I plan to sit through the trial. As a pastor and a counselor I am known by many. This always throws me out as being biased towards something.

Even after spending almost 10 years as a professional music producer and engineer, I still counsel, consult, and officiate the occasional wedding and funeral. As far as the court is concerned I am an ordained minister regardless of how I make a living.

I have never known anyone that could be considered a professional juror.



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[7998]

Jury duty while inconvenient is one of the most important things we can do. When we are rounded up for conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism against the planet for not recycling it'll be left up to a jury to determine our guilt. We should all be familiar with the concept of jury nullification.

 

[o2gt]

I'm not aware of any places in this country that have professional jurors.

 

[7998]

I hear you on the can't get the jury of your peers thing with professional jurors but if I'm chosen to serve on a murder case I assure you I'm not a murderer so how am I the accused's peer?

Holy shit are you really a teacher? You are making the assumption one is guilty and therefore not a peer. We are innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the prosecution.

 

[598]

I hear you on the can't get the jury of your peers thing with professional jurors but if I'm chosen to serve on a murder case I assure you I'm not a murderer so how am I the accused's peer?

Wow, you made the jump from being accused of murder, to being a murderer because you were accused. Don't think I would want you on my jury.

 

[VegasMichael]

Holy shit are you really a teacher? You are making the assumption one is guilty and therefore not a peer. We are innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the prosecution.

How the heck did you come up with that?

 

[VegasMichael]

Wow, you made the jump from being accused of murder, to being a murderer because you were accused. Don't think I would want you on my jury.

I'm totally lost with that.

 

[VegasMichael]

The confusing part of "jury of your peers" is who is deciding who your peers are and what are the rules with that?

 

[VegasMichael]

Holy shit are you really a teacher? You are making the assumption one is guilty and therefore not a peer. We are innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the prosecution.

What does teaching third grade math have to do with jury duty questions?

 

[Revvv]

The confusing part of "jury of your peers" is who is deciding who your peers are and what are the rules with that?

This is where a good attorney comes in. Both attorneys must agree on jurors based on questions asked. This is the basis of how your peers are determined.



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[Gringo185]

You said that you could not possibly be the defendant's peer because you are not a murderer. This implies that the defendant IS a murderer. As a juror, you are there to listen to the evidence and testimony and decide one way or another. It sounds like you have already made up your mind in this hypothetical situation.

 

[VegasMichael]

You said that you could not possibly be the defendant's peer because you are not a murderer. This implies that the defendant IS a murderer. As a juror, you are there to listen to the evidence and testimony and decide one way or another. It sounds like you have already made up your mind in this hypothetical situation.

So when the camera footage and dna and eyewitness testimony implicate the accused I am his peer?

 

[Mpoitrast87]

I’m 24 and have been called for jury duty 3 god damn times. I can’t stand it. I guess years ago you could claim to be bias depending on what the crime is. Doesn’t seem to work like that anymore.

 

[_Snake_]

How the heck did you come up with that?

I'm totally lost with that.

If the accused is innocent, he’s not a murderer. Thus your peer. The accused is “innocent until proven guilty.” Hence the term a “jury of your peers.

You made a leap, unintentionally I believe.

 

[VegasMichael]

If the accused is innocent, he’s not a murderer. Thus your peer.

You made a leap, unintentionally I believe.

True. But if I am an uncaught murderer and the accused is innocent, I am not his peer. This shit messes with your mind.

 

[_Snake_]

I’m 24 and have been called for jury duty 3 god damn times. I can’t stand it. I guess years ago you could claim to be bias depending on what the crime is. Doesn’t seem to work like that anymore.

I watched a potential juror fly off the handle about how much he hated lawyers. “If I knew you were a lawyer and saw you in a crosswalk, I’d try to run you down!”

For some reason he was smiling as he was walking out after being dismissed.