Jury Duty Options

[SirJamsalot]

Any of you ever serve as a Juror in a case - I don't know how it works in other countries, but it's one of the duties required of American citizens. These days, some cases can last a few months - which means you get about 8 bucks a day for serving!

What kind of case did you serve, and was it interesting?

About three years ago I was Juror number 7 in a Theft case at a local Home Depot. Two persons entered Home Depot, loaded up a shopping cart with 4 leaf blowers and 3 chain saws, then exited the store thru the Garden Center emergency exit, setting off an alarm. Employees confronted the men, who stared them down with threatening gestures, then proceeded to load their stolen Cadillac with the goods.

Here's where it got fun.

The Cadillac wouldn't start. So they got out of the car and attempted a "push away". They pushed their car out of the parking lot onto a 3 lane street (35 mph zone) during commute hour, and proceeded to push for about 100 yards. A police car pulled up behind them and spoke thru their car's PA system - "pull over"!. They tried to convince the police officers to help them push the car - tried to make it look like they were just broken down and needed a push down the street. Didn't exactly fly.

The deliberation process took 2 days - we had such a fun time talking about the details of the case - at one point we laughed so loud, we were convinced the court officer was going to step into the room to tell us to shut up

Guilty as charged on two counts - intent to steal, and theft.

Have any good stories to share?

Chris

[Gitarrero]

Sound like a fun case since nobody got hurt.
No jury duties in Germany, since we don't have a jury. Usually a judge will decide, though in some cases (especially when it comes to crimes committed by minors) there will be 3 additional "judges" who are regular citizens, but were trained for this task.
I know too little about the jury system to judge it in any way, but it always seemed weird to me that "regular" people get to decide whether a person is guilty or not. But again, I know to little and maybe watched a bit too much of Boston Legal...yes, and Ally McBeal too.

This post has been edited by Gitarrero: Jan 12 2012, 06:59 PM

[Ivan Milenkovic]

Here, there is no jury, so I can't comment on that, there are only judges, some courts have only one judge, and some have 3 to 5. I never practiced law, so can't comment on any stories, but my first neighbour was a judge are she told me quite a few crazy stories. There are all kinds of people who come there, and some of them are notorious, real beasts..

[Cosmin Lupu]

No such thing in Romania either, the court is led by the judge and he alone decides what's what and who's who...but yea, stuff can go really crazy regarding people doing bad things. Just yesterday, they caught a lunatic driving needles into a girl in a bus ... :|

[Ben Higgins]

They have dury duty in this country too but I've never been called up, thankfully.

That was one hell of a story, Chris !!

I know too little about the jury system to judge it in any way, but it always seemed weird to me that "regular" people get to decide whether a person is guilty or not.

Me too, I find it very weird.

[Daniel Realpe]

hahah that was funny, asking the policemen to push the car hahahah

Here in Colombia I think we only have a judge, not really sure about the jury, will ask,

that should be interesting

[SirJamsalot]

They have dury duty in this country too but I've never been called up, thankfully.

That was one hell of a story, Chris !!



Me too, I find it very weird.

Theoretically, it's to prevent a single judge from ruling based on personal preference. It would require a sizable conspiracy to judge someone based on personal dislike or personal gain.

yikes Cosmin - that's horrific!

.yes, and Ally McBeal too.

Ally McBeal <3

[Nihilist1]

I haven't had to do it yet. If I ever get to do it, however, I hope I get an awesome case. If anyone wants to watch a great movie about jury duty, there is a classic Called '12 Angry Men' that is hosted on YouTube for free. The Library of Congress deemed it worthy of putting in a time capsule to preserve for all time, so you know it is good! I will post the link below if anyone wants to see it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0NlNOI5LG0

[SirJamsalot]

I haven't had to do it yet. If I ever get to do it, however, I hope I get an awesome case. If anyone wants to watch a great movie about jury duty, there is a classic Called '12 Angry Men' that is hosted on YouTube for free. The Library of Congress deemed it worthy of putting in a time capsule to preserve for all time, so you know it is good! I will post the link below if anyone wants to see it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0NlNOI5LG0

awesome - I'll have to check this out when I get home

[Alex Feather]

Any of you ever serve as a Juror in a case - I don't know how it works in other countries, but it's one of the duties required of American citizens. These days, some cases can last a few months - which means you get about 8 bucks a day for serving!

What kind of case did you serve, and was it interesting?

About three years ago I was Juror number 7 in a Theft case at a local Home Depot. Two persons entered Home Depot, loaded up a shopping cart with 4 leaf blowers and 3 chain saws, then exited the store thru the Garden Center emergency exit, setting off an alarm. Employees confronted the men, who stared them down with threatening gestures, then proceeded to load their stolen Cadillac with the goods.

Here's where it got fun.

The Cadillac wouldn't start. So they got out of the car and attempted a "push away". They pushed their car out of the parking lot onto a 3 lane street (35 mph zone) during commute hour, and proceeded to push for about 100 yards. A police car pulled up behind them and spoke thru their car's PA system - "pull over"!. They tried to convince the police officers to help them push the car - tried to make it look like they were just broken down and needed a push down the street. Didn't exactly fly.

The deliberation process took 2 days - we had such a fun time talking about the details of the case - at one point we laughed so loud, we were convinced the court officer was going to step into the room to tell us to shut up

Guilty as charged on two counts - intent to steal, and theft.

Have any good stories to share?

Chris

Sounds like a fun case!!! I live in California myself and tomorrow I will be in San Francisco and on Saturday in Folsom! Where do you live?

[Gary]

I have been called for jury duty in my town at least ten times and never made it past the Voir Dire or jury selection process.

The last time I was called it was a for a murder case. The person murdered was a young man described as a good student with no gang ties. The person accused was a gang banger with gang tattoos all over his neck and arms. FYI: Wearing the requisite gang uniform (white t-shirt and baggy pants) to your murder trial is prolly not the smartest fashion decision one could make. Anyway I was eyeing him over and the next thing I knew I was excused from the room


Gary

[JTaylor]

Been called 3 times but never made it past to "the final 12". Aaaah rejection - how sweet it is! When I worked for the railroad, they would pay you for jury duty, but I got called on my day off. There are four more "people" getting ready to go to trial here in my town (the fifth has already been sentenced to life without parole) and I almost wish I would get called for one of those juries! ( The details are too horrific to even talk about but, if you're curious, you can Google the name "Seath Jackson", he was the victim.)

[SirJamsalot]

Sounds like a fun case!!! I live in California myself and tomorrow I will be in San Francisco and on Saturday in Folsom! Where do you live?

Alex - what brings you to the Bay Area? I'm about 40 minutes east of San Francisco - I live in Castro Valley which is between Oakland and Hayward. I'd come out to greet you but I'm stuck at work in Pleasant Hill!

I have been called for jury duty in my town at least ten times and never made it past the Voir Dire or jury selection process.

The last time I was called it was a for a murder case. The person murdered was a young man described as a good student with no gang ties. The person accused was a gang banger with gang tattoos all over his neck and arms. FYI: Wearing the requisite gang uniform (white t-shirt and baggy pants) to your murder trial is prolly not the smartest fashion decision one could make. Anyway I was eyeing him over and the next thing I knew I was excused from the room


Gary

Yah - dress to impress for sure - not to look guilty. I've been called in every year for the past 10 years. Sat in the Jury Box 9 times and excused 8 times (fortunately). A couple of murder trials - I'd hate to be on one of those... those can last months!

Been called 3 times but never made it past to "the final 12". Aaaah rejection - how sweet it is! When I worked for the railroad, they would pay you for jury duty, but I got called on my day off. There are four more "people" getting ready to go to trial here in my town (the fifth has already been sentenced to life without parole) and I almost wish I would get called for one of those juries! ( The details are too horrific to even talk about but, if you're curious, you can Google the name "Seath Jackson", he was the victim.)

!!!! I know that case! Wow - that would be fascinating to sit in on, but I wouldn't wanna be in the Jury. Yikes!

[Ben Higgins]

Why would somebody be 'excused' from jury duty ? Is it because they think you've said or done something innapropriate ?

[Alex Feather]

[quote name='SirJamsalot' date='Jan 13 2012, 04:43 PM' post='563413']
Alex - what brings you to the Bay Area? I'm about 40 minutes east of San Francisco - I live in Castro Valley which is between Oakland and Hayward. I'd come out to greet you but I'm stuck at work in Pleasant Hill!

I am gonna play a couple of shows in San Francisco and Fresno! Maybe next time!

[Mudbone]

I've been called once, but was excused before they even had a chance to interview me. One of my uncles told me the best way to get out of jury duty is to tell the interviewers that you're a hardcore racist, that way they think you're biased and won't select you Never had a chance to test that method.

[Sollesnes]

Why would somebody be 'excused' from jury duty ? Is it because they think you've said or done something innapropriate ?

If you look at the accused and considers him guilty based on clothes and tattoos alone, of course you have nothing to do in a jury. Everyone has some predjuces, but it shouldn't play a role in a trial.

This post has been edited by Sollesnes: Jan 13 2012, 06:26 PM

[SirJamsalot]

Alex - what brings you to the Bay Area? I'm about 40 minutes east of San Francisco - I live in Castro Valley which is between Oakland and Hayward. I'd come out to greet you but I'm stuck at work in Pleasant Hill!

I am gonna play a couple of shows in San Francisco and Fresno! Maybe next time!

When - where?

[Ben Higgins]

If you look at the accused and considers him guilty based on clothes and tattoos alone, of course you have nothing to do in a jury. Everyone has some predjuces, but it shouldn't play a role in a trial.

Well, of course..

What I was curious about is why some of the guys said they were excused without doing or saying anything that they were aware of ?

[Mudbone]

Well, of course..

What I was curious about is why some of the guys said they were excused without doing or saying anything that they were aware of ?

I think the court selects more people than they need, say 30, then when they fill the jury the rest of the people selected are excused.