Today I got a Jury Summons. I am to report April 13. I like it

[greenbriar]

many people try to get out of it, I have served once before about 7 years ago. I found the whole process facinating. I like doing it.

I also don't get docked at work for it either!!!

I just hope it is not a gang murder trial or anything!

[villager]

1. Just don't forget the fine ol' concept of "jury nullification!" ;-)

n/t

[greenbriar]

2. what do you mean?

not sure

[noamnety]

6. Yay for jury nullification!

If the law they are enforcing sucks, the jury can decide not to enforce it.

"The 59-year-old was arrested after officers from a state "drug task force" found 25 pounds of pot and 50 pounds of growing plants in his home in 2007. The Vietnam veteran walks with a cane, has bad knees and feet and says he uses marijuana to relieve body pain, as well as to help cope with post traumatic stress.

This jury exercised their right of jury nullification. Judges and prosecutors never tell you this, but when you serve on a jury, it's not just the defendant on trial. It's the law as well. If you don't like the law and think applying it in this particular case would be unjust, then you don't have to find the defendant guilty, even if the evidence clearly indicates guilt."

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Find-Freedom.htm?EdNo=001&At=044844

[Towlie]

9. Read about jury nullification and be prepared to educate the other jurors if appropriate!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_nullification

[aikoaiko]

11. Even when a defendant technically violates the law, a jury may acquit in the interest of justice.

Whatever you do, do not mention that phrase.

[backscatter712]

26. Exactly. Do not let the judge know you understand what jury nullification means.

Judges do not want you to know that as a juror, you're perfectly entitled to judge the law as well as the defendant in the case.

If the judge hears that you're open to nullification, you'll never serve on a jury.

Oh, also be aware of the dark side of nullification - back in the 60's there were some cases where some KKK thugs murdered black people, law enforcement and the DA were on their game, caught them dead to rights, had the case and the facts presented perfectly in the courtroom, but the jury acquitted, solely because the jurors were racist assholes. That's why judges hate nullification.

Don't get me wrong - I think nullification should be an option for the jury - it's a weapon that can be used to fight injustice, but thought you should have more of the facts.

[varkam]

31. +1

[Tangerine LaBamba]

14. It's a kind of civil disobedience ...........

Just like a picket or a protest, only with much more immediate and concrete results.

Now, consider the OJ Simpson murder trial - that was a case of jury nullification gone bad, because the jurors never even considered the evidence, but decided that OJ was being persecuted because of his race.

We all know how well that one worked out, don't we?

Jury nullification verdicts drive prosecutors nuts.

It's a great experience, serving on a jury. For years, here in Virginia, licensed lawyers were automatically excluded from the jury pool. Then the law was changed and I got called.

After thirty years as a litigator, I was dying so see what went on inside the jury room. It was a terrific experience. I was thrilled to see how seriously the jurors took their roles, but I was also appalled at how much of their decision-making was based on their personal experiences and not solely on the evidence presented.

They made the big mistake - I warned them - of electing me foreperson. I explained the law to them, over and over, and when we were deadlocked, I let them know that I now worked on my own as a writer, and that I'd be happy to come back the next day, and the next day, and ................

It was a fair verdict.

Have fun.

:toast:

[villager]

30. Another reason I love DU! A whole sub-thread on jury nullification!

:thumbsup:

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. Too bad it isn't for Bush or Cheney's crimes

I'd pay to sit on that jury.

[ShortnFiery]

4. My Jury Summons is for June. I'll trade you! LOL

I have to reschedule my annual mammogram and trip to mother's home until July because of this responsibility.

Guess I'll adjust. ;)

[DJ13]

5. Two years ago I was the last juror ousted on a mass murder trial

I wanted to serve, but when the trial was over I was glad I didnt have to.

It lasted 8 MONTHS!

[SoCalDem]

7. My husband's at jury duty today..My turn is next week

:)

[kimmerspixelated]

8. My mother had always wanted to do jury duty, always,

kind of like a dream. She was very patriotic in many ways. Two weeks following her death, she got a summons in the mail. My Dad just sat down and cried, again.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

12. That's a heartbreak

Timing.

Tell me the universe isn't sometimes a cruel, cruel thing.......................

[kimmerspixelated]

13. Everything for a reason, though...right???

[Tangerine LaBamba]

16. I'll bet you

that one day, you'll be reminded of that jury notice, and something right in front of you will suddenly make sense.

I've learned that it works like that.

:hi:

[kimmerspixelated]

Yes, exactly. I believe in sychronicities,

etc...all of it. Tangerine, you rock!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

20. You do, too!

I have this great big smile right now.

These connecting moments are just so gorgeous....

Here's to you, kid:

[IntravenousDemilo]

17. Well, sadly, no.

If everything happened for a reason, life would be a lot more predictable than it is.

[kimmerspixelated]

19. I think the reasons are always open to interpretation,

divine coincidences are all around you. Everything is dependent on how you see it.

[IntravenousDemilo]

24. All I know is, good and bad things happen in wildly varying proportions to good and bad people.

There's no way of predicting it. And during those times when I think the universe might have it in for me, I simply remind myself that, based on or even in spite of the laws of probability, shit happens coincidentally all the time for no good reason, and I shouldn't take it personally when things don't go my way. It does get me through the night.

[sufrommich]

10. I liked it too. It was very interesting, I'd gladly do it again. nt

[tularetom]

15. I have 2-1/2 more years to worry about jury duty

At least around here you are exempt once you reach 70 years of age. If all goes well I will be there in Sept 2011.

When I was working I got called once a year for like 5 consecutive years. I retired in December 2000 and got a summons in May 2001. Since then, nada.

[aquart]

18. Hope it's a regular and not a grand jury.

My grand jury went three years.

[Johonny]

21. I got mine April 20th in Compton

so I'm less than excited.

[sakabatou]

22. I have a medical excuse out of jury duty

[RedCloud]

23. Some people get all the luck.

The bastards just use me as a translation whore. But I still get to be myself:

Prosecutor: Did you sell cocaine to these people?

Yo: ¿Les vendió usted cocaína a esa gente?

Innocent victim of economic circumstances: Sí señor. Lo hice.

Yo: Yes sir, he did it.

Irate magistrate: Say, "I did it".

Yo: In Spanish?

Irate magistrate: No. Just say "I did it".

Yo: But we all know to whom we are referring here.

Irate magistrate: Yes.

Yo: Yes sir. I did it.

I was sweating bullets, thinking aha! We finally bagged Red Cloud on some court twisted testimony, but the judge was also on record saying he did it too!

[greenbriar]

25. I just hope it isn't a murder trial or anything gang related

other than that, it will be a great experience

[Joe the Liberal]

27. I had to go last month, I hated it...........

It was my first time going to jury duty and I actually made it pretty far in the process. I got questioned by the lawyers and everything but never made it on the actually jury. It was a looooooong boring day full of waiting and just walking around aimlessly trying to kill time. Bring a book with you or something, anything that kills time (music, video games, books ect) because there is quite a lot of waiting.

The case that they were selecting the jury for was about some guy who had sexually abused some kids or something along those lines. This case in particular was supposed to last for about a week or so. I think it was for the best that I didn't actually get picked to be on the jury, I hated just being there for one day, I don't think I would have made it for a whole week.

[Wiley50]

28. Having learned how "sheltered" you are from your previous threads, I hope it isn't a small time pot

dealer

You realize that many pot smokers buy say a quarter pound in order to sell three ounces to "friends"

and then smoke the fourth themselves for free

Cops like to call these folks "Big Time Trafficers"

It is here where silent jury nullification is your (and his and really any leftie's) friend

Just say NO! You don't think he's guilty

and then stick to your guns no matter what

You don't have to tell anyone why (though you may be pressured)

JUST SAY NO!

[rucky]

29. I've only gotten called once.

and dismissed that day. I was kinda looking forward to it.

[1]

32. i got called twice...

the first time i remember so well. once they called us from the waiting area, they made us sit in the jury box, one at a time. alone...

the judge was on his pedestal. the defendant and his lawyers at their table, the prosecutes at theirs. each side then asked all sorts of questions. i was anxious, it was like i was on trial. my heart was beating strong. i was sweating. i was playing it strictly legit, answering each question to the best of my ability (i was under oath)... during a break, a fellow potential said i was impressive under the questioning. impressive? i was almost pissing myself. i don't know why i was so freaked out. i guess i just saw this as such a very serious business. i know people who have done time.

the second time i was less freaked out. but both times the defendant and his lawyers got a plea bargain before i actually had to serve. i'm told this is pretty much normal. everybody is freaked out in the front side of the courtroom during this process.

good luck. i hope it doesn't turn into a hardship for you and your family. but it is an important thing to do. as a citizen. and i still believe in things like that...