Got Picked

The first one I got called in to--was on my 21st Birthday. I was sick with a bad case of the Flu--told them that I was taking meds--sicker than heck--they made my Jury Foreman. I fell asleep (due to the meds) while the others discussed the case. We got calledinto the Courtroom--and I had to ask a few of the otherswhat they agreed on? got a remark from a wise ***--who snorted that I should have paid attention (but no way possible due to being sick and drugged) walked to my place-was asked what we fund and I said: "Uh, guilty I guess?" I said that hoping they would question me so I could explain but--I guess it was good enough? Anyway, the guy was indeed guilty of having a bag of Heroin on him--5 ounces I think? He was sentenced to a year in County.

Next time I got called--they settled out of Court. Next time called--same thing.

Last timeI got called--it was a lady suing a local TV station. I was interviewed and asked if I knew any of the parties involved? I said: Yes I do--im familiar with the owner of the TV station and his Son-in-Law is a good friend of mine (who was in charge of Advertising at the station).

We saw the video--and I was asked what I thought and frankly stated--that I thought she was guilty and was only trying to get free money she did not deserve. I was again picked Jury Foreman. I remember the Defense Atty (Mr. Abernathy) that every timehe was going to make a great point--that he would unbutton buttons on his suit jacket--like Matlock. The three Attys on the other team--reminded me of: the: Marx Brothers. This trial lasted about 3 & 1/2 days. My mind had been made up after the video shown on day one. I was also correct in my assumption too. After her 1st and 2nd Attys basically deserted her-the third had too because she stood up and totaly changed her story-3rd Atty threw his arms up in the air--and someone announced the trial was over ad that the owners of Channel 3--were innocent.
 
I have yet to figure out why wearing my NRA hat gets me disqualified. BTW, it is for rent for a nominal fee.:D
 
If you don't want to serve on a jury, just tell the defense atty.
that you think anyone who commits a crime like the one the
defendant has been accused of, should be taken out and shot.

Next....:rolleyes:
 
I've been called 4 times. Never picked. I think maybe it had something to do with the questionnaire they had us fill out. "Please list all organizations you belong to". OK, NRA - Gun owners of America, - Second amendment foundation - Jews for the preservation of firearms ownership - American motorcyclist assn. - The hated oily British M.C. - Captain Freedoms flying aces M.C. - American Legion & VFW. (I doubt they read that far)

I always got excused. Actually I would have liked to get picked once just to see what it was like. Now I'm over 70 and they probably figure I couldn't stay awake for the whole trial. (they could be right)
 
When ever they ask me those questions or ask my opinion of a little video I say, "hang them all and let God sort them out." I have yet to get picked for some reason.
People like you are what always make it a pleasure to pick juries. God forbid you are ever charged with a crime I hope you are lucky enough to get 12 jurors that think just like you.
 
I have served on three juries; a civil case, a misdemeanor case, and a murder. In the murder case, contrary to others' experience, all of the potential jurors in the group I was in were asked if we were members of the NRA. Several of us were; we were all selected for the jury. The case involved a young wannabe gangbanger who fired into a car at another wannabe. The shooter confessed, but later he tried to recant, so the case went to trial. The public defender was barely competent, and the prosecutor not much better. The reason NRA members were chosen was due to the angle at which the shot was fired, could it have been fired from the back seat, etc. It did not take very long for us to find the young man guilty. Forty years plus fifteen more for using a gun. Apparently here in Illinois you are deader if you are shot rather than stabbed or beaten to death.

Incidentally, the judge apologized to us for both lawyers; he told us he would have liked to have found both in contempt for their shoddy preparation.
 
Incidentally, the judge apologized to us for both lawyers; he told us he would have liked to have found both in contempt for their shoddy preparation.

Said to make you feel better. If "he would have liked to find both in contempt" he WOULD have found both in contempt. In that courtroom he's (or thinks he is) God.
 
My first trial was a murder case. A man had beat his one month old child to death. As we filed into the courtroom and sat down we were told to adjourn to the jury room. After about an hour of waiting the judge came in and told us they had reached a plea deal. She informed us that she approved the deal partly because she did not want us to experience the testimony and the graphic pictures of the crime scene. She later became a Representative for our state.

The county I live in now. You call the night before to see if you have to report. I like it.
 
Got Picked BECAUSE I held a CCW License!

During jury selection the defense attorney was seeking anyone who had a "license to carry". I was the only one in the pool who did. I was selected.

The case was MOST interesting. Almost like a movie or TV drama. It involved an all-nude dancer, all-nude dancer's boyfriend and a very emotional dancer's father. To make a long story really short, the dancer's boyfriend got into an altercation with dancer's dad at a Circle K convenience store after dancer's dad spent the afternoon at the nearby Hooters restaurant/bar. Boyfriend knifed dancer's dad (in self defense but not too seriously) after dad became quite aggressive. Dad pressed charges and we were asked to determine guild or innocence. It was an easy case to decide. All members of the jury very quickly determined in about 10 minutes of deliberation the innocence for the dancer's boyfriend.

The defense attorney based his case on the right of the boyfriend to have a knife and use it if he was threatened bodily harm. Therefore it was clear why I was selected due to having a CCW. By the way, I was NOT the jury foreman, a young female was selected for this position.

I was very pleased and happy to have been a part of this process. If I am ever called for again, I will be happy to serve. It is indeed one of the duties that we must do to keep this country the greatest country in the world.
 
Jury DUTY....

I've served on a jury. At one point in my life though, I was having mental issues. Not only that I was having an especially bad day as well and felt like I couldn't really trust my judgement or how I would act when closed in. I showed them a letter from my doctor and got excused. They were concerned about having enough people for a jury. I feel TERRIBLE about it, but I feel like I did the right thing.
 
It was very interesting and somewhat surprising that a few of the posters to this thread seemed to express pride in the "cunning" ways in which they escaped their duties.
 
You did your civic duty. None of us are perfect and we sometimes have to take care of unpleasant business. You should be commended. Far too many people these days wouldn't do it. I went several days in a jury pool for a supreme court case. They ask me some questions about my military service and I was cut in a flash.
 
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when I got on the list for Federal jury duty in Denver and after sitting through the selection process a number of times and finally getting chosen I learned that federal judges don't have much of a sense of humor at all. one of the judges was the same judge that would later be the judge for the McVeigh trial. definitely a no nonsense judge. some of things you always hear about saying something to get out of jury duty would have got you a contempt charge with this judge.
 
I was on an indecent exposure jury and the when we hit the jury room I found myself at the end of the table, but I wasn't foreman. The witnesses were compelling and I know we all found the guy guilty. But as each person said "guilty" real fast as they worked towards me, I said, "Now lets not rush things here." And, man, they all looked down that table at me with that, "Well, there's always one, isn't there!" look. But I said I thought he was guilty, too, but this is a big deal for this guy and we should at least discuss it. I then asked the others to explain why they felt that way. Then they all thawed out and we talked for a half hour before voting guilty. But I'll never forget the look on those people's faces. I felt like Henry Fonda in 12 Angry Men there for a minute. It was rather intimidating.
 
I have been called several times but never picked. The last time they actually got to the point where they asked me questions. The defendant was charged with possession of meth. The defense excused me. I have never in my life used illegal drugs but I would find it difficult to send someone to prison just for using drugs. If anything send them to rehab. I think the defense lawyer made a mistake. Now if he was dealing drugs I would vote to send him away for a very long time.
 
I have been summoned many times but never chosen once they hear my profession they cannot excuse me fast enough.

I was called about a year ago and when doing some research in advance to see what options there might be to get out of it because I had business travel arranged and paid for I cam across comments from people saying things like "everyone I know is smart enough to find a way to get out of jury duty" which made me think - the character of the people who serve on juries determine the outcome of trials which establishes case-law and precedent which then affects all future similar trials.

The one week duty I served was over in three days because I did not get chosen even to be interviewed. We were told during the initial briefing that if we did get picked and if we made it through the screening there was a good chance that the defendant would make a last minute plea bargain because the moment the defendant sees the jury enter the courtroom it all becomes very real.
 
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