Jury duty sucks

[musette_sf]

Does anybody *like* jury duty? If so please explain! (I'm afraid the shiny happy Superior Court juror video they showed us just wasn't very convincing...)

I just got home from Day 2 of jury duty. I have to say that at least this particular court is starting to get it right -- you only have to be there for three hours a day. But it still feels like conscription to me. If I had time on my hands, I suppose this Jury Duty Lite thing might not be so bad. But I'm a IT project manager on some really, um, "aggressive" (translation: "complete fantasy") timelines, so I am doing my real job full time too.

So anyway, here is my pet peeve observed today in voir dire: people who are citizens, and have lived here for 20+ years, who claim to not speak English well enough to serve. We had three today.

We should not have marginalized citizens who cannot participate in the judicial and democratic systems! Shouldn't we demand more from people who want to become citizens? Or is this just a result of the creeping imperialism oozing forth from Bu$hCo, where we'll hand out things like "guest status" like Pez, regardless of whether you can speak the language of the land well enough to participate?

If you want to flame, flame away, but I am first generation American, and I see no reason why a person who aspires to be a US citizen should not be required to understand English to a degree sufficient to participate.

[dorktv]

1. I adore jury duty.

I get to meet new people, I get a day to spend reading, and sometimes I get on a jury and get to know more about the real-life aspect of the court system. I also get to see the application of those laws that I work to create.

As for the 20+ year citizens...You do not think they were fudging to get out of serving?

[musette_sf]

15. I would never do such a thing

that's perjury, isn't it? I think it's pretty disrespectful if it's really just a way to fudge their way out.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

2. I love jury duty!

I've only been called once, and was chosen. It was a criminal trial; two young hoodlums with too much time on their hands beat a homeless person almost to death. We convicted after 1 1/2 days of trial. I felt privileged to perform my civic duty.

I'll be graduating from law school soon; my days of jury duty are, sadly, behind me.

[dorktv]

3. Why are you not allowed to serve on a jury if you are a

lawyer?

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

5. Don't know if it's a hard and fast rule

But my professors have told us that we won't be chosen once they find out we're attorneys; we "know too much" and supposedly can't be objective. I don't know if it's true.

[dorktv]

7. I think it might make it very very less likely but you could

get picked if everyone else in the pool was horrible for either side. :)

[miss_kitty]

8. it's true n/t

[hollywood926]

4. I'd rather have my nipples gnawed off by a squirrel. n/t

[sendero]

6. I hate jury duty...

... but fortunately my opionated nature means I never get past voir dire :)

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

9. It's the last bastion of true peer justice

If you're ever on the other end of the process, I guarantee you'll be on your knees praying for twelve good people to be in those chairs, while thinking of your distaste for the process.

Best of luck when it's your turn.

[musette_sf]

14. At least I will be honest in voir dire

and do you really think it's "peer" justice when the attorneys for each side always have their own agenda in selecting jurors?

The process as it stands now sucks. Many people (like me) are not compensated for their time. The selection process in this instance is ridiculously long because there was no pre-selection questionnaire - we all have to sit there for the entire process unless dismissed. Frankly, I don't think anyone should have to waste any time on account of judicial bureaucracy - whether it's standing in line to vote for 12 hours, or waiting days to even get through the jury vetting process.

At least this particular court made a start by having three-hour sessions per day, to make jury duty almost feasible for those who won't get paid for their time. But I'm afraid that I cannot hold the same respect for the current process as you do. I'm worried about keeping my deadlines and paying my rent.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

17. I've been on jury duty in two different states

Tennessee and Texas. If I had to do it once in each state I still wouldn't feel like it was an imposition.

Yes, the system sucks, and it's getting worse. That means it's up to us to try as hard as we can to make it work. Right now it's important.

[miss_kitty]

10. I have a friend who's done jury duty twice

she felt really good about it. One case was a young runaway kid who had been lured from a video arcade by a perv, and my friend felt that being a member of that jury was really important.

She worked for the city, so she was totally excused from work and fully compensated for her time on jury duty by the city. I think all employers of a certain size should feel the duty to support employees out on jury duty.

Sorry your experience has not been so fulfilling. :(

[Wapsie B]

11. I think it's part of our duty in the justice system.

Everyone talks about all the konservative judges that have and will be appointed in this country. Well, you don't even need a wingnut judge for the righties to win. All you need is enough persuasive rwingers sitting on jury panels. They fly under the radar during jury selection. In deliberations all it takes is for one pod person to hammer away for a conviction. People like this are a scourge on the legal system. We've got to stand our ground.

[shesemsmom]

12. I haven't had the pleasure yet

although I got papers last month that say I have the possiblity for the whole year for Grand Jury. Now that could be interesting

[dorktv]

13. Oh man I would love a chance for that!

[shesemsmom]

16. I was kind of pissed about the whole year thing at first

you know I don't have 2 elections this year to go through and was gonna kick back except for the reorganizing and take a vacation maybe but when my friend and county attorney said it was grand jury I thought OH YEAH BABY, that wont keep me tied up to much and could be fun!!!
But being one of the more out spoken around town. I doubt it will happen lol