DJ FrostyFreeze
Scrapple Level: 119
Posts: 2631/3467 EXP: 18385816 For next: 543530
Since: 2.1.02 From: Hawthorne, CA
Since last post: 128 days Last activity: 128 days
| #1 Posted on 12.2.08 1202.45 Reposted on: 12.2.15 1204.35 | Today (Feb 12) is my first day back to work after serving 3 weeks on a jury. I got picked for a trial (rape case, 5 counts) on my first day, the trial lasted about 2 weeks, then we deliberated for a week. It's kind of a long, possibly disturbing story. Maybe I'll share some details later on In This Very Thread.
I also served on a much less interesting prostitution case about 10 years ago. Promote this thread! | | DrDirt
Banger Level: 106
Posts: 1921/2743 EXP: 12414528 For next: 257456
Since: 8.10.03 From: flyover country
Since last post: 2336 days Last activity: 2238 days
| #2 Posted on 12.2.08 1206.35 Reposted on: 12.2.15 1208.25 | Nope, made to the interview phase twice, but they see PhD and you are excused. I have had the thrill of being deposed for several hours and serving as an expert witness. The funny part was both sides wanted me to testify and I pissed them both off. Damn facts. | pieman
As young as he feels Level: 123
Posts: 2812/3811 EXP: 21217475 For next: 13851
Since: 11.12.01 From: China, Maine
Since last post: 111 days Last activity: 5 days
| ICQ: | |
| Y!: | |
|
| #3 Posted on 12.2.08 1333.10 Reposted on: 12.2.15 1333.51 | I have served jury duty three times (a month of call-ins each time) and served on four juries. Cases ranged from liability for injuries to passing a stopped school bus, with a rape case that we had to sit through the whole trial and then they settled just before deliberations.
The passing a stopped school bus one was the stupidest waste of taxpayers' money I have ever seen. The guy defended himself saying he didn't go by the school bus with its lights on, while the driver, several other witnesses and a policeman saw him do it. Duh. | Zeruel
Thirty Millionth Hit Moderator Level: 142
Posts: 3459/5284 EXP: 34593277 For next: 375238
Since: 2.1.02 From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.
Since last post: 1666 days Last activity: 1666 days
| #4 Posted on 12.2.08 1349.15 Reposted on: 12.2.15 1350.06 | I've been called three times. Twice I was excused because I was a full time student.
The third time I had to sit a the courthouse for and hour and only two cases were called and I wasn't on either and was given my $15 check and excused.
(edited by Zeruel on 12.2.08 1453) | Mr. Boffo
Scrapple Level: 124
Posts: 2325/3844 EXP: 21356875 For next: 479787
Since: 24.3.02 From: Oshkosh, WI
Since last post: 3886 days Last activity: 3847 days
| #5 Posted on 12.2.08 1350.18 Reposted on: 12.2.15 1350.42 | I served on jury duty several months ago. Called in Sunday night, and wasn't on the list for Monday morning. Called in Monday night, and had to show up Tuesday morning. Watched a video, and we were then told that all 3 cases had settled, and we were done. That was my week of jury duty.
Got paid $35.80 ($35 + $.40 per mile for ... mileage).
Sounds like my jury duty was much easier than yours. | Leroy
Boudin blanc Level: 100
Posts: 1135/2336 EXP: 10146012 For next: 208420
Since: 7.2.02
Since last post: 3 days Last activity: 3 hours
| #6 Posted on 12.2.08 1359.33 Reposted on: 12.2.15 1359.51 | I served for five weeks, and was selected as the foreman, on a child molestation case - a 5 year girl molested for the better part of a year by her mother's boyfriend. We found him guilty after two days of deliberation, and I heard he got 9 years. We were not part of the sentencing - that was left up to the judge.
I seriously doubt I will ever serve on a jury again. | samoflange
Lap cheong Level: 88
Posts: 903/1786 EXP: 6462397 For next: 188293
Since: 22.2.04 From: Cambridge, MA
Since last post: 3806 days Last activity: 3798 days
| #7 Posted on 12.2.08 1406.03 Reposted on: 12.2.15 1406.43 | I've twice been excused as a full time student living away from home in NY. I haven't yet been called since moving to Mass. | Sec19Row53
Lap cheong Level: 89
Posts: 1145/1765 EXP: 6678350 For next: 237578
Since: 2.1.02 From: Oconomowoc, WI
Since last post: 22 days Last activity: 7 hours
| #8 Posted on 12.2.08 1521.58 Reposted on: 12.2.15 1524.19 | I've been a registered voter for a long time, but never called for potential jury duty. Not much crime in these parts, I guess. | Corajudo
Frankfurter Level: 63
Posts: 643/810 EXP: 2036282 For next: 60881
Since: 7.11.02 From: Dallas, TX
Since last post: 3541 days Last activity: 3044 days
| #9 Posted on 12.2.08 1540.36 Reposted on: 12.2.15 1541.40 | Originally posted by DrDirt Nope, made to the interview phase twice, but they see PhD and you are excused. I have had the thrill of being deposed for several hours and serving as an expert witness. The funny part was both sides wanted me to testify and I pissed them both off. Damn facts.
For similar reasons, I've been interviewed but never chosen. Don't be so sure of the PhD-gets-you-out-of-jury-duty-free card because one of my colleagues got chosen for a case. In fact, he's an economist, which usually is doubly troubling.
Ironically, I've been thinking about this very topic because I have jury duty on Feb. 25. We'll see how that goes. | Kevintripod
Knackwurst Level: 109
Posts: 1157/2942 EXP: 13927753 For next: 31937
Since: 11.5.03 From: Mount Pleasant, Pa.
Since last post: 14 days Last activity: 3 days
| #10 Posted on 12.2.08 2135.44 Reposted on: 12.2.15 2136.12 | Twice I got excused because I was a full time student. Two other times I called the phone number the night before that they give you to find out if you have to actually be there the next morning, and found out I didn't have to go after all. | Zeruel
Thirty Millionth Hit Moderator Level: 142
Posts: 3460/5284 EXP: 34593277 For next: 375238
Since: 2.1.02 From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.
Since last post: 1666 days Last activity: 1666 days
| #11 Posted on 12.2.08 2341.00 Reposted on: 12.2.15 2341.21 | Originally posted by Sec19Row53 I've been a registered voter for a long time, but never called for potential jury duty. Not much crime in these parts, I guess.
Here in Maryland, back in 2000 they changed it so the jury pool was drawn from voter data AND anyone with a drivers license. I can see people giving up the right to vote to avoid getting called, but not giving up being legally able to drive. | TheBucsFan
TheChiefsFan Level: 118
Posts: 2160/3428 EXP: 18076574 For next: 306394
Since: 2.1.02
Since last post: 3507 days Last activity: 3507 days
| #12 Posted on 13.2.08 0130.20 Reposted on: 13.2.15 0131.26 | I served on the jury in a rape case that was horrifying to sit through. The suspect was a acquitted.
Originally posted by pieman The passing a stopped school bus one was the stupidest waste of taxpayers' money I have ever seen.
What would you recommend instead? This is an odd use of the word "waste." | pieman
As young as he feels Level: 123
Posts: 2813/3811 EXP: 21217475 For next: 13851
Since: 11.12.01 From: China, Maine
Since last post: 111 days Last activity: 5 days
| ICQ: | |
| Y!: | |
|
| #13 Posted on 13.2.08 0426.39 Reposted on: 13.2.15 0428.02 | Originally posted by TheBucsFan I served on the jury in a rape case that was horrifying to sit through. The suspect was a acquitted.
Originally posted by pieman The passing a stopped school bus one was the stupidest waste of taxpayers' money I have ever seen.
What would you recommend instead? This is an odd use of the word "waste."
Maybe waste wasn't the correct word here. If the fine elderly gentlemen had realized that 11 people saw him drive past a stopped school bus with the red lights flashing (not the yellow ones that come on to warn you the red ones are about to come on), then the judicial system could have been dealing with other cases that did need attention in a more expedient fashion. I would have recommended the dumbass pay the $200 fine and be done with it. | JayJayDean
Scrapple Level: 136
Posts: 3329/4750 EXP: 29484575 For next: 612417
Since: 2.1.02 From: Seattle, WA
Since last post: 2975 days Last activity: 2553 days
| | Y!: | |
|
| #14 Posted on 13.2.08 0916.50 Reposted on: 13.2.15 0917.23 | Originally posted by pieman
Originally posted by TheBucsFan I served on the jury in a rape case that was horrifying to sit through. The suspect was a acquitted.
Originally posted by pieman The passing a stopped school bus one was the stupidest waste of taxpayers' money I have ever seen.
What would you recommend instead? This is an odd use of the word "waste."
Maybe waste wasn't the correct word here. If the fine elderly gentlemen had realized that 11 people saw him drive past a stopped school bus with the red lights flashing (not the yellow ones that come on to warn you the red ones are about to come on), then the judicial system could have been dealing with other cases that did need attention in a more expedient fashion. I would have recommended the dumbass pay the $200 fine and be done with it.
That's why they should make the fine a lot bigger if you fight it and are found slam-dunk guilty (like eleven witnesses say you did it). If one party sues another they can be awarded the loser having to pay their legal fees, right? Have the jerk who wastes the court's time reimburse the taxpayers for a needless trial over $200.00.
On-topic - I have never had to serve. I got called a couple of times, but have always been able to get out of it with a note from my employer. | Corajudo
Frankfurter Level: 63
Posts: 645/810 EXP: 2036282 For next: 60881
Since: 7.11.02 From: Dallas, TX
Since last post: 3541 days Last activity: 3044 days
| #15 Posted on 13.2.08 1002.04 Reposted on: 13.2.15 1003.14 | Originally posted by JayJayDean That's why they should make the fine a lot bigger if you fight it and are found slam-dunk guilty (like eleven witnesses say you did it). If one party sues another they can be awarded the loser having to pay their legal fees, right? Have the jerk who wastes the court's time reimburse the taxpayers for a needless trial over $200.00.
So, then you could either be found 'not guilty', 'guilty, or 'slam dunk guilty'? What about 'damn guilty' or 'really, really slam dunk guilty' (like if there were 22 witnesses).
My guess is that the guy was hoping the cop issuing the ticket wouldn't show up in court, which would cause the fine to be dismissed. Not sure why he insisted on a jury trial, but it is his right. IMHO, it's hard to get too fired up by a waste of taxpayer money which involves a right set out in the Bill of Rights, when there are so many larger and stupider wastes of taxpayer money out there.
Of course, if you actually lose a day or two of your life serving on said jury then I can see why you would disagree! | jfkfc
Liverwurst Level: 74
Posts: 892/1179 EXP: 3637394 For next: 16167
Since: 9.2.02
Since last post: 2877 days Last activity: 2686 days
| #16 Posted on 13.2.08 1033.51 Reposted on: 13.2.15 1038.18 | I served on a jury once for a statutory rape case, where a guy who was 41 (looked 18) picked up a 14 year old girl (looked 18) at an AA meeting, and then slept with her over the course of the next few months. Oh, and his 19 year old estranged wife testified against him, I guess getting similar charges against her (she pretty much did the same thing as he did....well, pretty much) dropped/waived/dismissed/whatever. It only lasted 3 days, we deliberated for 2 hours, and found the guy guilty, easily. As depressing as the whole mess was, I've always felt that jury duty is just one of those things in life that should be experienced by all. | General Zod
Italian Level: 36
Posts: 130/237 EXP: 299627 For next: 8486
Since: 1.10.05 From: Mesa, Arizona
Since last post: 4273 days Last activity: 3462 days
| #17 Posted on 13.2.08 1056.43 Reposted on: 13.2.15 1057.18 | I have been called six times, the first time was right after I turned eighteen. Twice I was excused because I was in the military, twice I called and did not have to appear and twice I had to sit in the courthouse all day and never made it to the interview process. I used to think it would be fun to serve on a jury but now I dread getting the damn summons in the mail. | JayJayDean
Scrapple Level: 136
Posts: 3330/4750 EXP: 29484575 For next: 612417
Since: 2.1.02 From: Seattle, WA
Since last post: 2975 days Last activity: 2553 days
| | Y!: | |
|
| #18 Posted on 13.2.08 1103.35 Reposted on: 13.2.15 1103.54 | Originally posted by Corajudo So, then you could either be found 'not guilty', 'guilty, or 'slam dunk guilty'? What about 'damn guilty' or 'really, really slam dunk guilty' (like if there were 22 witnesses).
Well, if there were 22 witnesses I'd say the guy should get the electric chair, of course!
I just think it would be sensible for someone trying to play the "the cop won't show up"-card or something when they KNOW they "did it" - there should be the potential there that they won't only have to pay the fine but an add-on for wasting people's time. I mean, pieman - who knows how much time he has left? Wasting it in a courtroom just shouldn't be happening, man!
If they do it for civil cases I don't see why it would be bad to have that line of thinking on tickets and such. | Leroy
Boudin blanc Level: 100
Posts: 1136/2336 EXP: 10146012 For next: 208420
Since: 7.2.02
Since last post: 3 days Last activity: 3 hours
| #19 Posted on 13.2.08 1149.49 Reposted on: 13.2.15 1149.52 | Citizens should have the right to petition their government - especially the police - without worry over reprisals. Yes, some schmucks abuse the privilege.
I know, from first-hand experience, of people purposefully using the legal system as an attempt to financially cripple a governmental agency with which they disagreed. The plaintiff knew their case was weak, and would, most likely, result in a colossal waste of tax payer money in defending that case, and they were right on both counts. And every attempt was made to draw out the legal process to maximize the financial damage to the agency.
Our lawyer said it was one of the most egregious abuses of the legal system he had ever seen in his 20+ years of practicing law - and there was absolutely nothing we could do about it.
| dunkndollaz
Banger Level: 106
Posts: 2133/2658 EXP: 12341175 For next: 330809
Since: 3.1.02 From: Northern NJ
Since last post: 1639 days Last activity: 1095 days
| #20 Posted on 13.2.08 1247.24 Reposted on: 13.2.15 1248.51 | I am probably jinxing myself but I have never even been called for jury duty in the city or state I was currently living in and I am 45 years old. The notice has always come just after I moved.
And I just moved again but this time it was only 2 miles.... |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |