http://www.thetalentshow.org/2004/04/25/how-it-all-went-down/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:26:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 http://www.thetalentshow.org/2004/04/25/how-it-all-went-down/#comment-2536 dAnimal Tue, 27 Apr 2004 01:49:09 +0000 http://www.thetalentshow.org/2004/04/25/how-it-all-went-down/#comment-2536 Um, what kind of a case was it going to be? You told us about the jury selection process, but not about the crime/lawsuit/whatever. Um, what kind of a case was it going to be? You told us about the jury selection process, but not about the crime/lawsuit/whatever.

]]> http://www.thetalentshow.org/2004/04/25/how-it-all-went-down/#comment-2535 Becky Mon, 26 Apr 2004 17:10:39 +0000 http://www.thetalentshow.org/2004/04/25/how-it-all-went-down/#comment-2535 I don't think they want smart people like you on the jury. Too much analysis of the facts slows down the legal process. I don’t think they want smart people like you on the jury. Too much analysis of the facts slows down the legal process.

]]> http://www.thetalentshow.org/2004/04/25/how-it-all-went-down/#comment-2534 Michael Mon, 26 Apr 2004 15:39:56 +0000 http://www.thetalentshow.org/2004/04/25/how-it-all-went-down/#comment-2534 I'm with Greg. I have no sympathy for people who either bitch and moan about having to serve, or who try to weasel out of it. Like being able to vote in elections? Then don't complain if you're asked to sit on a jury--especially if you think there might ever be the slightest chance you could be the one facing a jury allegedly of your peers. The one time I was called was a relatively simple insurance case--and there's no way I should have been allowed on that jury, because I knew one of the witnesses from volunteering at the local hospital. But I was never asked about anybody on the witness list, and by the time the doctor popped up on the stand we were two days into the trial. Wound up being a week of relative tedium, but I was happy to be doing one of my civic duties. Of course, it helps that at that time (as now) I work for a university that pays my regular salary if I'm called for jury duty, so I wasn't losing several days' wages by doing it. I’m with Greg. I have no sympathy for people who either bitch and moan about having to serve, or who try to weasel out of it. Like being able to vote in elections? Then don’t complain if you’re asked to sit on a jury–especially if you think there might ever be the slightest chance you could be the one facing a jury allegedly of your peers. The one time I was called was a relatively simple insurance case–and there’s no way I should have been allowed on that jury, because I knew one of the witnesses from volunteering at the local hospital. But I was never asked about anybody on the witness list, and by the time the doctor popped up on the stand we were two days into the trial. Wound up being a week of relative tedium, but I was happy to be doing one of my civic duties. Of course, it helps that at that time (as now) I work for a university that pays my regular salary if I’m called for jury duty, so I wasn’t losing several days’ wages by doing it.

]]> http://www.thetalentshow.org/2004/04/25/how-it-all-went-down/#comment-2533 jwer Mon, 26 Apr 2004 11:53:06 +0000 http://www.thetalentshow.org/2004/04/25/how-it-all-went-down/#comment-2533 You're definitely better off; while I was excited about my first actual jury duty, it ended up being rather unpleasant; the case was a clear-cut one of a crack/heroin dealer in Dupont Circle, D.C., and while the police witnesses were idiots and bungled what should've been slam dunk evidence, and the prosecuting attorney was apparently seconds out of his graduation ceremony, there was still no way the guy wasn't guilty... so everything was set, except that one woman refused to agree that he was guilty because the victim was a young black man (she was black) and she was worried about "messing up his life"... everyone was afraid to argue with her about it (except me, because I'm stupid) so I got put in a position where I'm sure she thought I was a total racist, and she was so unconvincing during the verdict that the defense attorney polled us, and she ALMOST caved and created a mistrial... it was very instructive, but I can't say I want to do it again anytime soon... You’re definitely better off; while I was excited about my first actual jury duty, it ended up being rather unpleasant; the case was a clear-cut one of a crack/heroin dealer in Dupont Circle, D.C., and while the police witnesses were idiots and bungled what should’ve been slam dunk evidence, and the prosecuting attorney was apparently seconds out of his graduation ceremony, there was still no way the guy wasn’t guilty… so everything was set, except that one woman refused to agree that he was guilty because the victim was a young black man (she was black) and she was worried about “messing up his life”… everyone was afraid to argue with her about it (except me, because I’m stupid) so I got put in a position where I’m sure she thought I was a total racist, and she was so unconvincing during the verdict that the defense attorney polled us, and she ALMOST caved and created a mistrial… it was very instructive, but I can’t say I want to do it again anytime soon…

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