Jury duty...is it my duty?

[Miss Blunted]

So I've been selected for jury duty this week...yeah I'm sort of resentful about it. I just don't feel like I have any right to sit in judgement of another human being in a system of courts I have no faith in.

I know that a form of law and order has to be in place...but it's corrupt. Luckily I wasn't selected today, due to one of the two cases taking a plea (hope it wasn't some nice person that got caught smokin' a doobie or growing weed). At the same time, sitting on a jury for a case like that could actually let me help bring REAL justice to a person that doesn't deserve to be prosecuted.

I hate to even be a part of anything like sitting on a jury...at the same time, maybe I could do some good for a fellow human being that got caught up in the court system for some dumb shit that didn't hurt anyone. I went before a madgestrate for driving on a suspended a few years ago and actually saw a nice older man go before her for J-WALKING!!!!! Come on!

I suppose what I'm looking for is feedback, thoughts and other people's jury experiences. This will be consuming my whole week, so I thought it a good topic for discussion.

What do you think?

 

[sparkjumper]

I was a bad boy at 19 so I've never had to worry about it.Its easy enough to become excused though if you dont want to deal with it.Just answer the questions the lawyers pose to you in a way that you know will result in one or both disqualifying you.Just because you've been called doesnt mean you are going to be seated

 

[love?]

Go there and if it's weed-related vote "not guilty".

 

[Miss Blunted]

Go there and if it's weed-related vote "not guilty".

Love? I'm PRAYING that if I'm selected...it's a MJ case. NOT GUILTY!!!

Sparkjumper....I thought of just telling the Judge and the PA that I spit on the "justice system" in America and unless someone committs a violent crime or something that's just really horrible....I'm gonna say not guilty, regardless. I'm sure I would find my way to the door pretty fast.

At the same time...I want to be a part of somebody actually receiving deserved, REAL justice...the way it should be.

 

[sparkjumper]

You ned to be careful with that sweetie,contempt of court is just a bad mood away if the judge isnt too happy that morning.You want to become excluded during the juror choosing process,and it shouldnt be hard.If the defendant is black,you are a racist.If they ask if the crime affects you in a personal way because of past experiences,it does.There are just too many ways you can become excluded right off the bat

 

[GreenMachine22]

Haha about 3 years ago i got a j walking ticket wtf..

 

[iGro4Me]

Change it from the inside Miss B.

*you must spread some reputation around before giving it to Miss Blunted again*

 

[Pinball Wizard]

you're the only hope, the accused has...do your duty, citizen

 

[Miss Blunted]

your the only hope, the accused has...do your duty citizen

In my heart....that's what I feel too. I think it's just the "process" and the mandation of it that I want to battle in my head.

Sparkjumper....I know all about contempt. I moved out of my house for a year when Mr. Blunted and I separated and was summond (supposedly)...last September, I was later told. Well, I moved...changed my address first with the post office and with the Sec. of State a couple months later. The court never even had my new address (2 cities away) and sent my summons to my old house...it was never forwarded, I check my mail everyday (I like suprises). So, I move back in my old house with Mr. Blunted and last month got a notice that I was going to be held in contempt because I didn't show up....Man, the court never even had my new address!! I was kind of pissed off to get that letter in the mail....bastards. So when I called to set things straight, I was told I would be serving the week of the 26th of April. I pretty much told the lady tough shit, I'll be in Las Vegas! She was nice though and didn't give me any problems...she admitted the mistake with the address and it's all good.

....I wouldn't have told the judge to fuck off or anything, I would have just tried to hint that I don't have faith in the system and I may not be an "awesome" candidate. I'm actually pretty flirty and charming, but a bitch with a point at the same time...it usually works for me.

I'm an asshole....jeez Miss B.

 

[jefff]

This jury thing is a mind muddling challenge. We must have them to judge between right and wrong. I fought with the system 3 times in my life about being one. I was called "un-american" by one judge. Now at 65, I did the duty. Two of the slimiest people I ever see that were caught cooking/ selling crack. Guy and girl with 3 kids under 6. Have past history's you wouldn't believe. Yes, I voted to hang em. No way in hell do I want people like that in a already crowed world. Funny, the look on their faces when they were sententanced, 12 years each. Can you imagine sitting in a cell 12 yrs?

As far as voting not guilty because I do crack (I don't). Things like the pre-judging or not, change in the proccess as you sit with 11 other people and talk for days about doing the right thing..............

 

[Miss Blunted]

This jury thing is a mind muddling challenge. We must have them to judge between right and wrong. I fought with the system 3 times in my life about being one. I was called "un-american" by one judge. Now at 65, I did the duty. Two of the slimiest people I ever see that were caught cooking/ selling crack. Guy and girl with 3 kids under 6. Have past history's you wouldn't believe. Yes, I voted to hang em. No way in hell do I want people like that in a already crowed world. Funny, the look on their faces when they were sententanced, 12 years each. Can you imagine sitting in a cell 12 yrs?

As far as voting not guilty because I do crack (I don't). Things like the pre-judging or not, change in the proccess as you sit with 11 other people and talk for days about doing the right thing..............

This is exactly the imput I was looking for....thank you Jefff, I don't owe shit to any f-ing judge or any court system...it's the people like you and I that need people.....like you and I. You're a wise man...

 

[kmk420kali]

This jury thing is a mind muddling challenge. We must have them to judge between right and wrong. I fought with the system 3 times in my life about being one. I was called "un-american" by one judge. Now at 65, I did the duty. Two of the slimiest people I ever see that were caught cooking/ selling crack. Guy and girl with 3 kids under 6. Have past history's you wouldn't believe. Yes, I voted to hang em. No way in hell do I want people like that in a already crowed world. Funny, the look on their faces when they were sententanced, 12 years each. Can you imagine sitting in a cell 12 yrs?

As far as voting not guilty because I do crack (I don't). Things like the pre-judging or not, change in the proccess as you sit with 11 other people and talk for days about doing the right thing..............

I'm not going to bash, because we all have to do what we feel is right...
But, those ppl had a serious addiction, to one of the most addictive drugs there is-- They had children, which I am sure suffered from their parents' lifestyle...but do you think 12 years locked in a cage is the best thing for all concerned?? I don't, and I have done serious time in Prison...it is nothing more than a warehouse for ppl--
Ppl need help with drug problems, not to be locked up and forgotten--
It is easy to have compassion for ppl that are doing well, or are sick...but sometimes it is difficult to have compassion for the ppl that really need it--

Not trying to rant on you, just my personal opinion-- Peace--

 

[hkush]

If You Are Called For Jury Service
Don't worry! Be happy! Look at jury service as an opportunity to "do good" for yourself and others. It's your chance to help the justice system deliver justice, which is absolutely essential to a free society.

Also, you can do more "political good" as a juror than in practically any other way as a citizen: your vote on the verdict is also a measure of public opinion on the law itself--an opinion which our lawmakers are likely to take seriously. Short of being elected to office yourself, you may never otherwise have a more powerful impact on the rules we live by than you will as a trial juror.

However, unless you are fully informed of your powers as a juror, you may be manipulated by the less powerful players in the courtroom into delivering the verdict they want, instead of what justice would require. That is why this was written--to give you information that you're not likely to receive from the attorneys, or even from the judge.

Justice may depend upon your being chosen to serve, so here are some "words to the wise" about how to make it through voir dire, the jury selection process: You may feel that answering some of the questions asked of you would compromise your right to privacy. If you refuse to answer them, it will probably cost you your chance to serve. Likewise, if you "talk too much"--especially if you admit to knowing your rights and powers as a juror, as explained below, or that you have qualms about the law itself in the case at hand, or reveal that you're bright, educated, or are interested in serving! So, from voir dire to verdict, let your conscience be your guide.

Nothing in the U.S. Constitution or in any Supreme Court decision requires jurors to take an oath to follow the law as the judge explains it or, for that matter, authorizes the judge to "instruct" the jury at all. Judges provide their interpretation of the law, but you may also do your own thinking. Keep in mind that no juror's oath is enforceable, and that you may regard all "instructions" as advice.

Understanding the full context in which an illegal act was committed is essential to deciding whether the defendant acted rightly or wrongly. Strict application of the law may produce a guilty verdict, but what about justice? If the jurors agree that, beyond a reasonable doubt, the accused did act as charged, then "context becomes everything" in reaching a verdict you can live with. Credit or blame for the verdict will go to you, so be sure to ask the judge how you can pose questions to witnesses, so that you can learn the complete context, should the lawyers fail to bring it out.

When they believe justice requires it, jurors can refuse to apply the law. Jurors have the power to consider whether the law itself is wrong (including whether it is "unconstitutional"), or is being applied for political reasons. Is the defendant being singled out as "an example" in order to demonstrate government muscle? Were the defendant's constitutional rights violated during the arrest? Much of today's "crime wave" consists of victimless crimes--crimes against the state, or "political crimes", so if you feel that a verdict of guilty would give the government too much power, or help keep a bad law alive, just remember that you can refuse to apply any law that violates your conscience.

Prosecutors often "multiply charges" so the jury will assume the defendant "must be guilty of something". But one of the great mistakes a jury can make is to betray both truth and conscience by compromising. If you believe the defendant is not guilty of anything, then vote "not guilty" on all counts.

You can't be punished for voting according to your conscience. Judges (and other jurors) often pressure hold-out jurors into abandoning their true feelings and voting with the majority "...to avoid the expense of a hung jury and mistrial". But you don't have to give in. Why? Because...

Hung juries are "OKAY". If voting your conscience should lead to a hung jury, not to worry, you're doing the responsible thing. There is no requirement that you must reach a verdict. And the jury you hang may be significant as one of a series of hung juries sending messages to the legislature that the law you're working with has problems, and it's time for a change. If you want to reach consensus, however, one possible way is to remind your fellow jurors that...

Jurors have the power to reduce charges against the defendant, provided that "lesser included offenses" exist in law (ask the judge to list and explain them, and the range of potential punishments that go with each). Finding guilt at a lower level than charged can be appropriate in cases where the defendant has indeed victimized someone, but not so seriously as the original charges would indicate. And, if it will be up to the judge to decide the sentence, it's within the power of the jury to find the defendant guilty of a reduced charge which will, at most, entail the amount of punishment it thinks is appropriate.

The Jury Power Page hopes the above information helps you to find a verdict that you believe is conscientious and just, a verdict which you can therefore be proud to discuss with friends, family, legal professionals, the community or the media, should any of them want to know what happened, how, and why.

Jurors Handbook

 

[JustBlazed]

hkush, good job helping "The people" out and not just agreeing with things just because that's the way. Following the golden rule I do think you should testify. You would want someone on the jury who was your peer. A lot of older people are on Juries and if they keep our nation behind with their way of thinking inside the box and believing everything should be as it was in their time.

 

[Pops]

When a person goes on trial, the full weight of government and the full resources of our society are pitted against that person. The only chance the defendant has is his or her fellow citizen. As citizens serving on a jury, we not only judge the defendant, we also are responsible to judge the law and the penalty under the law. Jury nullification is a process that most judges will not explain, and often, they will not allow a defense attny to explain it.

As a jury member, you are responsible for judging whether the law actually fits the crime that was allegedly committed and whether the punishment is fitting for that "crime". As hkush pointed out, prosecutors love to heap multiple charges at a defendant to increase sentences. One of their favorites is to add weapons charges to cultivation or possession with intent, even though the weapon was locked up and not actually displayed by the defendant. They seem to forget that the defendant, as a citizen, has a constitutional right to own a weapon.

The U.S. has the harshest sentencing guidelines in the modern world. Many of them would probably be a violation of the Constitutional section on "cruel and unusual punishment". Often a defendants only hope of a "fair" trial, is a jury of informed citizens who do not rubber stamp whatever the government wants.

Please do your duty. You may be the defendants only hope!

 

[Pythagllio]

Sparkjumper....I thought of just telling the Judge and the PA that I spit on the "justice system" in America and unless someone committs a violent crime or something that's just really horrible....I'm gonna say not guilty, regardless. I'm sure I would find my way to the door pretty fast.

Around here they don't send you home if you do that. They make you sit around the courthouse doing nothing. But you get free parking and $15 a day!

The jury what keeps the system from being 100 times worse than it is.

 

[maryjanesdad]

So I've been selected for jury duty this week...yeah I'm sort of resentful about it. I just don't feel like I have any right to sit in judgement of another human being in a system of courts I have no faith in.

I know that a form of law and order has to be in place...but it's corrupt. Luckily I wasn't selected today, due to one of the two cases taking a plea (hope it wasn't some nice person that got caught smokin' a doobie or growing weed). At the same time, sitting on a jury for a case like that could actually let me help bring REAL justice to a person that doesn't deserve to be prosecuted.

I hate to even be a part of anything like sitting on a jury...at the same time, maybe I could do some good for a fellow human being that got caught up in the court system for some dumb shit that didn't hurt anyone. I went before a madgestrate for driving on a suspended a few years ago and actually saw a nice older man go before her for J-WALKING!!!!! Come on!

I suppose what I'm looking for is feedback, thoughts and other people's jury experiences. This will be consuming my whole week, so I thought it a good topic for discussion.

What do you think?

Look at it this way: you have the right to hold out and vote not guilty, use that to your advantage. Dont cave to the pressure and you might be the angel in this defendants life...karma baby, it always comes back twice

 

[robbiedublu]

Just do what most people do. Dont show.

 

[RexDark]

gives you the chance to let some fellow toker free I'd do it, and showed up stoned at that