I had federal duty a few years ago. I knew a witness, so I was excused. Only took three hours and it was kind of interesting. My job pays for jury duty, and the courts send, like, $10 for the day, so I got a paid vacation day plus a little bonus. Not bad.
I got called for local last fall, but when I called the day of, they said I was excused.
So while I've been called for duty, I've been excused both times.
I just did it a couple of months ago. I was picked to be on a jury for a shoplifting case--and it ended up being dismissed. The judge came and told us afterward that they had a tape of the woman stealing but that in the time between her arrest and the case going to court, the store accidentally taped over it, so the police and prosecutor could not refer to it as evidence.
I was also called a long time ago and the case was a young woman with some mental delays and a guy was accused of molesting her--and I was dismissed by the defense attorney when he asked me in a very snide tone if I would believe the victim if she testified. When I said yes I would--poof--I was out, lol. I thought it was a very interesting process and enjoyed it very much--but I don't think I would want to be on a big case or one that went very long.
I have never, ever been called - but I would love to be on a jury. I've wanted to be called for years, and nothing, ever, in any place I've ever lived.
Yes, about 10 years ago. There was 3 cases and I was picked for 2. The first one they ended up pleading after the whole day. The second one was an inmate was accused of assaulting a gaurd and we had to let the bastard off for lack of evidence. I hated that. We all did. It was very interesting and I'd like to do it again. I got called last summer, but they canceled it due to the hurricane.
I've been called many times and never chosen. From what I've seen, I would never be able to get a jury of my peers. I don't wear black panties with white cheap stretch pants 4 sizes too small.
Every time I change addresses and reregister to vote I get called. Sometimes I don't have to come in but when I do and it's a criminal case and I always get excused by the defense b/c I was a victim of a similar crime and I make it pretty clear that I'm not going to be entirely unbiased regardless of what the judge says I have to do. The last time during the selection process I was sitting in the court pews (?) waiting for my name to be called so I could be interviewed and dismissed and the defendant kept acting like a maniac looking back at us and calling us motherfuckers, aggressively hitting the table with his hands and just scowling the whole time. He was guilty in my mind before my ass was even called to the jury box and promptly dismissed. Sorry but don't act like you're about to murder everyone in the room if you don't want to be found guilty.
I was called this last August, but it was my kid's first day of Kindergarten. I sent in a letter asking to be given another day, as I did really want to serve but also didn't want to miss that morning with my little guy (he had been looking forward to it for so long). They excused me totally. I'm hoping they call again but for a time I can easily make.
I always wanted to be on a jury, but I usually don't get called or when I do, get sent home. Then, a few years ago, I got called up for a murder case. I thought I might be disqualified because I had to say that I knew someone who'd been murdered, but it wouldn't affect my decision. Then the attys asked, "Is there anyone who WANTS to be on the jury?" My hand shot up and I was the only one! I thought, "Oh, they're gonna mark off the crazy lady." But I was Juror No. 1! The next day, we gathered in the jury room and waited. And waited. Then they said they had one more question, called in Juror No. 7. And we waited. And waited. Then we got dismissed because they declared a mistrial!!!!
By the next time I got called to duty and made it into the courtroom, the judge looked surprised to see me, the prosecutor scowled at me and the defense attorney laughed. I had a job involving the courts and there was no way they would let me on the jury, even tho it was for a measly prescription drug fraud case. Dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People I know who never want to be on a jury are ALWAYS getting called in for grand jury, federal jury, city court jury, county jury duty but me? NOOOOO :-(
For those of you that want to get called, move here to Los Angeles.
I get called all the time. I'm always called to downtown LA to high profile cases (murder, famous people, or both).
Twice, I was minutes away from being sworn in on violent crime cases. One was a gang-related double murder...drive-by shootings. I would have to have seen all the crime scene photos (they were shot in the head).
The second was 1 count murder, 2 counts attempted murder...also gang-related, also firearms. The defendant was a minor at the time of the crime (so death penalty was off the table). He was sitting there in a suit and he looked SO young.
After I was excused from that first murder case, I was on a felony hit-and-run. No personal injury...just property damage. No one had insurance. It was an open and shut case (the defendant had a face-to-face conversation with witnesses and then denied it). I was the foreperson of the jury (I was about 26 years old) b/c no one else wanted to do it. It was an interesting process. I'm glad I only had to look at dented cars though.
I got a jury summons last week. Here, you call in after 5 the night before and a recording tells you if your number has been called.
I did a federal jury call in TX once and the process took all day. It was for a check fraud case. I got a kick out of all the potential jurors who said the watched crime shows and were really into it. I did not want to be on the jury so after the third round, when he attorney asked me a question I answered with 'what, sorry, can you repeat that'. I was out just like that. They don't like it if you don't pay attention!
Just read books. Good thing the library was across the street from the courthouse. Registered voters are a certain type. We crossed the street en masse on breaks.
I'm almost 40 and have been summoned via postal mail to call many, many times over the last 20 years but I would always toss it. Never got scared once until last year when they threatened to fine me, so I did it and they made call but I haven't had to go yet.
I got Grand Jury duty a few years ago. Never done "regular" jury duty but I've been called numerous times. In all honesty, I look at it as the price I pay for the privlege of living in a democracy. And I'll get off that soapbox now.
I was on one about 15 years ago - a family assault case. He was found guilty althoug we wanted to charge the "victim" as guilty also.
In the past 2 months I've been on 2 mock juries - and I've realized that there are a lot of incredibly stuipd people out there. On one mock jury, on a case where someone was rear ended while at a stoplight, one of the other jurors said the person who was rearended was partially guilty (we have comparative liability in Florida) because he was there on the street. I said "Even though he was at a stop light and stopped as required by law?" and he said "yes, if you're there, you're partially guilty." The older I get, the less I like people.
I've never been called, but my father was the bailiff on a mob case in Nevada -- and he (in his old man words) made goo-goo eyes at one of the jurors -- they've now been married for 20+ years, lol.
I always serve if I'm called. I also feel it's my civic duty. When you work at a university and have paid jury service, they always contact you. Now I work close to downtown LA so I'll probably get called somewhere else. lol
I had to do it and was on 2 juries back to back. Let me just say if I ever find myself on the wrong side of the law, I'd want a bench trial.
First case, we had a bully on the jury. Before we even walked in to deliberate he said "well, there's no way we're finding him guilty over pot!" And we didn't.
I don't know why, but I was picked first for a murder trial. Person after person dropped out and two more pools of jurors had to come in while I had to sit and listen to the same questions over and over.
I kept waiting to be dismissed because of the way I had answered some of the questions and previous legal assistant positions, but I stayed. The trial that went on way longer than planned (don't they all?) and I had to look at pictures of the crime scene and dead body.
One day when walking back to the courthouse after lunch, the accused was being offloaded from the police van and he froze when he saw me and never took his eyes off me. It sure scared me.
I don't live in the country anymore, but I was called once for a murder trial in CA. The lawyer asked, "Have you ever seen a murder?" He probably expected me to say no, but I have, and that plus the fact I am a journalist (international politics not celebs) I was instantly excused.
I saw a guy get shot in the back and the bullet came out through his stomach while he was trying to get away on a motor cycle.He crashed against the curb and then ran into the middle of the intersecting shouting "f*ck! f*ck!" It was pretty bad. Apparently he was taunting some gardeners who were in the back of a pick up truck. The police later reported that he (the taunter) had just gotten out of jail.
I served as a juror for the first time a few months ago. I was nervous and excited at the same time.The accuser punched his 2 month old infant in the abdomen causing him to die. It was hard to see the autopsy photos but even harder to come out and tell the judge that we could not reach a verdict due to one juror who would not budge. (She would call her atty bf during our breaks.) I became close witb the other jurors and it was a life changing experience. I would serve again in a heartbeat.
Yeah no one wants to serve in CA because the cases go on for longer than expected and they pay you squat. I know it's my civic duty but I swear if you show up for one of them (and GreenGal can verify) they will continue to put you on the rotation. I wasn't called for the longest time and then went to one. Got dismissed and I swear to God I was called exactly 6 months later. Threw that notice away and then another 6 months, BOOM jury call. I know I'm going to hell but I just toss them now. My seester in law is too scared to do that, is also a teacher and gets called once a year without fail.
Yes when I lived in LA. It was judge ito's court and a murder case. The prosecutor excused me when u said if I was attacked I would defend myself until someone stopped moving and it wasn't going to be me. It was a skid row murder and involved drugs and a homeless man and woman. The whole process was interesting to me.
I've been called three times and actually served on a jury the last time (two years ago now). It was interesting: an assault case. There was no dispute about whether the guy did it, the only real question was: was it attempted murder or just felonious assault (or some such)? We were about half and half most of the time as to the two options, so he was convicted of the lesser crime. Those of us on the side of of not-attempted-murder didn't feel there was enough evidence provided that we felt or knew the perpetrator was trying to kill the other guy rather than maim. I thought our jury was a very good/balanced group of people for the most part, but I could totally see how one strong-willed individual could also steer a verdict one way or the other.
Yes when I lived in LA. It was judge ito's court and a murder case. The prosecutor excused me when u said if I was attacked I would defend myself until someone stopped moving and it wasn't going to be me. It was a skid row murder and involved drugs and a homeless man and woman. The whole process was interesting to me.
I've been called for jury duty many times, but never was chosen to sit on a jury. I did get tapped for the county grand jury a few years ago. That was a neat experience.
Since the burden of proof for a grand jury is only preponderance, they're way less selective in letting people on board. There was one guy who actually told the Judge that he didn't like or trust cops. The judge replied "So, you'll be tougher on cops than other witnesses?" When they guy affirmed the judge said, "Good, we can use you."
The first thing I noticed about the grand jury was that it represented an accurate cross-section of the county's demographics. That was pretty interesting.
We had some interesting cases, one of which was pretty big news around here.
The main downside is that in this county when you're on the grand jury, you're on the hook for one calendar month. You get some days off here and there and leave early occasionally so you can go to work some times, but it's still pretty tough.
Best thing about it was definitely all the reading time I had. I think I went through seven books that month.
Overall, I'd have to say it was an enjoyable experience.
In New York City they have a monthly newspaper called the "Jury Pool News" which is actually pretty entertaining. And you also see instructional videos with NYC stars in it, telling you how important Jury Duty is. Sarah Jessica Parker was in mine.
At the actual Jury Duty it's a typical NYC freakshow. Plenty or normal people but then there was also the guy sitting near me talking to a mango in his briefcase.
I had to do 3 days of Duty, didn't actually get called into a trial or anything but just sat and waited. I actually ran into an old friend from college which was fun, we toured all the sites of downtown NYC on our breaks. I was working in midtown at the time so it was all new for me down there.
Yup, death penalty case. They put me on the stand, which is how they do it in my state, I told the judge that the instructions were bunk and told them why, and I was dismissed for cause.
But then, I represented someone for his last few years who got executed, I was at the execution, and most of the prosecutors and defense lawyers knew that, or knew me personally.
However the case I was called for ended, whether a plea or verdict, the defendants got life.
Years ago I did grand jury duty in New York City. Monday through Friday, half a day, for a month. Mostly it wasn't that interesting. Purse snatchings, drunken brawls, etc. Not even a good bank stick-up for gish sake! DA comes in, reads the charges, presents some kind of evidence and the jury indicts.
The one case that provided some amusement was that several guys were arrested for holding up a Korean brothel. They had several of the employees of the house come in and testify, and they were all dressed veeeeeeeery conservatively in gray suits and such. Several of us couldn't help but laugh, imagining how they dressed where they were, uh, on the clock.
The first time I got called for Jury duty, I was surprised at how many people showed up - but I soon learned why. Seems there was a big criminal case that was going to be tried - a drive by shooting by boat that happened around Long Beach on Long Island. Just looking at the defendants and the attorney's - it was definitely mob related. I got out of it because i told the judge I didn't really trust cops due to things that happened with my brother.
The next day I got picked for a jury concerning a wall that fell on some pedestrian. It settled the day the trial was to start.
I get called for jury duty once a year. Every year. I have to go in 3 weeks. Again.
I have been to the courthouse a few dozen times now. Never actually been called for actual jury duty. I was alternate once on a civil case that lasted 1 hour.
The very first time I was called, it was for a murder trial. During Voir dire, I was excused. It turned out I knew almost everyone involved. The victim was the ex-boyfriend of my(at that time)girlfriend. The shooter was the older brother of a co-worker. And I knew most of the witnesses.
Mostly, I just go and sit in the large jury waiting room. They have wi-fi. Last time, I ended up knowing about 1/2 dozen of my fellow jurors(out of the 200+ called that day). We just sat around watching movies on my laptop.
Twice. The first time I was a housewife in Kansas and got called on a case where a dumbass woman decided to walk downtown because she was low on checks during an ice storm, slipped and fell in front of the bank, and sued them. She blamed her divorce, loss of custody of her children, the wreckage of her whole life, on that broken ankle. None of us on the jury liked her and it was five grueling days of testimony about sidewalk angles in an overheated courtroom, zzzzz...
Second time was more interesting. By now I was divorced and working for lawyers, who carefully instructed me on all the things to say during the voir dire to get dropped. But I was picked, after four days of sitting in a dirty holding room with nothing to do and no food other than vending machines, for a trial of a man accused of armed robbery. In spite of (truthfully) telling them I had relatives who were in law enforcement, in spite of the fact that I worked for lawyers, and was white and middle aged while the defendant was young and black, they kept me. Trial was interesting, and while we all agreed that the guy was probably guilty and would most likely rob us as we walked back to our cars, we let him go because the state didn't prove the case. Then the judge told us about his prior convictions. :P
I agree it's our duty to serve. If I were ever being tried, I wouldn't want the jury to consist of a bunch of bums, so I think we should all serve when called. But in 20 years in Florida, I've never been called once.
Oh, almost forgot. The lawyers I was working for were so furious that I didn't get myself dismissed, they made me make up the time I was off work by working overtime. It took a long time to make up five days by staying til 6 every night.
My mother did it several YRS ago but I've never been called and I'm glad! I don't want to do it and I have no time since I'm a stay at home mom who homeschools, so I'd just have to make some outrageous bias comment or something if so to have myself excused.
I've been called repeatedly but only screened for a jury once, at which point I was dismissed for being married to a cop. Truthfully I wouldn't want to be on a jury, because I have trouble listening when people talk and I think I'd be mentally checked out the whole time, and that would be horribly irresponsible.
I went to Clarke in Westbury (East Meadow district)! Not sure how old you are but I graduated from HS in 1993. I went to Merrick Woods for camp from age 4-13. :) I live in Los Angeles now, but I go back at least once a year to see my parents.
November 2011 I sat on a murder trial. It was exhausting. The defendant was in his 70's and was accused of killing his mother-in-law, who was in her 80's. At first I thought he did it, but after hearing the evidence, I was convinced of his innocence. I remember there was one asshole on the jury who pored over the photos over and over; I finally realized he was looking for something the detectives had missed. *eye roll* Finally we got the judge's instructions that we had to come to a decision that night (it was a Friday) and we couldn't, so we were finally told we could go home at 1am in the morning with a hung jury. I cried all the way home because the poor man had to go through another trial. I later bumped into one of the back up jurors in the mall (she had been waiting in the courtroom to hear the verdict) and she said that if we'd told the judge that we wanted to come back to continue he would have let us, but he'd given us the impression that we had to come to a verdict that night.
I was originally a back up juror (that's not the term but I can't for the life of me think of it) but I got to be on the jury because a girl on the jury kept talking and talking about the case, even though we kept telling her to SHUT UP! Finally when she spoke about it TO THE DEPUTY ESCORTING US she was kicked off.
Similarly to @Syko, I was on a jury for a slip-n-fall. The woman claimed she slipped on crumbling stairs in a poorly lit stairwell at her apartment building. However, she didn't seek treatment and just went to her regular chiropractor appt. the next day. Between then and the time she sued she had two car accidents. But - her suit claimed that everything (bone spurs, back surgery, loss of congugal relations with her girlfriend, yada yada) ALL stemmed from the fall. It was a split decision (civil case) but ... yeah, she got nada.
The other was an assault case involving a landlord and a tenant. Honestly, they were both annoying enough to make Mother Teresa spit nails. The landlord was changing the locks on the tenant before she was out of the place. The tenant came back and caught him and they began to fight. She picked up the box with the lock in it and threw it at the landlord, missed, and hit his wife in the head. The tenant was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. She claimed self-defense. We had a juror who was legitimately developmentally disabled so eventually we had to break it down for him to, "was she mad when she threw the lock or was she scared?" Everyone agreed she was mad (aka/assault) but to a lesser degree (tho' some wanted the lock classified as a "deadly weapon." Really?)
All in all, I found jury duty to be frustrating, but worthwhile. But based upon my experience, I hope I never have to rely on a jury of my peers to decide my fate.
Similarly to @Syko, I was on a jury for a slip-n-fall. The woman claimed she slipped on crumbling stairs in a poorly lit stairwell at her apartment building. However, she didn't seek treatment and just went to her regular chiropractor appt. the next day. Between then and the time she sued she had two car accidents. But - her suit claimed that everything (bone spurs, back surgery, loss of congugal relations with her girlfriend, yada yada) ALL stemmed from the fall. It was a split decision (civil case) but ... yeah, she got nada.
The other was an assault case involving a landlord and a tenant. Honestly, they were both annoying enough to make Mother Teresa spit nails. The landlord was changing the locks on the tenant before she was out of the place. The tenant came back and caught him and they began to fight. She picked up the box with the lock in it and threw it at the landlord, missed, and hit his wife in the head. The tenant was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. She claimed self-defense. We had a juror who was legitimately developmentally disabled so eventually we had to break it down for him to, "was she mad when she threw the lock or was she scared?" Everyone agreed she was mad (aka/assault) but to a lesser degree (tho' some wanted the lock classified as a "deadly weapon." Really?)
All in all, I found jury duty to be frustrating, but worthwhile. But based upon my experience, I hope I never have to rely on a jury of my peers to decide my fate.
every few years like clockwork; finally picked and served this past fall on a four-week criminal trial. At least the restaurants downtown are excellent.
Oh, in when I was called for the fed case in TX if you did not show up, they called you can gave you 15minutes to show to the courthouse. If you weren't there they sent a posse of sheriffs out to pick you up. No joke. It was a little scary and I'm glad I was on time.
Yes. Nothing more akward than discussing the details of a sexual assault case with strangers. Overall, it was an interesting experience. I feel good about the decision we made.
I get called for jury duty every 2 years on the nose. I will tell you about jury duty when I lived in Mississippi. First they send you a a questionnaire of about 200 questions a few weeks before you appear. When the day arrived, they started off with about 300 people. They narrowed it down to about 100. You go into the court room 12 at a time so they can ask you all questions as a group. You know the usual...do you believe in the death penalty? Are you familiar with the case? After that, we were all instructed to go pack a bag with about a weeks worth of clothes. When we all got back, were sent to some sort of large room with many tables. I suppose the lawyers were deciding who would be picked. All behind clothes doors. Finally, they call you all to the court room to announce who the jurors will be. I was laughing with some others there that it would be funny if we got called down like we were on the Price is Right. When it was finally over, it was 11.5 hours later. I had only had a quick lunch. There is nothing there to eat and you can't leave the courthouse. The only fun and amusing thing about it all was listing to the excuses told to the judge on why they couldn't serve. Priceless! BTW, I didn't get picked.
I was foreperson last year on a manslaughter trial that resulted in a hung jury. Don't want to reveal anything because of retrial, but I found out later (from a friend in law enforcement) about all the horrible things the defense managed to keep from us. I'd serve again, though...
Called 3x's served once. A drunk driving case. The guy was guilty as sin and weaving all over the road. Some bleeding hearts wanted him forgiven on his 2nd offense since turning 21yrs old (He was 22) and He got a hung jury.
I told the 4 people who wanted to let him go, I hope he wasn't going to meet one of their family members coming the other way.
OMG, I am so jealous of all the stories! And I'm thrilled that the vast majority here want to serve.
I have been an active, registered voter since 18 (23 years), and I was only called once. It was for probation violation/handgun possession. My attorney friend at the time said i probably was dismissed because I have been the victim of maybe 5 crimes, and had to list them on the questionaire--just property crimes and indecent exposures---but I guess former crime victims are more likely to convict, so defense attorneys purge them? Anyway, I am free-thinking, not stupid, and i would not be afraid to hang a jury alone if i had to. that defense attorney was du-uumb to purge me, if he was the one. While we were being questioned, we heard the gist of the case and 'evidence', which sounded really puffed-up and sketchy to me immediately. I was FULLY READY to give that Defendant a very fair trial. Like I said: du-uumb to dismiss me.
Every time I'm called for jury duty, I happen to be moving out of state. It's uncanny and I suspect they will accuse me of setting it up. Has happened on three separate occasions. True Story.
Only been called for jury duty once. Being its a small county I am surprised that its only been once. One guy was actually trying to be made foreman before the jury was even picked. He thought he knew more then all of us because he had been a small town policeman for 2 years, some time before. I knew the judge as he was my daughters 4H leader. He didn't realize it at the time. I told the att's that I would have a problem judging someone. They let me go after only 10 minutes. Was totally outraged by the guy trying to be foreman. I have only been called once in 34 years.
I served on a weapons & theft case. We also had a CSI-type in our group who was ridiculous. Other than that it was a really good experience and I'd do it again but now I work at a maximum security prison so I imagine that would probably get me dismissed from most cases
I haven't, but my mum has. Apparently it was the trial of a guy accused of being a pimp, but they found him not guilty because of lack of evidence. The judge disallowed the diary of one of his "girls" on the grounds that diaries can be fantasy. Also, he didn't seem to be very successful if he was a pimp, because his stuff kept getting taken by debt collectors or repossessed by hire purchase companies.
My mum says they all thought he was guilty of something, they just couldn't prove hew was a pimp.
I received a subpoena telling me I had to appear for jury duty on a certain date. The day before, I get a call from a sheriff, telling me the case plead out. He gave me a new date. Same thing happens again -- day before, he calls to tell me it was settled and gave me a new date. This happened three or four times. He then tells me that I'm off the hook - I kept saying "are you sure? They're not going to arrest me for not showing up?" He said the subpoena was only good for a month, and not to worry.
I was so relieved, because a few days before I received the subpoena, there had a been a huge mob bust. I was actually having nightmares about serving on a mob jury (can you tell I watch too much TV, lol?).
I hafta go up in June for jury duty....I'm planning on reinacting the movie 12 Angry Men all by myself..... I got called once before in Philadelphia, the courthouse there was featured in 12 monkeys ( I have a 12 theme going here) Anyway the building was cool, but they didn't choose me or anyone else who had a college degree.....so this time I'm gonna tell them I am a cashier at Speedway.
I've been called 3 times - 2 times I had excuses (school & a pre-booked vacation) and the third time I wasn't picked. It was all in the same year too.
For those of you familiar with the Robert Pickton case in Vancouver, my husband's best friend was called for that. He was excused because the trial would have caused financial hardship since it went on for so long. (As an aside, my forensics professor was the head person in charge of recovery at the scene and a friend's Dad was the head detective in charge of the scene or something - both were used to grizzly scenes and they both were very impacted. My professor was crazy talented at her job too - think Temperance on Bones).
Meg - have they found all the bodies on his farm? I know that they were still combing it over a year or so ago...
I'm surprised I've never been picked since I live in Wayne County now (Detroit), but they said on the news that they are going to start fining people that don't show up because it's not getting a good cross section of the population (mostly black criminals, juries are mostly white suburbanites). I worked in law enforcement and did loss prevention for 7 years.
Yes, just served for the very first time for 5 weeks in December. I pulled a Federal case where a police sgt. in my city shot and killed an unarmed man during a confrontation. The family was suing the Chief of Police, the City, and the police department in a civil suit - it was Federal due to charges of civil rights violation.
Deliberation was rough. We found only the officer liable for excessive force (emptied his clip and did a combat reload and continued to fire), but all other counts were deadlocked and/or not liable.
After the case, we jurors were called to meet with the Chief of Police, city attorney, and a few others. We found out that the "victim" - and I use that term loosely - was high on PCP, a Bulldog gang member, had just been released from prison where he was in for murder, and while incarcerated beat another inmate to death.
The day before he was shot and killed by the cop, he'd been pulled over and indeed had a weapon at that time, which he threatened the arresting officers with (he was arrested but due to jail overcrowding, he was released within hours).
None of this was admissible at the time of the trial, but would have been brought out had we moved into the award phase (it was settled during Xmas recess).
There were several Bulldog gang members in the gallery, and they would bark at us jurors, make ear-to-ear slashing movements at the cops in the courtroom, and were pretty intimidating.
All in all, a fascinating time, and I'm happy I could serve. Never really realized how stressful it could be, tho'.
Just wanted to add, I made a couple of lifelong friends while serving on the above-mentioned jury duty. That was great ~ And Federal paid $40/day + mileage. And the judge bought us donuts every morning, and during deliberations, they picked up the tab for lunch every day. Not a bad gig.
And, on the deadlocked counts ... Ugh. We had one woman who wanted any reason to hang the City, the Police Chief, the PD, etc. She kept referring to prior cases of officer-involved shootings. We other jurors kept trying to get across to her that we were only deliberating THIS CASE and not trying other OI shootings in the history of the city. She just didn't get it, and started crying and carrying on. When we were in the jury box and the polled each of us, she was wailing. It was ridiculous. And she was so furious with the rest of us for not hanging "the establishment".
I've gotten called 4 times, with the first time being just after I turned 18 (the first possible point they could call me). On that one, I was selected for the jury without any questioning...I always wonder what made both sides want me no questions asked! But it ended up being a First Degree murder trial...had to be an all or none conviction, and we convicted him for life without parole, which, in Michigan is the max punishment as there is no death penalty. I was going to school for Criminal Justice at the time and that experience made me immediately change my major.
@Amy in MI - Last I heard, they had recovered as much as they thought they could (as he fed the bodies to the pigs on his farm and otherwise sold the human flesh mixed in with the ground pork he sold from his farm).
As he's already in prison for life without parole, they're not going to recover any more as they doubt they could get any identification from any remain fragments. I don't think they're even going to prosecute him for the last round of murders that they have evidence for since it's not going to change anything as he's in for life with no parole. (Though it probably would bring closure to the families, but would also dredge it all up for them). He seriously was one sick bastard - horrible horrible man. There's a special place in hell.
The crazy thing is I moved into the 'burbs a couple of months ago and where everyone shops (huge shopping centre with a Walmart Supercentre, Costco, etc) was originally part of the farm before he started having to sell parts of it off (before the murders). I doubt most people realize that when they're picking up groceries, they're on the land that was once his.
Yes, just once about 5 years ago. I was SO excited to be called (I got to miss work! And free lunch!). Much of the day was spent in a room with the other potential jurors. It was pre-smartphones, so I think I played Tetris on my phone and read books for...like 4 hours. That part was horrible.
I was selected as a juror and luckily, the case was fairly interesting. It was a homeowner vs. a GC who was claiming bad/incomplete work. It went fairly quickly and I remember being enthralled with the whole process.
I also remember feeling REALLY awkward leaving the courtroom b/c I had to end up walking by the people I'd just sided against in the case. I know there are security checks at the entrance, but I kept thinking "I need to get the hell out of here in case one of them is crazy and they shoot me."
I can't wait to read all these stories when I have more time!
I sat on a jury where a man was charged with randomly assaulting two drag queens who were simply walking down the street. They testified (which was so Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), two other witnesses testified and there was solid evidence against the defendant and STILL my fellow jurors did not want to convict. Their reasons? "They didn't like those weird men in dresses." "Those men were asking for it and they should put on pants." I refused to leave until he was found guilty and I guess they cared more about getting out of there than their "convictions that it's okay to try to kill someone you don't like the looks of", so they changed their votes. I would have sat there forever voting guilty.
I had federal duty a few years ago. I knew a witness, so I was excused. Only took three hours and it was kind of interesting. My job pays for jury duty, and the courts send, like, $10 for the day, so I got a paid vacation day plus a little bonus. Not bad.
ReplyDeleteI got called for local last fall, but when I called the day of, they said I was excused.
So while I've been called for duty, I've been excused both times.
I just did it a couple of months ago. I was picked to be on a jury for a shoplifting case--and it ended up being dismissed. The judge came and told us afterward that they had a tape of the woman stealing but that in the time between her arrest and the case going to court, the store accidentally taped over it, so the police and prosecutor could not refer to it as evidence.
ReplyDeleteI was also called a long time ago and the case was a young woman with some mental delays and a guy was accused of molesting her--and I was dismissed by the defense attorney when he asked me in a very snide tone if I would believe the victim if she testified. When I said yes I would--poof--I was out, lol. I thought it was a very interesting process and enjoyed it very much--but I don't think I would want to be on a big case or one that went very long.
I was called twice in my early 20's. Both times I was sent home. I was bummed about that.
ReplyDeleteI have never, ever been called - but I would love to be on a jury. I've wanted to be called for years, and nothing, ever, in any place I've ever lived.
ReplyDeleteYes, about 10 years ago. There was 3 cases and I was picked for 2. The first one they ended up pleading after the whole day. The second one was an inmate was accused of assaulting a gaurd and we had to let the bastard off for lack of evidence. I hated that. We all did.
ReplyDeleteIt was very interesting and I'd like to do it again. I got called last summer, but they canceled it due to the hurricane.
I've been called many times and never chosen. From what I've seen, I would never be able to get a jury of my peers. I don't wear black panties with white cheap stretch pants 4 sizes too small.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I change addresses and reregister to vote I get called. Sometimes I don't have to come in but when I do and it's a criminal case and I always get excused by the defense b/c I was a victim of a similar crime and I make it pretty clear that I'm not going to be entirely unbiased regardless of what the judge says I have to do. The last time during the selection process I was sitting in the court pews (?) waiting for my name to be called so I could be interviewed and dismissed and the defendant kept acting like a maniac looking back at us and calling us motherfuckers, aggressively hitting the table with his hands and just scowling the whole time. He was guilty in my mind before my ass was even called to the jury box and promptly dismissed. Sorry but don't act like you're about to murder everyone in the room if you don't want to be found guilty.
ReplyDeleteI was called this last August, but it was my kid's first day of Kindergarten. I sent in a letter asking to be given another day, as I did really want to serve but also didn't want to miss that morning with my little guy (he had been looking forward to it for so long). They excused me totally. I'm hoping they call again but for a time I can easily make.
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to be on a jury, but I usually don't get called or when I do, get sent home. Then, a few years ago, I got called up for a murder case. I thought I might be disqualified because I had to say that I knew someone who'd been murdered, but it wouldn't affect my decision. Then the attys asked, "Is there anyone who WANTS to be on the jury?" My hand shot up and I was the only one! I thought, "Oh, they're gonna mark off the crazy lady." But I was Juror No. 1! The next day, we gathered in the jury room and waited. And waited. Then they said they had one more question, called in Juror No. 7. And we waited. And waited. Then we got dismissed because they declared a mistrial!!!!
ReplyDeleteBy the next time I got called to duty and made it into the courtroom, the judge looked surprised to see me, the prosecutor scowled at me and the defense attorney laughed. I had a job involving the courts and there was no way they would let me on the jury, even tho it was for a measly prescription drug fraud case. Dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People I know who never want to be on a jury are ALWAYS getting called in for grand jury, federal jury, city court jury, county jury duty but me? NOOOOO :-(
I would make such a good juror!
No but I think it would be interesting.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you that want to get called, move here to Los Angeles.
ReplyDeleteI get called all the time. I'm always called to downtown LA to high profile cases (murder, famous people, or both).
Twice, I was minutes away from being sworn in on violent crime cases. One was a gang-related double murder...drive-by shootings. I would have to have seen all the crime scene photos (they were shot in the head).
The second was 1 count murder, 2 counts attempted murder...also gang-related, also firearms. The defendant was a minor at the time of the crime (so death penalty was off the table). He was sitting there in a suit and he looked SO young.
After I was excused from that first murder case, I was on a felony hit-and-run. No personal injury...just property damage. No one had insurance. It was an open and shut case (the defendant had a face-to-face conversation with witnesses and then denied it). I was the foreperson of the jury (I was about 26 years old) b/c no one else wanted to do it. It was an interesting process. I'm glad I only had to look at dented cars though.
I got a jury summons last week. Here, you call in after 5 the night before and a recording tells you if your number has been called.
ReplyDeleteI did a federal jury call in TX once and the process took all day. It was for a check fraud case. I got a kick out of all the potential jurors who said the watched crime shows and were really into it. I did not want to be on the jury so after the third round, when he attorney asked me a question I answered with 'what, sorry, can you repeat that'. I was out just like that. They don't like it if you don't pay attention!
I think I've been called like 7 or 8 times in 15 years.
ReplyDeleteJust read books. Good thing the library was across the street from the courthouse. Registered voters are a certain type. We crossed the street en masse on breaks.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost 40 and have been summoned via postal mail to call many, many times over the last 20 years but I would always toss it. Never got scared once until last year when they threatened to fine me, so I did it and they made call but I haven't had to go yet.
ReplyDeletebecome a teacher if you want to get called! they get called ALL THE TIME!!
ReplyDeleteI got Grand Jury duty a few years ago. Never done "regular" jury duty but I've been called numerous times.
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, I look at it as the price I pay for the privlege of living in a democracy.
And I'll get off that soapbox now.
I keep getting called. It's a pain in the ass because you have to go all the way to the bottom of Manhattan.
ReplyDeleteI just sit there and usually end up dismissed.
Is this Jury Duty Week? This is the third time I've seen jury duty mentioned and it's only Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteCo-sign with Merlin D. Bear that it's our duty.
ReplyDeleteI was on one about 15 years ago - a family assault case. He was found guilty althoug we wanted to charge the "victim" as guilty also.
In the past 2 months I've been on 2 mock juries - and I've realized that there are a lot of incredibly stuipd people out there. On one mock jury, on a case where someone was rear ended while at a stoplight, one of the other jurors said the person who was rearended was partially guilty (we have comparative liability in Florida) because he was there on the street. I said "Even though he was at a stop light and stopped as required by law?" and he said "yes, if you're there, you're partially guilty." The older I get, the less I like people.
I've never been called, but my father was the bailiff on a mob case in Nevada -- and he (in his old man words) made goo-goo eyes at one of the jurors -- they've now been married for 20+ years, lol.
ReplyDeleteI always serve if I'm called. I also feel it's my civic duty. When you work at a university and have paid jury service, they always contact you. Now I work close to downtown LA so I'll probably get called somewhere else. lol
ReplyDeleteI had to do it and was on 2 juries back to back. Let me just say if I ever find myself on the wrong side of the law, I'd want a bench trial.
ReplyDeleteFirst case, we had a bully on the jury. Before we even walked in to deliberate he said "well, there's no way we're finding him guilty over pot!" And we didn't.
I don't know why, but I was picked first for a murder trial. Person after person dropped out and two more pools of jurors had to come in while I had to sit and listen to the same questions over and over.
ReplyDeleteI kept waiting to be dismissed because of the way I had answered some of the questions and previous legal assistant positions, but I stayed. The trial that went on way longer than planned (don't they all?) and I had to look at pictures of the crime scene and dead body.
One day when walking back to the courthouse after lunch, the accused was being offloaded from the police van and he froze when he saw me and never took his eyes off me. It sure scared me.
I've never been called but my husband gets called every 2 years without fail.
ReplyDeleteBeen waiting to get called since the day I registered to vote at 18. Here I am 8 years later, and never been called :(
ReplyDeleteI don't live in the country anymore, but I was called once for a murder trial in CA. The lawyer asked, "Have you ever seen a murder?" He probably expected me to say no, but I have, and that plus the fact I am a journalist (international politics not celebs) I was instantly excused.
ReplyDeleteI saw a guy get shot in the back and the bullet came out through his stomach while he was trying to get away on a motor cycle.He crashed against the curb and then ran into the middle of the intersecting shouting "f*ck! f*ck!" It was pretty bad. Apparently he was taunting some gardeners who were in the back of a pick up truck. The police later reported that he (the taunter) had just gotten out of jail.
I served as a juror for the first time a few months ago. I was nervous and excited at the same time.The accuser punched his 2 month old infant in the abdomen causing him to die. It was hard to see the autopsy photos but even harder to come out and tell the judge that we could not reach a verdict due to one juror who would not budge. (She would call her atty bf during our breaks.) I became close witb the other jurors and it was a life changing experience. I would serve again in a heartbeat.
ReplyDelete*intersection
ReplyDeleteYeah no one wants to serve in CA because the cases go on for longer than expected and they pay you squat. I know it's my civic duty but I swear if you show up for one of them (and GreenGal can verify) they will continue to put you on the rotation. I wasn't called for the longest time and then went to one. Got dismissed and I swear to God I was called exactly 6 months later. Threw that notice away and then another 6 months, BOOM jury call. I know I'm going to hell but I just toss them now.
ReplyDeleteMy seester in law is too scared to do that, is also a teacher and gets called once a year without fail.
I never get that far....
ReplyDeleteYes when I lived in LA. It was judge ito's court and a murder case. The prosecutor excused me when u said if I was attacked I would defend myself until someone stopped moving and it wasn't going to be me. It was a skid row murder and involved drugs and a homeless man and woman. The whole process was interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteseaward, I registered to vote on my 18th birthday and 23 years later, STILL haven't been called (and I want to serve because it *is* our civic duty.)
ReplyDeleteI've been called three times and actually served on a jury the last time (two years ago now). It was interesting: an assault case. There was no dispute about whether the guy did it, the only real question was: was it attempted murder or just felonious assault (or some such)? We were about half and half most of the time as to the two options, so he was convicted of the lesser crime. Those of us on the side of of not-attempted-murder didn't feel there was enough evidence provided that we felt or knew the perpetrator was trying to kill the other guy rather than maim. I thought our jury was a very good/balanced group of people for the most part, but I could totally see how one strong-willed individual could also steer a verdict one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteYes, but I was quickly weeded out. I think it might have been the question on what news sources I read. Pretty much everything.
ReplyDeleteYes when I lived in LA. It was judge ito's court and a murder case. The prosecutor excused me when u said if I was attacked I would defend myself until someone stopped moving and it wasn't going to be me. It was a skid row murder and involved drugs and a homeless man and woman. The whole process was interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteI've been called for jury duty many times, but never was chosen to sit on a jury. I did get tapped for the county grand jury a few years ago. That was a neat experience.
ReplyDeleteSince the burden of proof for a grand jury is only preponderance, they're way less selective in letting people on board. There was one guy who actually told the Judge that he didn't like or trust cops. The judge replied "So, you'll be tougher on cops than other witnesses?" When they guy affirmed the judge said, "Good, we can use you."
The first thing I noticed about the grand jury was that it represented an accurate cross-section of the county's demographics. That was pretty interesting.
We had some interesting cases, one of which was pretty big news around here.
The main downside is that in this county when you're on the grand jury, you're on the hook for one calendar month. You get some days off here and there and leave early occasionally so you can go to work some times, but it's still pretty tough.
Best thing about it was definitely all the reading time I had. I think I went through seven books that month.
Overall, I'd have to say it was an enjoyable experience.
In New York City they have a monthly newspaper called the "Jury Pool News" which is actually pretty entertaining. And you also see instructional videos with NYC stars in it, telling you how important Jury Duty is. Sarah Jessica Parker was in mine.
ReplyDeleteAt the actual Jury Duty it's a typical NYC freakshow. Plenty or normal people but then there was also the guy sitting near me talking to a mango in his briefcase.
I had to do 3 days of Duty, didn't actually get called into a trial or anything but just sat and waited. I actually ran into an old friend from college which was fun, we toured all the sites of downtown NYC on our breaks. I was working in midtown at the time so it was all new for me down there.
Yup, death penalty case. They put me on the stand, which is how they do it in my state, I told the judge that the instructions were bunk and told them why, and I was dismissed for cause.
ReplyDeleteBut then, I represented someone for his last few years who got executed, I was at the execution, and most of the prosecutors and defense lawyers knew that, or knew me personally.
However the case I was called for ended, whether a plea or verdict, the defendants got life.
Years ago I did grand jury duty in New York City. Monday through Friday, half a day, for a month. Mostly it wasn't that interesting. Purse snatchings, drunken brawls, etc. Not even a good bank stick-up for gish sake! DA comes in, reads the charges, presents some kind of evidence and the jury indicts.
ReplyDeleteThe one case that provided some amusement was that several guys were arrested for holding up a Korean brothel. They had several of the employees of the house come in and testify, and they were all dressed veeeeeeeery conservatively in gray suits and such. Several of us couldn't help but laugh, imagining how they dressed where they were, uh, on the clock.
The first time I got called for Jury duty, I was surprised at how many people showed up - but I soon learned why. Seems there was a big criminal case that was going to be tried - a drive by shooting by boat that happened around Long Beach on Long Island. Just looking at the defendants and the attorney's - it was definitely mob related. I got out of it because i told the judge I didn't really trust cops due to things that happened with my brother.
ReplyDeleteThe next day I got picked for a jury concerning a wall that fell on some pedestrian. It settled the day the trial was to start.
Laurel-are you from Nassau County? :) I grew up in East Meadow. Fam is still there.
ReplyDeleteMerrick! I went to HS at JFK Bellmore.
DeleteLaurel-are you from Nassau County? :) I grew up in East Meadow. Fam is still there.
ReplyDeleteI get called for jury duty once a year. Every year. I have to go in 3 weeks. Again.
ReplyDeleteI have been to the courthouse a few dozen times now. Never actually been called for actual jury duty. I was alternate once on a civil case that lasted 1 hour.
The very first time I was called, it was for a murder trial. During Voir dire, I was excused. It turned out I knew almost everyone involved. The victim was the ex-boyfriend of my(at that time)girlfriend. The shooter was the older brother of a co-worker. And I knew most of the witnesses.
Mostly, I just go and sit in the large jury waiting room. They have wi-fi. Last time, I ended up knowing about 1/2 dozen of my fellow jurors(out of the 200+ called that day). We just sat around watching movies on my laptop.
Twice. The first time I was a housewife in Kansas and got called on a case where a dumbass woman decided to walk downtown because she was low on checks during an ice storm, slipped and fell in front of the bank, and sued them. She blamed her divorce, loss of custody of her children, the wreckage of her whole life, on that broken ankle. None of us on the jury liked her and it was five grueling days of testimony about sidewalk angles in an overheated courtroom, zzzzz...
ReplyDeleteSecond time was more interesting. By now I was divorced and working for lawyers, who carefully instructed me on all the things to say during the voir dire to get dropped. But I was picked, after four days of sitting in a dirty holding room with nothing to do and no food other than vending machines, for a trial of a man accused of armed robbery. In spite of (truthfully) telling them I had relatives who were in law enforcement, in spite of the fact that I worked for lawyers, and was white and middle aged while the defendant was young and black, they kept me. Trial was interesting, and while we all agreed that the guy was probably guilty and would most likely rob us as we walked back to our cars, we let him go because the state didn't prove the case. Then the judge told us about his prior convictions. :P
I agree it's our duty to serve. If I were ever being tried, I wouldn't want the jury to consist of a bunch of bums, so I think we should all serve when called. But in 20 years in Florida, I've never been called once.
Never! But I liked reading other people's stories.
ReplyDeleteOh, almost forgot. The lawyers I was working for were so furious that I didn't get myself dismissed, they made me make up the time I was off work by working overtime. It took a long time to make up five days by staying til 6 every night.
ReplyDeleteMy mother did it several YRS ago but I've never been called and I'm glad! I don't want to do it and I have no time since I'm a stay at home mom who homeschools, so I'd just have to make some outrageous bias comment or something if so to have myself excused.
ReplyDeleteI've been called repeatedly but only screened for a jury once, at which point I was dismissed for being married to a cop. Truthfully I wouldn't want to be on a jury, because I have trouble listening when people talk and I think I'd be mentally checked out the whole time, and that would be horribly irresponsible.
ReplyDeleteI went to Clarke in Westbury (East Meadow district)! Not sure how old you are but I graduated from HS in 1993. I went to Merrick Woods for camp from age 4-13. :) I live in Los Angeles now, but I go back at least once a year to see my parents.
ReplyDeleteNovember 2011 I sat on a murder trial. It was exhausting. The defendant was in his 70's and was accused of killing his mother-in-law, who was in her 80's. At first I thought he did it, but after hearing the evidence, I was convinced of his innocence. I remember there was one asshole on the jury who pored over the photos over and over; I finally realized he was looking for something the detectives had missed. *eye roll* Finally we got the judge's instructions that we had to come to a decision that night (it was a Friday) and we couldn't, so we were finally told we could go home at 1am in the morning with a hung jury. I cried all the way home because the poor man had to go through another trial. I later bumped into one of the back up jurors in the mall (she had been waiting in the courtroom to hear the verdict) and she said that if we'd told the judge that we wanted to come back to continue he would have let us, but he'd given us the impression that we had to come to a verdict that night.
ReplyDeleteI was originally a back up juror (that's not the term but I can't for the life of me think of it) but I got to be on the jury because a girl on the jury kept talking and talking about the case, even though we kept telling her to SHUT UP! Finally when she spoke about it TO THE DEPUTY ESCORTING US she was kicked off.
Similarly to @Syko, I was on a jury for a slip-n-fall. The woman claimed she slipped on crumbling stairs in a poorly lit stairwell at her apartment building. However, she didn't seek treatment and just went to her regular chiropractor appt. the next day. Between then and the time she sued she had two car accidents. But - her suit claimed that everything (bone spurs, back surgery, loss of congugal relations with her girlfriend, yada yada) ALL stemmed from the fall. It was a split decision (civil case) but ... yeah, she got nada.
ReplyDeleteThe other was an assault case involving a landlord and a tenant. Honestly, they were both annoying enough to make Mother Teresa spit nails. The landlord was changing the locks on the tenant before she was out of the place. The tenant came back and caught him and they began to fight. She picked up the box with the lock in it and threw it at the landlord, missed, and hit his wife in the head. The tenant was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. She claimed self-defense. We had a juror who was legitimately developmentally disabled so eventually we had to break it down for him to, "was she mad when she threw the lock or was she scared?" Everyone agreed she was mad (aka/assault) but to a lesser degree (tho' some wanted the lock classified as a "deadly weapon." Really?)
All in all, I found jury duty to be frustrating, but worthwhile. But based upon my experience, I hope I never have to rely on a jury of my peers to decide my fate.
Similarly to @Syko, I was on a jury for a slip-n-fall. The woman claimed she slipped on crumbling stairs in a poorly lit stairwell at her apartment building. However, she didn't seek treatment and just went to her regular chiropractor appt. the next day. Between then and the time she sued she had two car accidents. But - her suit claimed that everything (bone spurs, back surgery, loss of congugal relations with her girlfriend, yada yada) ALL stemmed from the fall. It was a split decision (civil case) but ... yeah, she got nada.
ReplyDeleteThe other was an assault case involving a landlord and a tenant. Honestly, they were both annoying enough to make Mother Teresa spit nails. The landlord was changing the locks on the tenant before she was out of the place. The tenant came back and caught him and they began to fight. She picked up the box with the lock in it and threw it at the landlord, missed, and hit his wife in the head. The tenant was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. She claimed self-defense. We had a juror who was legitimately developmentally disabled so eventually we had to break it down for him to, "was she mad when she threw the lock or was she scared?" Everyone agreed she was mad (aka/assault) but to a lesser degree (tho' some wanted the lock classified as a "deadly weapon." Really?)
All in all, I found jury duty to be frustrating, but worthwhile. But based upon my experience, I hope I never have to rely on a jury of my peers to decide my fate.
every few years like clockwork; finally picked and served this past fall on a four-week criminal trial. At least the restaurants downtown are excellent.
ReplyDeleteOh, in when I was called for the fed case in TX if you did not show up, they called you can gave you 15minutes to show to the courthouse. If you weren't there they sent a posse of sheriffs out to pick you up. No joke. It was a little scary and I'm glad I was on time.
ReplyDeleteYes. Nothing more akward than discussing the details of a sexual assault case with strangers. Overall, it was an interesting experience. I feel good about the decision we made.
ReplyDeleteI was called up last year and the case was not nice. I've either forgotten or blocked it out of my head. Bleh.
ReplyDeleteI get called for jury duty every 2 years on the nose. I will tell you about jury duty when I lived in Mississippi. First they send you a a questionnaire of about 200 questions a few weeks before you appear. When the day arrived, they started off with about 300 people. They narrowed it down to about 100. You go into the court room 12 at a time so they can ask you all questions as a group. You know the usual...do you believe in the death penalty? Are you familiar with the case? After that, we were all instructed to go pack a bag with about a weeks worth of clothes. When we all got back, were sent to some sort of large room with many tables. I suppose the lawyers were deciding who would be picked. All behind clothes doors. Finally, they call you all to the court room to announce who the jurors will be. I was laughing with some others there that it would be funny if we got called down like we were on the Price is Right. When it was finally over, it was 11.5 hours later. I had only had a quick lunch. There is nothing there to eat and you can't leave the courthouse. The only fun and amusing thing about it all was listing to the excuses told to the judge on why they couldn't serve. Priceless! BTW, I didn't get picked.
ReplyDeleteI was foreperson last year on a manslaughter trial that resulted in a hung jury. Don't want to reveal anything because of retrial, but I found out later (from a friend in law enforcement) about all the horrible things the defense managed to keep from us. I'd serve again, though...
ReplyDeleteCalled 3x's served once. A drunk driving case. The guy was guilty as sin and weaving all over the road. Some bleeding hearts wanted him forgiven on his 2nd offense since turning 21yrs old (He was 22) and He got a hung jury.
ReplyDeleteI told the 4 people who wanted to let him go, I hope he wasn't going to meet one of their family members coming the other way.
OMG, I am so jealous of all the stories! And I'm thrilled that the vast majority here want to serve.
ReplyDeleteI have been an active, registered voter since 18 (23 years), and I was only called once. It was for probation violation/handgun possession. My attorney friend at the time said i probably was dismissed because I have been the victim of maybe 5 crimes, and had to list them on the questionaire--just property crimes and indecent exposures---but I guess former crime victims are more likely to convict, so defense attorneys purge them? Anyway, I am free-thinking, not stupid, and i would not be afraid to hang a jury alone if i had to. that defense attorney was du-uumb to purge me, if he was the one.
While we were being questioned, we heard the gist of the case and 'evidence', which sounded really puffed-up and sketchy to me immediately. I was FULLY READY to give that Defendant a very fair trial. Like I said: du-uumb to dismiss me.
Every time I'm called for jury duty, I happen to be moving out of state. It's uncanny and I suspect they will accuse me of setting it up.
ReplyDeleteHas happened on three separate occasions. True Story.
Only been called for jury duty once. Being its a small county I am surprised that its only been once. One guy was actually trying to be made foreman before the jury was even picked. He thought he knew more then all of us because he had been a small town policeman for 2 years, some time before. I knew the judge as he was my daughters 4H leader. He didn't realize it at the time. I told the att's that I would have a problem judging someone. They let me go after only 10 minutes. Was totally outraged by the guy trying to be foreman. I have only been called once in 34 years.
ReplyDeleteI served on a weapons & theft case. We also had a CSI-type in our group who was ridiculous. Other than that it was a really good experience and I'd do it again but now I work at a maximum security prison so I imagine that would probably get me dismissed from most cases
ReplyDeleteI haven't, but my mum has. Apparently it was the trial of a guy accused of being a pimp, but they found him not guilty because of lack of evidence. The judge disallowed the diary of one of his "girls" on the grounds that diaries can be fantasy. Also, he didn't seem to be very successful if he was a pimp, because his stuff kept getting taken by debt collectors or repossessed by hire purchase companies.
ReplyDeleteMy mum says they all thought he was guilty of something, they just couldn't prove hew was a pimp.
I received a subpoena telling me I had to appear for jury duty on a certain date. The day before, I get a call from a sheriff, telling me the case plead out. He gave me a new date. Same thing happens again -- day before, he calls to tell me it was settled and gave me a new date. This happened three or four times. He then tells me that I'm off the hook - I kept saying "are you sure? They're not going to arrest me for not showing up?" He said the subpoena was only good for a month, and not to worry.
ReplyDeleteI was so relieved, because a few days before I received the subpoena, there had a been a huge mob bust. I was actually having nightmares about serving on a mob jury (can you tell I watch too much TV, lol?).
I hafta go up in June for jury duty....I'm planning on reinacting the movie 12 Angry Men all by myself.....
ReplyDeleteI got called once before in Philadelphia, the courthouse there was featured in 12 monkeys ( I have a 12 theme going here)
Anyway the building was cool, but they didn't choose me or anyone else who had a college degree.....so this time I'm gonna tell them I am a cashier at Speedway.
One rape case and one mob trial. God bless the City of New York. Nothing like a good criminal case to make you realize how insulated your life is.
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ReplyDeleteI've been called 3 times - 2 times I had excuses (school & a pre-booked vacation) and the third time I wasn't picked. It was all in the same year too.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you familiar with the Robert Pickton case in Vancouver, my husband's best friend was called for that. He was excused because the trial would have caused financial hardship since it went on for so long. (As an aside, my forensics professor was the head person in charge of recovery at the scene and a friend's Dad was the head detective in charge of the scene or something - both were used to grizzly scenes and they both were very impacted. My professor was crazy talented at her job too - think Temperance on Bones).
Meg - have they found all the bodies on his farm? I know that they were still combing it over a year or so ago...
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised I've never been picked since I live in Wayne County now (Detroit), but they said on the news that they are going to start fining people that don't show up because it's not getting a good cross section of the population (mostly black criminals, juries are mostly white suburbanites). I worked in law enforcement and did loss prevention for 7 years.
Yes, just served for the very first time for 5 weeks in December. I pulled a Federal case where a police sgt. in my city shot and killed an unarmed man during a confrontation. The family was suing the Chief of Police, the City, and the police department in a civil suit - it was Federal due to charges of civil rights violation.
ReplyDeleteDeliberation was rough. We found only the officer liable for excessive force (emptied his clip and did a combat reload and continued to fire), but all other counts were deadlocked and/or not liable.
After the case, we jurors were called to meet with the Chief of Police, city attorney, and a few others. We found out that the "victim" - and I use that term loosely - was high on PCP, a Bulldog gang member, had just been released from prison where he was in for murder, and while incarcerated beat another inmate to death.
The day before he was shot and killed by the cop, he'd been pulled over and indeed had a weapon at that time, which he threatened the arresting officers with (he was arrested but due to jail overcrowding, he was released within hours).
None of this was admissible at the time of the trial, but would have been brought out had we moved into the award phase (it was settled during Xmas recess).
There were several Bulldog gang members in the gallery, and they would bark at us jurors, make ear-to-ear slashing movements at the cops in the courtroom, and were pretty intimidating.
All in all, a fascinating time, and I'm happy I could serve. Never really realized how stressful it could be, tho'.
Just wanted to add, I made a couple of lifelong friends while serving on the above-mentioned jury duty. That was great ~ And Federal paid $40/day + mileage. And the judge bought us donuts every morning, and during deliberations, they picked up the tab for lunch every day. Not a bad gig.
ReplyDeleteAnd, on the deadlocked counts ... Ugh. We had one woman who wanted any reason to hang the City, the Police Chief, the PD, etc. She kept referring to prior cases of officer-involved shootings. We other jurors kept trying to get across to her that we were only deliberating THIS CASE and not trying other OI shootings in the history of the city. She just didn't get it, and started crying and carrying on. When we were in the jury box and the polled each of us, she was wailing. It was ridiculous. And she was so furious with the rest of us for not hanging "the establishment".
I've gotten called 4 times, with the first time being just after I turned 18 (the first possible point they could call me). On that one, I was selected for the jury without any questioning...I always wonder what made both sides want me no questions asked! But it ended up being a First Degree murder trial...had to be an all or none conviction, and we convicted him for life without parole, which, in Michigan is the max punishment as there is no death penalty. I was going to school for Criminal Justice at the time and that experience made me immediately change my major.
ReplyDelete@Amy in MI - Last I heard, they had recovered as much as they thought they could (as he fed the bodies to the pigs on his farm and otherwise sold the human flesh mixed in with the ground pork he sold from his farm).
ReplyDeleteAs he's already in prison for life without parole, they're not going to recover any more as they doubt they could get any identification from any remain fragments. I don't think they're even going to prosecute him for the last round of murders that they have evidence for since it's not going to change anything as he's in for life with no parole. (Though it probably would bring closure to the families, but would also dredge it all up for them). He seriously was one sick bastard - horrible horrible man. There's a special place in hell.
The crazy thing is I moved into the 'burbs a couple of months ago and where everyone shops (huge shopping centre with a Walmart Supercentre, Costco, etc) was originally part of the farm before he started having to sell parts of it off (before the murders). I doubt most people realize that when they're picking up groceries, they're on the land that was once his.
Yes, just once about 5 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI was SO excited to be called (I got to miss work! And free lunch!). Much of the day was spent in a room with the other potential jurors. It was pre-smartphones, so I think I played Tetris on my phone and read books for...like 4 hours. That part was horrible.
I was selected as a juror and luckily, the case was fairly interesting. It was a homeowner vs. a GC who was claiming bad/incomplete work. It went fairly quickly and I remember being enthralled with the whole process.
I also remember feeling REALLY awkward leaving the courtroom b/c I had to end up walking by the people I'd just sided against in the case. I know there are security checks at the entrance, but I kept thinking "I need to get the hell out of here in case one of them is crazy and they shoot me."
I can't wait to read all these stories when I have more time!
I sat on a jury where a man was charged with randomly assaulting two drag queens who were simply walking down the street. They testified (which was so Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), two other witnesses testified and there was solid evidence against the defendant and STILL my fellow jurors did not want to convict. Their reasons? "They didn't like those weird men in dresses." "Those men were asking for it and they should put on pants." I refused to leave until he was found guilty and I guess they cared more about getting out of there than their "convictions that it's okay to try to kill someone you don't like the looks of", so they changed their votes. I would have sat there forever voting guilty.
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