Down for Jury Duty this week. I am liking the "process".
It amazes me the lengths people will go to to avoid jury duty. So here is a way to look at it.
YOUR family member is arrested for "insert infraction here". You obtain a lawyer, get set for trial only to find out that the pool of prospective jurors are not the sharpest tools in the shed. Why, because they were the only ones who had nothing better to do than sow up for jury duty. The only ones who couldn't come up with a better story, excuse, hardship than the person next to them.
Folks, this process only works when we all participate. Kind of like voting. You don't have the right to bitch about the politicians and laws that voters pass/elect if you can't take the time out of your day to find out about the people and issues that are up for the ballot.
Same thing for the judicial system. It doesn't help the speed of the trial systems when they have to keep going to the well for jurors.
While the case I'm on appears to be a waste of time (as of right now.. I'll fill you in after) the accused has the right to a trial by jury. Wouldn't you hate to be the person on that side of the table if it involved someone you knew?
Just my .02
D
I couldn't agree more. I've been a juror once (child molestation case) and was dismissed once on another case (murder)because my step dad worked at the public defender's office at the time.
ReplyDeleteI got called for jury duty but was never selected to actually sit on a jury. I was working part-time then and was happy to get the extra pay!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you-I was called once, and while they didn't end up needing me, I was happy to go. It can be a pain at times, but compared to what has been sacrificed to give us this right and considering the alternative-it's really a small price to pay(plus I found it interesting).
ReplyDeleteI've twice had the privilege of serving on a jury. I am happy to say that my fellow jurors were intelligent, fair minded people who really wanted to get it right. Confidence in the system was boosted. Unfortunately, most of those called to the box did their best to wriggle out of it. It seems that today many want freedom without the responsibilities that secure that freedom. It's shameful, really.
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