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Anyone been on a jury recently? by D.A.L.U.I. on 09 Nov, 2010 07:01
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I got called for jury duty
. My previous experience had been when they heard the word--lawyer--I was automatically out of there. I went to the voir dire on the first day expecting the same thing, explained I was a lawyer, my company was involved in insurance claims, business interruption claims, yada, yada. I thought I was going to walk yet again, as did everyone around me. But, surprise , I was selected for the jury, first time ever, an automobile accident insurance claim. What were the lawyers thinking 
?
After the first day, it's sort of fun seeing the process from the "other side of the table!" I'm in the same court that I clerked in after law school. so I've sat in these rooms many times as a law clerk working with the judge. My co-jurors know my background. And there are some other surprising choices on the panel, particularly a medical doctor--much of the testimony will involve conflicting medical testimony. I guess it's my chance to write an update on the play and movie, Twelve Angry Men
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Anyone else had experience with civil or criminal jury service? Even grand jury involvement? -
#1 by TheSlyBear on 09 Nov, 2010 07:48
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Two years back I was on a jury for a case with multiple charges including aggravated assault. Saw pictures of beat-up girls that I'll never be able to unsee. We sent dude to the slammer for 20+ years.
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#2 by D.A.L.U.I. on 09 Nov, 2010 13:25
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Well after the plaintiff's testimony and cross, they settled. Very interesting experience talking w/ the other jury members and getting a sense what a jury wants to see or needs to see to hold their attention and "advocate" for the client. Glad I did it, but may get to do it again because of the small number of potential jurors, I could be called again if any more jury trials are set this week or next.
Funny SBG thing on the way out. The father of the defendant, who had rear ended the plaintiff's car, was sly. I'd noticed him when I got there and as he testified. After the jury was dismissed because of the settlement, we're walking out of the courtroom and he tells me, "Nice haircut!" Told him I liked his too and that I'd bet he really had a great barber!
For those lurkers out there, two days in court and several sly attorneys and either witnesses or parties to litigation in the courthouse. Sly is totally mainstream at least here. -
#3 by Magoo on 09 Nov, 2010 21:13
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Been on 2 criminal and 1 civil case. I'm a big fan of COURT TV, and find the challenge of getting to the truth interesting.Well maybe not always the truth, but the system is still the best that we have.
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#4 by Razor X on 09 Nov, 2010 22:03
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Been on 2 criminal and 1 civil case. I'm a big fan of COURT TV, and find the challenge of getting to the truth interesting.Well maybe not always the truth, but the system is still the best that we have.
Does Court TV still exist?
I got on a jury once about 17 years ago but on the first day of the trial, a mistrial was declared before it even got started. I've been called for jury duty a few time since then, most recently last year, but I didn't get picked. -
#5 by D.A.L.U.I. on 10 Nov, 2010 08:30
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I would think that the experience of a criminal jury member could be traumatic considering the probability that you wouldn't have been exposed to the frank, raw gore of criminal violence. Ive never been called for jury duty to the criminal courts--here in NO our courts are divided between civil and criminal matters. My wife's been called for criminal and it's not fun because for some cases you can sit on one case in the morning and another in the afternoon or worse yet, get sequestered for the duration of the trial. They also never release you until every last day has passed, whereas in civil court many are bench trials without a jury and consequently you can be notified that there aren't any jury trials and you're free--last time I was called that happened the second day and for two days attendance, I satisfied my two week obligation because no jury trials were scheduled! At least after next week I'm free for two years from state court jury calls. I could be called for the federal court, but I've never been called so far. My wife has and she likes federal, civil and criminal, because they really treat the prospective jurors well, good food, very comfortable jury lounge and they pay for everything, parking and travel.
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#6 by TheSlyBear on 10 Nov, 2010 10:30
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I would think that the experience of a criminal jury member could be traumatic considering the probability that you wouldn't have been exposed to the frank, raw gore of criminal violence.
I was also a jury member on criminal rape case about 20 years ago, and I can tell you that, yeah, it's never fun.
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#7 by Nonick on 10 Nov, 2010 22:18
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I've never had the honor of making it on to a jury. One time I was questioned for being on a military jury, but I guess I seemed too "open minded" (would consider options) and the attorney opted me out.
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#8 by Dome of Steele on 11 Nov, 2010 00:37
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I've never been called. I was told that lawyers wouldn't be called up for state court, but could be for fed. I have a few things to say if I get called that should get me kicked off. My boss (me) wouldn't let me take any time off, even for such an important civil duty. The duty of paying the bills pulls greater weight with him.
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#9 by D.A.L.U.I. on 11 Nov, 2010 06:46
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I've never been called. I was told that lawyers wouldn't be called up for state court, but could be for fed. I have a few things to say if I get called that should get me kicked off. My boss (me) wouldn't let me take any time off, even for such an important civil duty. The duty of paying the bills pulls greater weight with him.
In LA even judges can get called! Whether you serve or not is another question. I know a couple of other lawyers with a civil practice that had the criminal jury duty and even served on a jury! During the voir dire, one guy got off--he fell asleep. He said he worked 6p to 8a as a tow truck driver. When asked if he could stay awake for the trial he said, "No!" They dismissed him, no strict lecture or anything, just let the guy go. Another was dismissed because he said he couldn't give equal weight to medical testimony read from a deposition rather than delivered in person by the doctor, "If I can be here, so can he!"