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Ditching Jury Duty

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Sep 15, 2005 12:43 am

Well, here I go again. I just received my "Jury Duty Summons" for October 24th. I thought I settled this last year when, upon receiving the summons, I declared myself self-employed and that it would represent a severe financial burden on my family to have to attend. (Not to mention the fact that if the market moves while I'm sequestered, what the hell are my clients supposed to do?)

Well, this time I'm going to declare that I'm self-employed..., again. And I'm also going to state that I believe in the right of "Jury Nullification" (JN). (JN) is a legal term that basically says that, in a criminal case, if the juror believes that the law (under which the defendant is charged with violating) is unconstitutional, then the juror can find the defendant not guilty.

When I brought up this term to an attorney, in public, he shushed me! Apparently, this is a term the legal profession does not want the public to be aware of. Defense attorneys are prohibited from mentioning this term in court, from what I gather. (By the way, I really do believe that the government should not regulate the behavior between 2 or more consenting adults.)

Anyone else have any suggestions for ditching jury duty? And please, spare me the "it's your patriotic duty to attend" argument. I'll be glad to attend when attorneys, doctors, teachers, nurses, etc. are also required to go.

Doberman- a registered, dues paying Libertarian Party member for 15 years. 

Sep 15, 2005 1:24 am

Just go there, sit down, and about ten minutes in stand up and scream that you are racist, homophobic, sexist, and full of every imaginable prejudice. You’ll be out of there within 15 minutes…

Sep 15, 2005 2:08 am

How about do your duty as a citizen you moron! I love your copout on the duty, I will do it when others are required to. Catch a clue, you live in a country where you apparently take your freedoms for granted and then when asked to do one simple thing, you want to beg off of it. I am certainly glad our forefathers didn’t have your attitude. You are certainly a fine example of a citizen…

Sep 15, 2005 5:41 am

[quote=doberman]

I'm also going to state that I believe in the right of "Jury Nullification" (JN). (JN) is a legal term that basically says that, in a criminal case, if the juror believes that the law (under which the defendant is charged with violating) is unconstitutional, then the juror can find the defendant not guilty.

When I brought up this term to an attorney, in public, he shushed me! Apparently, this is a term the legal profession does not want the public to be aware of. Defense attorneys are prohibited from mentioning this term in court, from what I gather. (By the way, I really do believe that the government should not regulate the behavior between 2 or more consenting adults.)

[/quote]

I have also heard that we don't have to pay taxes because the flag is a gold fringed maritime flag.

http://www.midcoast.com/~martucci/neva/fringe.html

I would do a little more research before I use the "Jury Nullification" excuse.

Sep 15, 2005 3:20 pm

Having been on the other side of the process (picking the jurors) it is a fascinating process. I was personally involved in a jury trial as the plaintiff side. The questions asked, how the jurors responded and even their body language was an issue. We were trying to read their minds to see if they might be for or against our case. It was like playing an advanced game of chess with each attorney trying to make the best moves to get the jury that would be favorable to our cause. 

The jurors, not knowing what the heck the case was about, were sometimes confused by the questions.  But I can tell you that neither side wants a visibly angry and reluctant juror who is going to be pissed off at the entire proces.  However, sometimes a juror with strong political leanings can be desired. We were about a property dispute so your libertarian leanings would have made you an ideal juror.

On the other hand you could just sit here and grossly pick your nose and make rude body noises.  That might get you off.

Sep 15, 2005 3:41 pm

[quote=noggin]How about do your duty as a citizen you moron! I love your copout on the duty, I will do it when others are required to. Catch a clue, you live in a country where you apparently take your freedoms for granted and then when asked to do one simple thing, you want to beg off of it. I am certainly glad our forefathers didn't have your attitude. You are certainly a fine example of a citizen......[/quote]

I knew we'd agree on something  

Sep 15, 2005 7:29 pm

[quote=doberman]

Any suggestions for ditching jury duty? And please, spare me the "it's your patriotic duty to attend" argument. I'll be glad to attend when attorneys, doctors, teachers, nurses, etc. are also required to go.

Doberman- a registered, dues paying Libertarian Party member for 15 years. 

[/quote]

Hmmmm...

I would hardly describe myself as a "patriot".  However, I was last called to jury duty a little less than ten years ago.  At the time I was going through law enforcement training and sent a letter to the clerk of courts explaining my situation and that I could not miss class or I would not graduate from the rookie school.  The clerk kindly sent me a response excusing me from jury duty.  I promptly got called again about 3 months later, after I had finished my training.  I sent a letter explaining that I felt my duty was to "protect and serve" out on the streets and that I would be in the court room for my cases.  The clerk of court disagreed.  They scheduled my jury duty in the middle of my "long week" (five 12 hour shifts in one week).

Long story, short.  I went.  Served.  Was selected as part of a jury for a civil trial.  During questioning from the plantiff's attorney my occupation was revealed.  As such, the other members of the jury selected me as foreman.

Only in America...right Mr. Butler?

Sep 16, 2005 12:07 am

noggin: How about do your duty as a citizen you moron! I love your copout on the duty, I will do it when others are required to. Catch a clue, you live in a country where you apparently take your freedoms for granted and then when asked to do one simple thing, you want to beg off of it. I am certainly glad our forefathers didn't have your attitude. You are certainly a fine example of a citizen......

---------------------------------------

I am a fine example of a citizen.

If jury duty is so important, why isn't everyone required (oops, asked) to serve?

I take my freedoms for granted? If I don't show-up for jury duty, people with guns will come looking for me. That's freedom? They are not (as you have stated) asking me to serve, they are requiring me to serve at gunpoint.

I don't recall our forefathers forcing people, at gunpoint, to serve as jurors.

As for the concept of "jury nullification", there isn't a damn thing they can do about it. If a person has been charged with violating a law I believe to be unconstitutional, I will find him/her innocent. Neither the judge or police can force a juror to arrive at a particular verdict.

As long as your behavior and/or activity doesn't hurt anyone else, have at it. That, my friend, (in a nutshell) is freedom.

Sep 16, 2005 12:11 am

blarmston: Just go there, sit down, and about ten minutes in stand up and scream that you are racist, homophobic, sexist, and full of every imaginable prejudice. You'll be out of there within 15 minutes....

---------------------------------

Maybe I should wear my Green Beret t-shirt that states:

Kill'em all, let God sort'em out. 

Sep 16, 2005 1:10 am

Doberman- That has got to be the weakest argument I have ever heard… My 22 month old daughter makes more sense… By the way, I have recieved a jury summons and unlike Mr FINE citizen will actually want to serve. The country I belong to actually had people who ACTUALLY endured financial burdens so that this country would be a better place for their fellow citizens. You CAN’T even sit in a courtroom for a week… I hope that you don’t reproduce…

Sep 16, 2005 1:59 am

Say you are a big Rush Limbaugh fan… He says this works.

Sep 16, 2005 11:39 pm

noggin:That has got to be the weakest argument I have ever heard..... My 22 month old daughter makes more sense...

Doberman: I would suggest that you look-up the definition of freedom, then tell me where in the term "summons for jury duty" I have the freedom to opt out.

Noggin: By the way, I have recieved a jury summons and unlike Mr FINE citizen will actually want to serve.

Doberman: Good for you. I hope the market and/or your clients' investments don't take an unexpected tumble while you're sitting for a divorce case because the husband couldn't keep it in his pants.

noggin: The country I belong to actually had people who ACTUALLY endured financial burdens so that this country would be a better place for their fellow citizens. You CAN'T even sit in a courtroom for a week...... I hope that you don't reproduce....

Doberman: A week of sitting for a jury would cost me at least $10,000, plus opportunity costs. That's not a financial commitment? And who says it would only be for a week? What if I end up on a jury hearing about some rich, white guy (Example: Michael Jackson ) who is charged with molesting boys? That could take months!  

Before lecturing me on freedom, be sure to check the definition first. 

Sep 16, 2005 11:44 pm

executivejock: Say you are a big Rush Limbaugh fan.. He says this works.

-----------------------------------------------

Hey, I like that!  But I prefer Glenn Beck, who broadcasts out of Philadelphia. That guy is a hoot!!

Sep 17, 2005 1:31 pm

Doberman,

Were you born in this country? It's abundantly clear you're clueless in addition to being painfully selfish and self absorbed. Please do me a favor and stay away from the southern states.

By the way...are you sure you're not a lawyer???  You know...what's brown and black and looks good on an attorney?  Answer: A doberman.  Noggin, you're right, what a moron.

Sep 17, 2005 3:10 pm

Doberman let me guess - you’re a member of the ACLU? You’re a moron. This is a registered rep. board don’t you have anything else to do other than bother people you don’t even know about jury duty.

Sep 17, 2005 6:51 pm

It’s your duty JERK…GO DO IT!

Sep 17, 2005 11:59 pm

Clearly, most everyone who previously posted, looked up "freedom" in the dictionary and are conceding that I'm right, since no one has taken issue with me on this point. Instead, they have chosen to question my patriotism in their own colorful, emotional, logic-lacking way.

My patriotism extends only to the point at which I am no longer free. If your patriotism extends beyond that, then you are in good company with the Nazi's, the Communists and our lastest edition of freedom haters - religious fanatics. And before someone else, who barely passed U.S. history, responds with a rant-filled post questioning my loyalties, please review your dusty history books. You'll find that our forefathers authorized the people to change any oppressive government.

Unless someone else presents facts to back their opinions, this will be my last post on this subject.

Sep 18, 2005 3:48 am

Ok, this has nothing to do with this topic but I can't stand it any more!!!!

Their = belongs to them   "It is their right to be obtuse"

There = over there, not here  "There is the biggest idiot of all."

They're= they are,  a contraction "They're not going to believe a word you say."

Your = belonging to you  "Your ass is on the line."

You're = another contraction = You are   "You're totally confused."

And while I'm at it---- site and sight and scene and seen are not the same things.   Sight is the ability to physically see something  Site is a place.  Web site = a place on the web, not a thing you see on the Web  There is a scene in the movie.  I have seen that scene in the movie.

Loose and lose are not the same. Loose is the opposite of tight. and Lose is what you get when you go to Las Vegas. 

God help us!  If you are going to be arguing about anything at least be literate.  You can't be credible if you are unable to write a coherent sentence.

Exceptions made for typos  --- and for typing tipsy.

Sep 18, 2005 2:08 pm

"Where public spirit prevails, liberty is secure."

                                           ---George Washington

Sep 18, 2005 3:01 pm

rrbdlawyer:

I know I shouldn't but this one is driving me nuts . . .

Doberman, you say folks should base their opinions on facts.  Fine, I'll take up that challenge because your facts are wrong.  You started this thread off complaining that lawyers don't get call for jury duty.

My friend, let me give you a newsflash.  I have been called twice in the last four years... 

----------------------------------------------------

I live in South Georgia. Attorneys don't get called for jury duty. Neither do teachers, nurses, doctors, or government workers.

I'm self-employed. I could suffer serious financial setbacks and/or lose my business, if I'm stuck on some bonehead case for any length of time. And I'm willing to bet that not one of you (who question my patriotism) would be willing to suffer the same. So, rant and rave all you want, I know the truth.