You done it now
Judged by Twelve: You Don't Want a Trial by Jury
- Thread starter pinkbunny
- Start date
- Replies 42
- Views 963
You done it now
I got a summons once.
I showed up in work boots, greasy carharts, and a Lynyrd Skynyrd t-shirt.
I was sent home that day and havent gotten another summons in fifteen years.
I showed up in work boots, greasy carharts, and a Lynyrd Skynyrd t-shirt.
I was sent home that day and havent gotten another summons in fifteen years.
You have a VERY EASY way to get out of jury duty. Ask the judge, or the two lawyers (prosecuting and defense) if they have a problem with you affirming the right of "JURY NULLIFICATION." https://constitution.org/1-Constitution/2ll/2ndschol/131jur.pdf
You do not legally have to return a guilty verdict, even if you believe unequivocally that the defendant broke the law. When the judge asks you if you would have any problem finding a defendant guilty if he has clearly broken the law, you should graciously and respectfully state that there are certain laws that you consider unjust (gun laws? drug laws? I have a list) and that you might not be able in good conscience to vote to convict no matter what the law says.
JUDGES IN PARTICULAR HATE THIS, and will bounce you out of a potential jury so fast it will make your head spin. Now, to be honest, I did hear of one case where the judge was pissed at the snotty attitude of the potential juror, and had him retained as a alternate juror the whole trial just because he wanted to make him "pay" for his attitude. However, just getting atrial is a huge logistical, manpower and financial endeavor, and no officers of the court are going to want to risk having you cause a hung jury/mistrial/acquittal for an extralegal reason.
You do not legally have to return a guilty verdict, even if you believe unequivocally that the defendant broke the law. When the judge asks you if you would have any problem finding a defendant guilty if he has clearly broken the law, you should graciously and respectfully state that there are certain laws that you consider unjust (gun laws? drug laws? I have a list) and that you might not be able in good conscience to vote to convict no matter what the law says.
JUDGES IN PARTICULAR HATE THIS, and will bounce you out of a potential jury so fast it will make your head spin. Now, to be honest, I did hear of one case where the judge was pissed at the snotty attitude of the potential juror, and had him retained as a alternate juror the whole trial just because he wanted to make him "pay" for his attitude. However, just getting atrial is a huge logistical, manpower and financial endeavor, and no officers of the court are going to want to risk having you cause a hung jury/mistrial/acquittal for an extralegal reason.