Man, this case that I'm currently a juror on is just dragging and dragging...I can't really elaborate on what case it is until it's over. All I can really say is that it's a civil case for a significant amount of money, and the thought that this amount of money is entirely in the hands of 12 people is pretty awesome.... Now, my question is... Anybody have an interesting jury duty stories?? Any interesting cases?? Has anybody sentenced anybody to a lenghty prison term (the death penalty?) or awarded a bunch of money?? ------------------ If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding!!
Lets see large amount of money...hmmmmm... ------------------ Whatever you want to do, you have to do something else first.
I spent a week on a capital murder case. Talk about de-sensitized. I saw the most gruesome autopsy photos for 5 days. The case ended in a hung jury because none of us could decide on the punishment. It's very difficult to get 12 people to decide on a decision. I don't wish the stuff I went through on anyone. Good luck rH ------------------ The Psychedelic Groove House of Rockets Basketball Love! Come and chat with us on game nights in CC.net chat!
Here's an oddity: Even though I have always been willing to serve on jury duty, I've never been called. I've been a registered voter since I was 18, which means I've gone 19 years without being summoned. Strange huh? ------------------ Behad Sergeant at Arms of the Clutch BBS
When it's a case like that is there anyway to get out of it (legaly)? ------------------ Cuttino Mobley Online
I've never been called for Jury Duty, either, despite being a registered voter most of the time (a person has to reregister when he moves, and I haven't always done that). My mother served on two juries in two different trials over a couple of days (she lives in a really small town in Arkansas, apparently they keep jurors for more than one trial where she lives). One case was a guy who had stolen something relatively small. They convicted him, but my Mom said she later regretted it because she later found out that because of his priors, the guy was sentenced to 25 years or something (apparently the jury doesn't get to decide punishment in Arkansas. Either that or I didn't understand the story the way Mom told it), and Mom didn't think the relatively minor theft (I don't remember what it was) called for such a long sentence. The other fellow had taken a shot at a cop after being pulled over for driving a stolen vehicle. Mom didn't feel sorry for that guy. ------------------ Houston Sports Board The Anti-Bud Adams Page
The only legal way to get out of jury duty is if you have a medical condition (with doc's note) or if there is a child or invalid who depend on you for their care. However, with murder cases, there is a slight loophole. Because Texas allows capital punishment (maybe "encourages" is a better word) people who serve on the jury have to be willing to consider that as a punishment option. If you state that, for moral or religious reasons, you are opposed to the death penalty in ALL cases they won't pick you to be on the jury. ------------------
I was not allowed to serve on one jury because I said I did not believe in awarding "pain and suffering" damages for a woman who had been injured in a fender bender. I said that I thought that paying her medical bills (including an allowance for future medical problems), auto repair costs and lost wages was enough. Not only was I excused (as was another man who felt as I did) but the judge chastised me for not agreeing with concept of pain and suffering damage. I was SO pissed. She talked to me like I was a 5-year-old saying that I should take more time to learn about the laws and understand them. I couldn't believe it!!! All I told her was that I disagreed with her on this and that I was unlikely to change my mind in a case like this. Now, I could see that type of award in extreme cases, wrongful death and a number of other situations. But, this woman was essentially asking for a jury to award her more than she lost despite the accident happening on a slow street near a stop light with neither vehicle going more than 20 MPH. When they asked, I just thought about what I would do. I would NEVER ask for more than I lost in a settlement like this, so I said I didn't agree. For that I was drilled by the judge. Go figure. ------------------ Me fail English? That's unpossible.
I'm sure there could be legal recourse for this. You could file a lawsuit for the pain you suffered while being chastised by the judge! hehe rH ------------------ The Psychedelic Groove House of Rockets Basketball Love! Come and chat with us on game nights in CC.net chat!
I'm also pretty sure that you can be excused from jd if you are a full-time student (like me!!) or if you know the right people. ------------------ Be nice to the newbie!
