Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New profile posts
Latest activity
Internet Search
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
General Discussions
The Watercooler
Yaaay! No more jury duty for 3 yrs ... food for thought
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="skeeter" data-source="post: 484196" data-attributes="member: 439"><p>I always say when people ask the "how could that happen" question about a court case, to spend some time in court. My husband spends 3 - 4 mornings a week in court as part of Court Watch, a group of people that follow those that live in our area and are accused of committing a crime, or follow those that commit crimes in our area. husband and his fellow court watch guy are known by all the judges, all the bailiffs, all the prosecuting attorneys and a good many of the defense attorneys. They are often asked by the judges - especially when sentencing is happening, and especially when sentencing is community control, what they as a community want to see. They also advocate for those in our community that may commit crimes, but are mentally handicapped and really need services other than jail (not that there are a lot to choose from).</p><p>Anyway, husband got called to jury duty. When his number came up, he knew the judge, the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney quite well. He didn't know the defendant - wasn't someone from our area and the crime wasn't committed in our neighborhood. He (and the bailiff) thought sure he would be excused, but the defense attorney questioned him with "Mr. S - please explain to the court how you know me". He explained Court Watch and what he does. The defense attorney asked if he knew the judge (he said yes), if he knew the prosecuting attorney (he said yes). Then the defense attorney asked if he felt he could give the client a fair trial, and husband said yes. They let him on the jury (and they found the guy guilty).</p><p>Afterwards, husband asked why the defense attorney didn't dismiss him knowing his background. The attorney stated that knowing husband, and knowing what husband knows of court, he felt if anyone would give his client a fair chance, it would be husband. He knew that husband wouldn't allow others to go with a "gut" feeling but would point out they must judge the case on what was presented in the courtroom. He said he felt that with husband on the jury, his client would either be found guilty or it would be a hung jury if someone didn't listen to husband.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="skeeter, post: 484196, member: 439"] I always say when people ask the "how could that happen" question about a court case, to spend some time in court. My husband spends 3 - 4 mornings a week in court as part of Court Watch, a group of people that follow those that live in our area and are accused of committing a crime, or follow those that commit crimes in our area. husband and his fellow court watch guy are known by all the judges, all the bailiffs, all the prosecuting attorneys and a good many of the defense attorneys. They are often asked by the judges - especially when sentencing is happening, and especially when sentencing is community control, what they as a community want to see. They also advocate for those in our community that may commit crimes, but are mentally handicapped and really need services other than jail (not that there are a lot to choose from). Anyway, husband got called to jury duty. When his number came up, he knew the judge, the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney quite well. He didn't know the defendant - wasn't someone from our area and the crime wasn't committed in our neighborhood. He (and the bailiff) thought sure he would be excused, but the defense attorney questioned him with "Mr. S - please explain to the court how you know me". He explained Court Watch and what he does. The defense attorney asked if he knew the judge (he said yes), if he knew the prosecuting attorney (he said yes). Then the defense attorney asked if he felt he could give the client a fair trial, and husband said yes. They let him on the jury (and they found the guy guilty). Afterwards, husband asked why the defense attorney didn't dismiss him knowing his background. The attorney stated that knowing husband, and knowing what husband knows of court, he felt if anyone would give his client a fair chance, it would be husband. He knew that husband wouldn't allow others to go with a "gut" feeling but would point out they must judge the case on what was presented in the courtroom. He said he felt that with husband on the jury, his client would either be found guilty or it would be a hung jury if someone didn't listen to husband. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
General Discussions
The Watercooler
Yaaay! No more jury duty for 3 yrs ... food for thought
Top