Kilts on Jury Duty...

[David Thornton]

Graham, it's worse than they are telling you. If this offends, sorry, just reporting from personal experience.
I have been called a few times, been dismissed most times. Both sides have an agenda and try to load the jury with acceptable jurists. Sounds like it should be fair right, both sides question the potential jurists. But, who are the potential jurists? The first time I was called, I had paid for a trip to Argentina. Judge said dismissed, you are back on the call list. I was in fact called again very soon. Military duty, being a business owner, having a decent living wage and having an opinion kept me off most other cases. So when I finally served, the other 11 were either women with already grown children or the unemployed.
You will never have a representative jury under thew current system. When those with money or connections are dismissed, and those with convictionms are ineligable, it's just not possible.
Sorry, I'm ranting.
David

[MacMullen]

I've never been asked for jury duty, but reading this i can't help feeling sad that we have gotten to the point where Godfearing men are not considered desireable for such an important duty. (if I understand the post correctly).

sick world..

Yes, Graham, your understanding was correct. They weren't asking me, they were asking the panel, and no one raised their hand. In fact, that was the very last question before they swore the jury in. The Judge even asked the Prosecutor if he had any other questions and he said that, no, he was satisfied. From that, I'm sure that the Defense would have excluded me if I had been chosen and they had asked my occupation.

I never did hear how the trial turned out.

As far as the makeup of the jury, there were a few middle aged women, a couple of younger women, a couple of older retired guys, and a few of local businessmen or salesmen, so I thought it represented a pretty good cross section of our local population. I was surprised to see so many turn out for jury duty.

[flyv65]

I also would love to serve on a jury. I've only been called once and they picked the jury before they needed me. It was a statutory rape trial and the defense attorney asked the potential jurors, and I quote, "Does anyone here have a moral problem with underage drinking or with teenagers having sex?" (

I've only been called once, and they apparently settled before a jury for the two cases on the slate that day was seated; still, I'd happily go back if my name came up.

As for the question you faced MacMullen, I probably would have answered the same as the jury because the question as phrased is exceedingly broad. I find the "underage" drinking statutes to be rather arbitrary: if someone is old enough and mature enough to drive a vehicle, carry a weapon in battle for his or her country or vote, then they should be old enough to buy a beer at a ballgame. Likewise, the phrase "teenagers having sex" is simply too sweeping a statement. I'd have to answer "no" to the defense simply because I do not have a moral objection to every circumstance of teenage sex or underage drinking.

It of course goes without saying that, by relieving society of the duty to police the individual, the individual becomes *MUCH* more responsible for their actions. The defense attorny better hope his/her client acted in a responsible fashion, underage or not: because that is the standard to which I'll hold them.

Bryan...I'll probably never get called again, anyway...

[Iolaus]

..."Does anyone here have a moral problem with underage drinking or with teenagers having sex?" Not a single juror raised his or her hand. I wanted to stand up and raise my hand, but I chickened out....

I would say your conscience can rest easy. As I understand the Ministry, the mission is not to judge other's morals, but to help guide them toward better ones.

[MacMullen]

I seem to have a knack for throwing threads off topic, but I'm trying to change that.

I didn't want to start a debate here, but society does have established social morals, called laws. I was just surprised that no one on the panel of jurors had a moral problem with breaking the law.

Anyway, I don't want to get this thread moved to the Lockdown, so that's the last I'll say on that.

I do, on the other hand, encourage you to go kilted while doing your civic duty. :-D

[Big Paul]

Outstanding!!!

[flyv65]

I didn't want to start a debate here, but society does have established social morals, called laws. I was just surprised that no one on the panel of jurors had a moral problem with breaking the law.

Ahh, but breaking a law doesn't necessarily indicate that someone has violated a "social moral": many social mores are laws, but many laws do not reflect social mores. This has been true through the ages, eh?

Anyway, I don't want to get this thread moved to the Lockdown, so that's the last I'll say on that.

Really? I thought as long as we were civil with each other, and politely presented our positions on different subjects, the Mods would be somewhat forgiving of such discussions-perhaps moving a thread to a more accurate board. I've always enjoyed thoughtful debate-it keeps me from becoming entrenched in my thinking when I have to support my position, and re-evaluate it in light of possible additional information.

I do, on the other hand, encourage you to go kilted while doing your civic duty. :-D

A point we will all be able to agree on!

Bryan...in any case, no one should be surprised to find strongly held beliefs in any of our forum members. A toast to us, ladies and gentlemen...

[Blu (Ontario)]

A couple of years ago, I was called in for jury selection and was not picked... not that I particularly wanted to be selected. I had contemplated wearing a kilt to help avoid being selected. Fortunately I was not selected and now cannot be called up for several more years. Suits me just fine, thanks.

[cormacmacguardhe]

Interesting thread. I have been called to jury duty twice, served both times. The first was a possession case which was plea bargained before the jury got the case, the second was a 2nd degree attempted murder. That was interesting because of what was not allowed by the judge to be presented. We found the defendant guilty. If I ever get called again, I will gladly serve. Besides being one of our civic duties, it is very interesting.

[mudd]

I have been called for jury duty many times, in two different States. Only have only gotten chosen once for a small civil case.
I have found that if you show that you have any opinion about anything, you will probably not be picked.
And to keep in topic; the next time I get called, I am going to have on a Kilt.