Nads, I've been called for jury duty a few times and have been lucky enough to get out of it. However, I would love to be called on this case, the problem I have is when I'm asked if I can be impartial? I think I'd be excused immediately.
Nads & AAAA, I've been on jury service several times (why me?) And at each sitting I have always been on an actual panel. First time a fraud case - several charges and jury couldn't agree on one charge and it took forever to make a decision. At the end of that trial we all hoped we never saw each other again.
Next I was on a murder trial. A well-known case in the area and we (the jury) systematically went through exactly what the judge told us to consider. Because this took so long, we got shuffled off to a motel and were in lock down for the night. The police had to go to our homes and collect from our families what we requested. For one jury member living alone, the police had to get her stuff and feed her cat! We said he was guilty early the next day. Four days later I was on a jury panel in a drug case which didn't finish as accused pleaded guilty.
Next time I was called for jury service I was on the most boring of cases - perverting the course of justice. The jury made a not guilty decision in about 5 minutes. Was a waste of court resources.
These are the main things that have intrigued me each time I have been on a jury panel:
- the jury's group dynamics - how life-long bonds and short-term friendships can be formed; detest for fellow members and their opinions; and the nicest experience is of a group coming together for a single purpose and respecting each other's feelings and opinions and supporting each other to a unanimous decission
- how the legal system presents cases especially when the prosecution or defence have much in their favour
- how loooonnnnnggggg both sides take in opening and especially closing statements
- how loooonnnnnggggg the Judge/Magistrate takes to initially instruct the jury, then give advice before the jury goes into consideration mode.
- how much time jury panels have to sit around in the jury room while stuff goes on that the jury is not allowed to hear
- how cold (temperature) the court rooms are - ridiculous and so unnecessary. Last time I nearly took in a blanket :coldcase:
- how much money goes into our court system and how lengthy it is
As years go by I have observed the Judge/Magistrate states the bleeding obvious to the jury now-a-days and thinks we, the joe blow public jury are idiots. I was actually offended by the last Magistrate's comments to the jury.
I have also been a witness in various courts - many times in my professional capacity and a few times in incidents I was involved in on a personal level.
Sorry to have rabbited on a bit and MOO.
