jury duty is in your best interest

[cellio]

One of the minyanaires this morning commented that he might not be there next week because he has a jury summons -- but he's trying to get out of it. (My first thought was that he won't succeed; I got picked for a jury for a (predicted) 2-week trial last January, even though I told them up front that I would be leaving early on Fridays and they should schedule me in June or July instead. Then they settled the case between jury selection and the start of the trial, so it never came up.)

I don't understand why smart people try to get out of jury duty. We need smart people to be on juries as much as possible, to offset the bozo factor and the gullibility factor. Even if it's a PITA, enlightened self-interest should motivate people. I mean, if I were to be accused of a crime (heaven forbid), as it stands I'm not sure I'd want a jury. I suspect a judge is much more likely to evaluate the evidence.

I was on a jury from hell once. It was astonishing. The other jury members really did say, and believe, things like "he looks guilty" (really: "he's black"), and "he must be telling the truth because he's a priest", and crap like that. Utterly disgusting. Not one of them demonstrated any ability to really think. (I was an alternate, so I got kicked out when delibrations began. So I don't know how that played out.)

Comments

[chite.livejournal.com]

Wow... that's pretty astounding. I had a friend who was on a grand jury last year... 3 days a week for 6 weeks, and he was pleased as punch when he saw a short article in the Wash Post about the indictment that they handed down.. like he had really played a part in something.

Since I don't drive, I never get a summons for jury duty. Kind of amusing when you think of it.

[indigodove.livejournal.com]

I wish it were possible to volunteer for jury duty. I have never been called, despite the fact that I vote and drive (regularly, even). I would have liked to be on the juries for Taylor & Baumhammers because I understand mental illness better than the average person and I care about being both just and compassionate.

Yeah, volunteer juries could be an ethical nightmare...but there's some merit to the idea.