Jury Duty Experiences

[Doctor Q]

I'm on Jury Duty this coming week. Maybe they will call me for an interesting case. Maybe not.

Who has had interesting experiences while on jury duty?

[WinterMute]

I sat on my arse for two weeks, kept getting bounced to reserve, then got an arms smuggling case, very interesting seeing some very dangerous men in lots of trouble...

Hang 'em all. ;) :D

[Dros]

I was on a wacky case. A man and woman were driving to a motel so they could engage in carnal relations. They couldn't wait, so pulled into a parking lot at a 7-11 and went at it. The clerk called the police, and when they came both the man and woman appeared very drunk. Because there were no bottles in the car, it was obvious that they had driven while drunk.

The man took a breath test and failed, but once at the station, the woman claimed that she had been driving. At that point, several hours later, she passed a breath test.

One funny aspect was that the woman came dressed like a Victorian school teacher, in order to show she was not the drunken slut the case was portraying her as. Unfortunately, the jury all felt the case could not be made against them given the evidence, even though it was pretty obvious that they were driving drunk.

The jury experience was irritating. One woman kept saying how the man was sneezing when questioned, and so probably had allergies, and that allergy medicine can make you appear drunk even when you aren't. We kept having to explain that the fact he was drunk was not a point of contention - he failed the breath test and admitted to drinking. But she kept coming back to it, like she was thought she was Sherlock Holmes or something with her keen inferences. Most of the people couldn't make a logical argument to save their life.

The defense lawyer did all these things during the selection to, I guess, hypnotize us into thinking the defendent was innocent. He asked each person to say, "I presume the defendent is innocent" as if hearing that over and over would implant that into our brains.

[wdlove]

My last Jury duty experience was the just the week after 9/11. I am usually excused from jury duty because I'm a nurse. My previous was a Special Grand Jury and that was because my name was picked out of a hat. We were investigating Medicaid Fraud. My service lasted one year.

The above case was a murder trial. Each time they excused a jury it surprised me that I was remaining. The trial lasted 3 days. They took us to the crime scene with full police escort. Our jurors couldn't decide on guilt or innocence. I didn't decide on guilt right away either. Those for innocence had valid points. We sent a message to the judge that we were dead locked. It was just enough the the defendant pleaded guilty. It was sad, had a bright future ahead at 18. :(

We get called for jury duty every 3 years here in Boston. So I'm due again this Fall.

I'm sure that you will find it an enlightening experience, good luck. ;)

[MoparShaha]

Well Doctor Q, we're in the same boat. I'm going in on Monday as well. I'm only 21, and this is the second time I've been called. Last time, my group number wasn't called, so I didn't have to go. This time I wasn't so lucky :(.

[kevin49093]

My only experience with Jury Duty was in Michigan. The case involved a man who entered the back door of a Burger King at closing time. He stabbed one guy in the neck and then put everyone in a cooler and took the manager to open the safe. He got away, but it was pretty obvious who did it (bragging to friends).

Because everyone else was scared to step up, I became the foreman. Had to tell the judge "guilty" on the different charges. It actually only took us about ten minutes to decide it.

The most interesting thing about it was that the Judge came to talk to us after it was all over. He told us that this was the third strike for the guy, and he would be going away for a long time. He alo said that there was a bunch of evidence that they could not tell us, but very strongly pointed to the defendent. I thought it was strange that teh Judge pretty mucvh came out and told us that the he also thought the guy had done it.

I am glad I sat on a jury. Would do it again without complaint.

[Doctor Q]

I thought it was strange that teh Judge pretty mucvh came out and told us that the he also thought the guy had done it.Judges will often talk to jurors after a trial; they have no reason not to, once the case is over. In your case, it was probably reassuring. Lawyers, both prosecution and defense, may want to chat with jurors too, since this helps them assess how their cases were viewed from the jurors' point of view.

[JesseJames]

When they start deliberating, jump to your feet and scream "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!".
Repeat this whenever you feel like it.

[wdlove]

Judges will often talk to jurors after a trial; they have no reason not to, once the case is over. In your case, it was probably reassuring. Lawyers, both prosecution and defense, may want to chat with jurors too, since this helps them assess how their cases were viewed from the jurors' point of view.

Yes, that is correct Doctor Q. It happen in the case that I mentioned above. Both the defense and prosecution came in to thank us for our service, they realized how difficult it had been. Our judge was female very business like, but friendly and fair. She came into the jury room for about 15 minutes to explain exactly what happened. Aware of the difficulty that we were having. Acknowledged that the defendant did the right thing, he had pleaded to a lesser crime and would get 20 years.

[Kwyjibo]

kind of weird, but i have jury duty on monday too

[5300cs]

I had jury duty once when I was in Boston a few years ago. I sat around in a room the whole day. I didn't really plan ahead, so all I had were the manuals for Aces over Europe and 1942: The Pacific Air War GOLD in my bag. Man, I read those cover to cover.

We saw a video about how it was our civic duty and all that, told by people with big 80s hair and 70s audio (sounded like Charlie Browns teacher talking.)

Then at the end of the day, we were all taken into a court room and told that because we had even showed up, the people on trial that day had decided against a jury trial. The bailif thanked us and said that if there were a shortage of jurors, a lot of people will request a jury trial in the hopes of things being delayed and eventually thrown out.

I live in Japan now, so no jury duty (can't vote either.) When I get back home though, I'll join without complaint.

[Kwyjibo]

well i had mine today. I sat there for 3 hours, and they let us go at lunch. I got my check for $17 and was on my way. my observations are noted on my website but nothing really strange happened.

[Doctor Q]

Here in Los Angeles, you are called for jury duty for a particular week. You can easily change to another week, i.e., postpone it if you have trouble with the particular week that they picked for you. Then it works as follows:

* On Sunday night, you phone an automated system that tells you whether to report for duty Monday. If not, you do so again Monday night to see if you need to report Tuesday. And so on until Thursday night, calling to see if you need to report Friday.

* If the answer is no all 5 times, you are done with jury duty.

* If they call you one of the days, you go to the court building and wait to be called for a case.

* If you are not put on a case your first day, you are done with jury duty.

* If you are put on a case, you are on jury duty for the duration of that case, which could be one day or could be more than a week.

* They give you a token payment, barely enough for a bus ride one way, and they encourage you to donate it back instead of accepting it at all.

[Neserk]

I"ve always wanted Jury duty. Never have been called yet. Husband's been called several times. Go figure.

[pseudobrit]

I was put in the jury pool for a federal capital murder & drug trafficking case and must have made the shortlist, because I was called back for a more intense solo interview with just the prosecution, counsel and judge in the room.

Alas, I was tossed because of my very limited Catholic appetite for capital punishment.

[FriarTuck]

I've been called for jury duty a few times, voir dired (questioned by attorneys and/or judge before selection) twice. The first time, they bounced me as soon as they learned my profession (shhh... don't tell anyone... I'm an a-t-t-o-r-n-e-y). The second time, they didn't bounce me for that. And they asked me all kinds of questions about my family members and what kind of work they do/have done, but they forgot to ask me whether I myself had ever worked as a prosecutor. I have. But hey, I know cops lie too, so I had no problem being unbiased.

Anyway, guy was driving drunk, got popped, must have been a multiple-time loser b/c he was headed for jailarity by the time we were done with him. Deliberations took all of 10 minutes after an all-day trial.

[MongoTheGeek]

The closest I ever got to being called for Jury Duty was my parents got a letter for me 7 years after I moved out of state...

Noone would want me on a jury though.

[Doctor Q]

A guy I knew got called for Jury duty when he was a college freshman. Since he was a student, he was told he could postpone it until his status changed. When asked how long that would be, he wrote "10 years" since he was planning to go to grad school and get multiple degrees. As it turned out, he didn't go to grad school. I wonder if they ever caught up with him again for his long-postponed jury duty?

[krimson]

i've never actually had to "serve" on a jury. back when i was still a student that was a good enough excuse to get you out. Now it isn't so much.
The last time i was called.. 2 yrs ago, they extended the "1 day" service because the court I was assigned had already filled all the spots they needed, so we all went home around 12pm, BUT we had to go back to another court the next day.

So we get there in the morning, and around 1pm, i was feeling pretty good and was getting ready to go home, then I get called to this domestic disturbence case. I answered the defense attorneys questions, and she asked that I be excused.

that's pretty much it for me.. except for the other times i spent sitting on my rear reading Cosmo.. hahah...

[seamuskrat]

I have been called 4 times here in Los Angeles.

The first two times, I called and was told to stay home.

The second two times, I got called in the first day, and was promptly removed from the jury pool.

Apparently, working in public safety as a paramedic/firefighter tends to make criminal cases toss you out. Both times it was for a criminal case, and the defense tossed me out.

[Doctor Q]

Do trial lawyers routinely accept or dismiss jurors based on (apparent) intelligence or level of education? If a case is tricky (say an Enron-related trial), would they prefer smart jurors because there is a complicated case to present, or would they prefer people less trained at logical thinking who might be easier to sway? Would prosecution and defense always have opposite opinions about this?

If I was on trial, I'd want a stupid jury if I was guilty and a smart jury if I was innocent!

[MongoTheGeek]

Do trial lawyers routinely accept or dismiss jurors based on (apparent) intelligence or level of education? If a case is tricky (say an Enron-related trial), would they prefer smart jurors because there is a complicated case to present, or would they prefer people less trained at logical thinking who might be easier to sway? Would prosecution and defense always have opposite opinions about this?

If I was on trial, I'd want a stupid jury if I was guilty and a smart jury if I was innocent!

Partially. Lawyers who are good at pleading emotion tend to go for people who are easily swayed by emotion. Additionally defense attorneys go for jurors who resemble the defendant and prosecution attorneys go for people who resemble the victim. Additionally certain people tend to be more law and order types. If you go in with a Bush button the defense will try to find an excuse to excuse you. If you go in with a Kerry then the prosecution will try to find an excuse to excuse you.

[wdlove]

Your system sounds similar to ours Doctor Q. Except that we are required to show up on the day designated. We don't get paid till after the third days. Most companies here will pay your full salary. At the VA I had to return what the court paid me, it seemed only fair. I think that the defense and prosecution goes more on professions that anything like doctors, lawyers, ministers, and nurses.

[Kwyjibo]

If you go in with a Bush button the defense will try to find an excuse to excuse you. If you go in with a Kerry then the prosecution will try to find an excuse to excuse you.

thats why everyone needs to wear a shirt that says "3rd party" or "Perot 04"

[Crikey]

I sat on my arse for two weeks, kept getting bounced to reserve, then got an arms smuggling case, very interesting seeing some very dangerous men in lots of trouble...

Hang 'em all. ;) :D

You got to see heroes of the people, who had devoted their lives to delivering to ordinary citizens the means of defending themselves against the depredations of the state? Cool!

If I ever get jury duty, it'll be some horrid traffic accident or divorce case.


Crikey

[KingSleaze]

My (thus far) only jury duty experience came a few months after I retired from the Navy (prior to that, I got excused by being on active duty). Murder case. The accused allegedly killed his father and sister. The accused bought a knife for the deed a few days earlier, and confessed to the police after he ran away from home. The only thing defense brought up was his sister's diary and that his father had high expectations. Didn't provide much info from the diary to give reason for sister (apparently she said in it that she wanted to kill him) or father. Not much in the way of defense, nothing to cause reduction in degree of murder. They didn't keep us for penalty phase.
Trial lasted a week. Found out later the kid got 2 life sentences.

[AmbitiousLemon]

good thread.

I have actually been called 5 times but always had an excuse. I got called every 6 months for the first few years after I turned 18. Haven't heard anything from them in awhile though, they must have decided i was never going to show.

I would actually like to serve, sounds interesting, but I didn't want to waste my time showing up only not to get picked. Being a Berkeley student (now alum) who does genetics research and has been harrassed and attacked by cops on more than a dozen times for no particular reason I think most prosecutors would have a hard time not eliminating me. I have sat in on a number of cases though.

I witnessed an interesting child molestation case. I only caught the defenses closing arguments (took all day) but I was convinced by the time the defense finished that the guy was seriously guilty.

He had been caught in the girls bathroom with a young girl who had been stripped naked and had her mouth and arms and legged duct taped. His defense was that he had been looking for a place to hide from some 'bad guys' and fled into the girls' bathroom. He was hiding there when the victim came in and he was afraid she would scream or tell the 'bad guys' that he was hiding there. So he taped her mouth shut. But then because he was afraid she would run out he took off her clothes so she would be embarrassed to run outside. But she struggled and he had to tape her hands together and had to tape her legs spread apart and taped to the stall. The defense never explained who the 'bad guys' were who chased him in the bathroom. He also tried to suggest that the girl (don't know her age but it was an elementary school) made up the parts about him touching her in private places. Good news is he was caught before he could do too much with the girl.

I never caught the verdict, jury was out over a week I am told.

[me_94501]

Speak of the devil...I have jury duty tomorrow. I'll post a full report.

[rainman::|:|]

i've never been called, which is OK, but they wouldn't take me anyway-- i'm far too prejudicial towards a specific group of people. And even if i wasn't, i'd say i was. It actually kind of sounds like fun, i'm a Law & Order fan and i love courtroom dramas... which i'm sure are an accurate reflection of the process... but in reality i'd get stuck on some damn hog farmer vs. cow farmer case that would drag on for days...

My dad was on the jury of the first three-strikes case in the country, i believe. His last strike. It was pretty big for local media anyway.

paul

[Doctor Q]

I have completed my week of jury duty. It consisted of being "on call" for five days and never getting called. I'd didn't get to help put any vile jaywalkers behind bars after all. :(

[bbarnhart]

I was called for jury duty in Johnson County, Kansas where I used to live. I didn't want to participate so I dressed in my finest "redneck" gear. In the courtroom all the potential jurors where all there and they called up the first batch. I missed out (yea!) They asked them all if they had any reason why they couldn't serve. One lady who was extremely pregnant got out (imagine that) and so did several others for various reasons.

Well I ended up getting picked after all (damn!). Then the lawyers started talking and they got to ask us questions to see if each of use would make a good juror for them. The case wall dull. An African-American man had allegedly stolen a purse from an older Caucasian woman.

The defense lawyer asked me if I thought I could be partial. In other words, did I think that I could make a fair judgment. I answered in my best redneck voice with a deep and resounding "yeah" with a slight tone that said "No, not really". I was excused.

Now, I'm not really biased, but I had better things to do with my free vacation day. I now feel bad for not being a better citizen so I'm looking forward to jury duty again.

[Doctor Q]

One of my family members is foreperson on a jury this week, deliberating on a battery case. I'm not sure if it's about Eveready or Duracell. :D

While I'm waiting to hear how that turns out, do any of you have new jury duty stories to tell?

[superbovine]

Do trial lawyers routinely accept or dismiss jurors based on (apparent) intelligence or level of education? If a case is tricky (say an Enron-related trial), would they prefer smart jurors because there is a complicated case to present, or would they prefer people less trained at logical thinking who might be easier to sway? Would prosecution and defense always have opposite opinions about this?

If I was on trial, I'd want a stupid jury if I was guilty and a smart jury if I was innocent!

I've heard a lawyer say that never wanted an engineer on a case because they go through the evidence to throughly. bahahahaha

[rdowns]

I just got a notice to serve. I always seem to get picked for federal court and have never been put on a case. Seems lawyers don't like confident, out-spoken people on juries.

[Deepdale]

I just got a notice to serve. I always seem to get picked for federal court and have never been put on a case. Seems lawyers don't like confident, out-spoken people on juries.

Last summer I received a notice to appear for jury duty on a civil case. I was in the first group questioned for a medical malpractice suit that resulted in a patient's death. I survived all inquiries that lasted until 3:30, but my fate was sealed when an attorney for the surviving spouse posed the following question to me.

Q: Would you be willing to award a substantial amount of money to the family of the decedent if you believed the doctor and hospital were negligent and contributed to the man's premature death despite his preexisting conditions?

A: I have no fundamental problem awarding monetary damages in such a case. However, earlier it was made clear by all the attorneys that the man also had been diagnosed with cancer from having been a smoker for 25 years and was previously told his remaining life expectancy was likely 6-9 months. I would decide in the family's favor if the facts led me to that conclusion, not merely because one side exhorted me to do so.

After the final afternoon break, I was dismissed ... and not the slightest bit unhappy about it.

[pimentoLoaf]

Just received a jury summons after a thirteen year hiatus. Which brings me to...

1993. The summons came a month before my folks and I were to vacation, so I was able to get a one month delay. Had I not delayed, I would not have served due to cancellations all sorts. However...

Parked in a jury lot several blocks from the courthouse, so I was a bit warm seeing how it was early June. No metal detectors in those days, though they would soon do so when someone's family member brought a gun and shot up the place a couple of years later. Asked around for the proper room, opened the door and found numbered circles on the floor nearby -- when your name is called, a number is associated with it, and that is your location in the jury box.

Checked in, used the lavatory, got something to eat (it was not yet 7am), and then watched a fun film saying what a joy jury duty is, relating how attorneys could actually determine your worth by your clothing style, type of shoes, & etc; how reserve jurors could be passed over from one case to the next but would find at least one case that would "fit"; what a joy it was to get paid a few dollars for your time.

And then I sat, paced, read boring issues of Field & Stream, and then...

Small number (number one is mandatory foreman), bailiff calming everyone assembling, informing us before leaving what the case is roughly about. We then strolled though the building discussing nothing, filed into a tremendously lit courtroom, was sworn in, and each of us stood up playing show-'n'-tell with our names, address, phone number (yes, all in public), and our employment status, followed by questions regarding the case, whether we knew anyone involved (including the judge), and etc.

Had to go into chambers to discuss something with the judge; consequently, didn't have to serve. Back to the pool room.

Next case? Pub brawl, with things flying and bones breaking. 32 jurors called, after 27 interviews and me at 29 (if I recall properly), the rest of us were dismissed.

Lunch called, then back for another two cases. One involved loans so complicated, the judge had to send for more jurors with money backgrounds. The last case I don't recollect, save for the judge leaving for his chambers to the whims of a attorneys with attitude, and returning, arguing with a heart specialist juror that his being on call 24/7 would just have to wait regardless of what he or the hospital thought -- incredibly, he argued back at the judge with some force, which we all thought later was rather extraordinary.

Not selected for the first day, I came back the next to discover I could've stayed home.

This time around will have to delay for various reasons.

[erickkoch]

I was a on a jury for a murder trial. Two gangbangers. One was hispanic, the other black. They grew up knowing each other, went to the same school, lived in the same neighborhood. When they got older they joined separate gangs, the hispanic gangster shot and killed the black one. We convicted him. We didn't decide his sentence or anything, but I doubt he would be out anytime soon. Very sad situation.

[Deepdale]

Years ago I worked in a building that was next to a federal courthouse. One day I spent time observing a proceeding in a drug possession trial when the defendant's mother was allowed to address the court.

She spoke of how much her son was out of control due to his involvement with drugs. She then requested that prison time be imposed because she felt that was the harsh wake-up call he needed. The judge said he had basically decided the same thing since her son had a prior arrest and then handed down a sentence of two years. It was difficult watching a family go through that.

[Doctor Q]

I'm on jury duty again this week. By luck (good or bad, depending on your point of view), I've never made it onto a jury. As of today, I'm in a panel of about 60 potential jurors from which a jury will be selected. Maybe I'll actually get on a jury this time.

I'm sure I'll be able to decide guilt or innocence by writing software that determines the truth of testimony with absolute certainty. I'll ask the judge when I should start writing it.

Cross reference: I noticed a related thread: Students: Jury duty

[furious]

I have been asked before. I am middle class and white so I do not suit the cast.

[nbs2]

Enjoy the time, Q.

I'm still waiting for my first summons...

[FrankBlack]

I'm also in MA, and yes, you may be called every three years under state law. I've been called four times over the last twenty years, and I'm not "up" again for another two. Of the four times I've been called, I was only actually impaneled on a Jury once. It was a drunken driving case, and the accused had made the dumb mistake of trying to pick a fight with the police officer who had stopped him.

So, what happened? Well, after I took my seat in the box, I was challenged by the defense. No idea why. He looked at me, looked the form I had filled out, looked back at me, and challenged. So, I was off that one. Who knows? Dandruff maybe. I forget how many peremptory challenges they can use.

On the other occasions I have gone, I have spent most of the day in the Jury assembly room, getting caught up on my reading.

Bring reading material with you, and some bottled water and snacks. Whether or not you may have your cell phone depends on local laws. In MA, you may use your phone in designated areas of the court house, but not in the Jury assembly room, and absolutely not in the court rooms. Best to check before you bring it.

Federal Jury Duty is another matter. Don't know too many people who have done it.

We all know that the reason for having juries is to prevent the government from using the courts to "get" people they just don't like. Still, with so many people pulling so many crazy stunts and excuses (http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/13665354/detail.html) to get out of it, you would think they would realize that maybe something is wrong.

[WildCowboy]

I have been called once since I posted (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=2560681&postcount=10) in the other thread, and that was a few months ago. I did have to report one morning, but fortunately both cases were settled (one was a public nuisance case that was settled civilly while the other was a drug case that was plea bargained) without needing to proceed to trial. So we all sat there for two hours before they let us all go home.

My mother was recently called to serve in personal injury case stemming from a car accident. The defense tossed her from the pool of jurors when they found out that she had had a 20-year career as an x-ray technician and asked if she would be able to make her own interpretation of x-rays presented in the trial. Guess their evidence was awfully weak...

[Doctor Q]

Ninety minutes ago I was released from jury service, after 2 days in a courtroom on a jury panel.

Now I can discuss the case. It was a felony murder charge. The victim was linked to the defendant by DNA evidence, with expert witnesses testifying about DNA as well as about the autopsy. I will be spared having to study some rather grisly photographs. I've never before (knowingly) been in a room with a murder suspect!

I found it interesting that one man on the jury revealed, during his interview, that he was found guilty of a car registration violation many years ago, and that it was by the very same judge who is presiding over the current case. He said he could still be impartial in this case, and both the people's attorney and the defense attorney signed off on him. So he's on the jury!

[KristieMac]

I was almost called once! And I was exceptionally disappointed that I didn't even make it to the court house! The whole trial was cancelled and I was off the hook! :(

[cycocelica]

Still awaiting my first summon. I really want to do it.

[Doctor Q]

Perhaps I shouldn't have brought my iPod speaker system into the courtroom and cranked up the volume playing Murder, Murder from the "Jekyll & Hyde" musical! I do, in fact, have that song in my iTunes library. :eek:

OK, I didn't really play music. You know me better than that. I was a model potential juror while doing my civic duty. Although, despite the seriousness of the case, there were a few lighthearted moments and chuckles from the audience during the jury selection. One example: The attorney told jurors that TV shows like CSI aren't always based on real court rules. When asked if he watched that kind of show, one prospective juror replied "I watch Court TV" and the attorney said that was a "little more realistic."

While I was in downtown Los Angeles, I made the most of my lunch hours. Today I managed to squeeze in a quick visit to the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art (http://www.moca.org/) (MOCA).

[Sun Baked]

The only time I really got to the point where they started seating jurors for a long case -- it was about for someone who beat up, robbed, and raped a senior citizen.

Lucky my excused for not being able to come back was, no car and lived over 5 miles from the nearest bus stop. ;)

Otherwise it is usually missing my group number, or the judge scaring the DUI defendants into a plea bargain -- which usually means bringing a bunch of us into the court and getting ready to start the trial.

[Doctor Q]

While sitting in the courthouse for 2 days, I studied the number of people there and the probability that I would get on the jury in the courtroom I was assigned to. Each time jurors were accepted onto the jury, my chances were reduced. Ever time jurors were dismissed from the pool, my chances were increased.

Of the original people assigned to my group, 17.3% were excused from jury service in the first round, mostly for having an obvious bias in the case or for having too poor an understanding of English.

Within the remaining group, I noted the acceptance/rejection rate as the judge and attorneys interviewed prospective jurors and dismissed more of them, for a variety of reasons.

Within the initial group a random person would have only a 20.0% chance of being selected for the jury. Those remaining after the first round of the judge's dismissals had a 42.1% chance of being acceptable for the jury and a 57.9% change of being unacceptable. Only a random 61.3% subset of the candidates were interviewed before a full jury (12 plus 3 alternates) was established.

I started with a 61.3% chance of being picked for those interviews. With each round of dismissals, the called more names from the dwindling pool, and my chances of being called in the next round changed: 18.4%, 22.6%, 14.8%, and finally 17.4%. In each individual round, the odds favored NOT being called, but the accumulation of rounds meant I was more likely than not to be interviewed eventually.

If interviewed, I expected that I would be accepted for the jury. Knowing that from the start, I had an overall 57.5% chance of being on the jury. However, by random chance, I wasn't chosen, so here I am back 2 weeks earlier than I might have been.

[Maui]

If interviewed, I expected that I would be accepted for the jury. Knowing that from the start, I had an overall 57.5% chance of being on the jury. However, by random chance, I wasn't chosen, so here I am back 2 weeks earlier than I might have been.

As someone who picks juries for a living, it is always interesting to read comments such as these. The stats are interesting, but miss one point -- the lower your juror number, the better chance you have of ending up on the jury. Let's say the judge asks for 100 potential jurors, and needs to select 9 + 2 alternates. If juror #1 is not challenged for cause or dismissed with a peremptory challenge, he/she will be on the jury. Then they move to juror #2, same process. Then juror #3, and on and on. When they have 9 + 2, they stop. So, someone with a juror number of 70 or something probably has very little chance of ending up on the jury. It varies, of course, depending on factors such as how many peremptorys the judge allows (it varies), whether the judge does the voir dire him or herself or lets the lawyers do it, etc.

Unfortunately, the odds are very low that I will ever end up on a jury. I'd love to see it from that side.

[KristieMac]

As someone who picks juries for a living, it is always interesting to read comments such as these.

Dang it! Pick ME!!!!! :)

[Doctor Q]

the lower your juror number, the better chance you have of ending up on the jury.What is a juror number?

We each had 9-digit juror ID numbers and when they called each batch of people to be interviewed, they announced them by those numbers. Although they didn't say so, I assumed that they picked from that pool at random.

If the juror numbers you refer to are an ordered sequence within the pool, i.e., 1st candidate to be interviewed, 2nd candidate to be interviewed, etc., then weren't THOSE sequence numbers picked randomly from the overall pool? If so, the fact that the order was predetermined didn't change the overall odds of any particular one of us being selected without knowing where that person was placed in the selection order.

[Maui]

What is a juror number?

We each had 9-digit juror ID numbers and when they called each batch of people to be interviewed, they announced them by those numbers. Although they didn't say so, I assumed that they picked from that pool at random.

No, I don't mean the 9-digit juror ID number. When you are called out of the jury waiting room, and go into a courtroom, the judge and the lawyers re-numbered you, starting at 1 and going up to however many potential jurors were in that group called into the courtroom (usually 30-50 depending on the case, sounds like on your case there were probably more).

If the juror numbers you refer to are an ordered sequence within the pool, i.e., 1st candidate to be interviewed, 2nd candidate to be interviewed, etc., then weren't THOSE sequence numbers picked randomly from the overall pool? If so, the fact that the order was predetermined didn't change the overall odds of any particular one of us being selected without knowing where that person was placed in the selection order.

Yes, exactly right. The new numbers (starting at 1) are picked randomly by the jury coordinator (actually, in Los Angeles, by a computer). The only way you know what your new number is is by looking at the order in which you were called, or your position in line, or whatever.

My point (and it really was only a minor one) was simply that when you calculated the odds, if you were already part of a potential juror group and had been called into a courtroom, the odds at that point were not even and you had a much greater chance of being selected if you had a low juror number. The people in the back of the bus, at that point, were real longshots.

It is an interesting process. You can easily tell when a juror is trying to get off the panel, but it is even easier to spot those who want to be on. They tend to give very long answers, and to make self-serving comments like "I'm a very fair person." They tend to get kicked off more quickly than those who want to get kicked off.

[Doctor Q]

After hearing me talk about my latest experience, my mom related one of her own.

She was on the jury for a criminal trial, and in their deliberations the jurors had voted 11-1 for a guilty verdict. The lone holdout said "Why do we have to be so just?"