Kilts on Jury Duty...

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Sadly, wearing a kilt on jury duty is an act I doubt I'll ever get to enjoy.

As a retired firefighter and the spouse of a cop I get automatically excluded every time I get a jury summons. I check the box for both and give the department information on the reply form. Then I get notice back in the mail saying that I was disqualified from jury duty.

Apparently there is a presumption that being a former public safety professional and a cop's husband means that I will automatically side with the prosecution. Personally I think that's hogwash, but that's the way it is.

And I may be one of the few people in the world who actually wants to seat on a jury. I like the idea of doing a civic duty. But then a lot of people think I'm weird anyway.

Glassman, I salute your viewpoint. I consider jury duty a civic duty and an honor. I really detest the people that want to find a loophole to get out of it. I always have to ask them if they find ways to get out of voting as well.

[bubba]

I've never been called for jury duty. My wife has been twice but never had to sit on one, both times the case was settled first. I can understand why some folks want out of it though, it can be a serious economic loss if the case lasts more than an afternoon and some can't afford the lost wages. Yeah, I know they're paid a stipend but it's barely enough to pay transportation and lunch. Civic duty is a great concept until it has an adverse effect of getting the bills paid.

[GMan]

It seems that everytime I am called for jury duty, I either know one of the attorneys or someone involved in the case, and never serve. Haven't been called since I started wearing the kilt, so I will have to remember this. Great story.

[MacMullen]

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?" Not a single juror raised his or her hand. I wanted to stand up and raise my hand, but I chickened out.

That was a couple of years ago, so no kilt for me either.

As a Lutheran pastor, I'm sure they would've excluded me from the jury anyway.

[Graham]

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?" Not a single juror raised his or her hand. I wanted to stand up and raise my hand, but I chickened out.

That was a couple of years ago, so no kilt for me either.

As a Lutheran pastor, I'm sure they would've excluded me from the jury anyway.

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..

[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.

[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.