Petit Juror

And what of trials that are decided by judges and not by jurors? Are their decisions predictable and automatic

An opinion piece with pros and cons in regards to professional jurors. I can't post the text as I am posting from my phone

http://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-LB-10423

I believe it is our civic duty to serve. Some of us are unable to do this at certain points in our personal and professional lives, but able to serve at other points. I think that trying to work the system to get out of service just tilts the system against some of our most vulnerable members of society.

My daughter, a college student, recently got a jury summons and filled out the online questionnaire, but never heard anything back, so she went on the appointed day. Fortunately she didn't have a class that morning, so didn't miss anything. Someone in authority there looked at her and said "Are you a student?" She said yes and they said "You're excused, go to class!". The postcard saying that she was excused arrived a couple of days later.

spontaneous said:
When I served I didn't get to hear any interesting cases. I watched crappy talk shows for a day and a half. I was called into one selection, but was one of the first people dumped by the lawyers. On the second day when we were let out for lunch the woman at the desk told me I'd been there long enough and that I didn't need to come back. It wasn't the worst thing in the world, but as an employee in a small business I wasn't paid by my employer for my time so losing two days pay really sucked. I received a second jury duty notice only a year later. I appealed that one because you are supposed to be exempt for three years after serving, and I was excused.
My ex went had jury duty when we were married. He didn't bring any money or food because he assumed you were paid your $5 right then in cash (he was book smart, street stupid). When they broke for lunch we went up to the desk and asked for his $5. He said the response was along the lines of a very incredulous "Honey, we MAIL that to you." Not knowing what to do for food he went outside and saw that they were doing a blood drive at ECC. He figured if he gave a pint he would at least get a cup of juice and a Twinkie. But donating took him so long that when they finished he didn't have time for his Twinkie and juice and had to run back to the court house so he wouldn't be late and get in trouble with the court.
We really need professional juries. Yes, they would be paid more than $5 per day, but the would at least be partially offset by not having to do paperwork looking for potential jurors and hunting down a pool and wading through exemption requests and postponements.

Anything else in Our Constitution you'd like to re-write to your liking?

spontaneous said:
If I am not mistaken some other countries use professional jurors and have no issues. As far as jurors being cynical of testimony, is that any worse than jurors changing their verdicts to not have a hung jury, not because of compelling arguments but just so they can end the trial and go home

Well; perhaps, just perhaps, there is something worse than jurors who couldn't come up with a feeble, albeit passing, excuse.

And while we're at it; so much for oaths. I mean, seriously, if a juror can't abide by their own oath, why would they believe testimony from a witness under oath?

TomR

The last thing this country needs is an Assembly of Experts deciding whether or not we rot in prison, or win a lawsuit against a more powerful foe.

America is different- we believe that "ordinary citizens" are the center and possessor of power, not a bunch of government functionaries or "professional" jury members with agendas they bring from case to case.

Regarding the question of a judge deciding guilt or innocence without a jury- that's the defendants choice only. They have a right to a jury of peers

Postcard!! Thanks for the reassurances, all