Dan Bornstein (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} danfuzz) wrote,@ 2005-12-12 09:24:00 |
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Jury Duty 3
9:08am: Some other person appears to be manning the mike now. "Testing, testing, 1 2 3." It appears to be just about time for the video telling us how the justice system works (or something like that). "Can I see Becky last-name at the counter please?"
9:10am: TVs are turned on. Someone pressed play on the DVD player: "California. The greatest state in the union. Our state is a source of great natural beauty. ... But ... We have disputes. ... Upholding what is right and correcting what is wrong ... But who should make these decisions? Who could make them fairly? ... Who could be impartial? ... Many times, we don't trust any one official, or ... Whether it's a civil trial, or a criminal trial ... Instead, we trust in the community to make the right decision. This is our democratic ideal. ... 'Our system is better than other countries...' ... So important is our right to trial by jury ... Never again shall we be judged by ... 'I would love to have the jury that I served on...' ... 'We're all different. We're all coming together.' ... If chosen to be a juror ... Democracy is made real every day, by ... You may be asked to serve on a civil case ... or it may be a criminal case. ... What does it take? Common sense, fairness, and ... There are three stages for jurors ... 'Remain seated and come to order...' In the courtroom, the judge will ... The secretary ... The bailiff ... The court reporter ... 'Raise your right hands...' Jury selection starts with your ... The judge tells you about the claims or charges ... If you have any questions about your privacy or confidentiality, you may ... The attorneys want the best juries possible ... 'I am a salesman for a pharmaceutical company...' 'There is the issue of bias, and there's the issue of an open mind...' ... 'As a peremptory challenge, we would like to thank and excuse juror number six...' ... For a criminal case, there are ... You need no special training to be a juror, but you will follow some rules ... Keep your mind open ... You can't investigate the case independently ... 'Ladies and gentlemen of the jury...' 'Your Honor, I would like to submit these e-mails into evidence...' 'Objection, Your Honor!...' 'Objection sustained...' You may hear the testimony of a number of witnesses. ... After all the evidence is presented ... These statements are not evidence, they are points of view. ... Only a jury can decide. ... The judge will instruct you on how to ... 'Trying to come to some sort of agreement with twelve strangers...' ... Often, a guidebook is available to help organize ... You may organize yourselves as seems best. ... It will be your duty to give your opinion, and also to listen to the opinions of others. ... 'Let's all take another vote...' ... In a civil trial ... In a criminal trial ... 'We the jury...' ... Justice has been served. ... After the judge discharges you, you are not required ... It is often a deep and moving experience ... 'I came out feeling positive...' 'I felt good about myself...' Justice. Of the people. By the people. And for the people. You make these ideals real by serving on a jury." [Queue up stoic and patriotic march music.]
9:08am: Some other person appears to be manning the mike now. "Testing, testing, 1 2 3." It appears to be just about time for the video telling us how the justice system works (or something like that). "Can I see Becky last-name at the counter please?"
9:10am: TVs are turned on. Someone pressed play on the DVD player: "California. The greatest state in the union. Our state is a source of great natural beauty. ... But ... We have disputes. ... Upholding what is right and correcting what is wrong ... But who should make these decisions? Who could make them fairly? ... Who could be impartial? ... Many times, we don't trust any one official, or ... Whether it's a civil trial, or a criminal trial ... Instead, we trust in the community to make the right decision. This is our democratic ideal. ... 'Our system is better than other countries...' ... So important is our right to trial by jury ... Never again shall we be judged by ... 'I would love to have the jury that I served on...' ... 'We're all different. We're all coming together.' ... If chosen to be a juror ... Democracy is made real every day, by ... You may be asked to serve on a civil case ... or it may be a criminal case. ... What does it take? Common sense, fairness, and ... There are three stages for jurors ... 'Remain seated and come to order...' In the courtroom, the judge will ... The secretary ... The bailiff ... The court reporter ... 'Raise your right hands...' Jury selection starts with your ... The judge tells you about the claims or charges ... If you have any questions about your privacy or confidentiality, you may ... The attorneys want the best juries possible ... 'I am a salesman for a pharmaceutical company...' 'There is the issue of bias, and there's the issue of an open mind...' ... 'As a peremptory challenge, we would like to thank and excuse juror number six...' ... For a criminal case, there are ... You need no special training to be a juror, but you will follow some rules ... Keep your mind open ... You can't investigate the case independently ... 'Ladies and gentlemen of the jury...' 'Your Honor, I would like to submit these e-mails into evidence...' 'Objection, Your Honor!...' 'Objection sustained...' You may hear the testimony of a number of witnesses. ... After all the evidence is presented ... These statements are not evidence, they are points of view. ... Only a jury can decide. ... The judge will instruct you on how to ... 'Trying to come to some sort of agreement with twelve strangers...' ... Often, a guidebook is available to help organize ... You may organize yourselves as seems best. ... It will be your duty to give your opinion, and also to listen to the opinions of others. ... 'Let's all take another vote...' ... In a civil trial ... In a criminal trial ... 'We the jury...' ... Justice has been served. ... After the judge discharges you, you are not required ... It is often a deep and moving experience ... 'I came out feeling positive...' 'I felt good about myself...' Justice. Of the people. By the people. And for the people. You make these ideals real by serving on a jury." [Queue up stoic and patriotic march music.]
