Yes, I'm on the jury

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

Final selection today 2 men, 14 women including me. Two women are alternates.

It took until 2 PM to pick the final jury, we were sworn in around 3, and heard opening statements from both sides.

I think I'm really going to enjoy this trial. I think it will be very interesting and I'm sure I'll learn a lot. I'm actually looking forward to it.

Off until Monday and no court on Fridays.I always thought the lawyers were the catered to people in court but it seems like they consider the jury to be so important, that they will bend over backwards to fulfill our needs when in the courtroom.

Aren't allowed to take notes. Judges choice. Don't have to wear juror badges but can if we want to? Who would want to?

Had lunch at Rutger's cafeteria because it is just across the street. Yesterday we went 6 blocks away and returned late because we had to wait for our check. No more black marks for me during this trial.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I've been called but never picked. I look forward to hearing about your experience.

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

I'm glad you're looking forward to it, nice to read as so many people don't want the experience.
I've been called for jury duty 3 times, and questioned as a potential juror but always released, mostly by the attorneys. I worked in insurance so was often dismissed just because of that for civil cases. Enjoyed the bit I saw in court, and thought the rest would be fun. Hope you can share some things with us.

Where do you have to serve?

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Yes, a fraud case should be pretty interesting! I'm glad it's not a murder case, ugh.

You mean Rutgers Camden? You're not up in New Brunswick, are you?

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

I'm in Camden, Federal jury which seems more rigid to me. Didn't excuse jurors (potential) easily. Can't discuss the case with anyone. Can't even discuss it with other jurors until deliberations.

I didn't want to be picked because the first 3 1/2 days were so boring but now that the trial has started, I'm really looking forward to going. Will have to wait until trial is over and if we are told then that we can discuss it, I will tell you the highlights snd the interesting points.

Otherwise Sorry!Federal jury in Camden draws from the 7 south jersey counties. There are 2 in Northern Jersey which draw from those counties.

I had been called to Mays Landing for criminal court 6 yrs ago but I knew one of the lawyers and the police officers so I was excuse.

I was called for civil court in Atlantic City 3 yrs ago but wasn't chosen.

This seemed so much more sofisticated. Federal judge and Federal prosecutors and Defense attorneys. I guess these people make the BIG bucks.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

I've only done short cases - no more than three days. One DUI where we acquitted because of poor police work. He almost surely was guilty but the police work had a big enough hole that we all felt there was room for reasonable doubt. The other case I remember was a disorderly conduct case in which the defendant needed psychiatric help. We had to convict, but also issued a recommendation to the judge that he try to include in his sentencing provisions to get the guy some help.

It's very interesting to see the jury process at work. In the DUI case we deliberated for about five hours over two days and went from 10-2 in favor conviction on the first ballot to a unanimous decision to acquit, without any of the jurors feeling pressured. As we walked through the testimony, the judge's instructions, and the wording of the statute it became clear that the state hadn't proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

I get bounced from drug cases because I have some strongly held views that guarantee that one of the parties is going to remove me on peremptory challenge (or if I'm close to being seated they will take their chances with an existing juror rather than risk seating me.)

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

On the trial where I sat as a juror, we determined that the defendant wasn't guilty. The case against him seemed pretty shaky. We ran into him at the elevators and he thanked us, saying that he really didn't do it. I felt good that we made the right decision.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

They call me every time they can. They called me last year and I was excused and they called me again this year- but I sent in the paperwork from last year and was excused as one cannot be called here for 3 years after service. I've been called about 6 times and only chosen for a jury once.

[catwgirl Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close catwgirl]

Good luck Kay. I hope you enjoy the experience.

I have been called to jury duty but have always been kicked out of the box during voir doir by the prosecution.

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

Linda,
Maybe if you stop flirting with the defense lawyer, the prosecutors would'nt
have kicked you off. I just about knew that since the seat next to me was filled 3 times, that it was unlikely that I was on my way out.

Other than this upsetting my whole life, I think it is really exciting. I haven't attended a good class for years and I think this will be an educational experience for me. Maybe I'll follow Beag's example and go to law school. Nah, I never wanted to be a lawyer when I was young so no chance in h*ll that I'd want to be one now.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Linda,
Maybe if you stop flirting with the defense lawyer, the prosecutors would'nt
have kicked you off. I just about knew that since the seat next to me was filled 3 times, that it was unlikely that I was on my way out.

Other than this upsetting my whole life, I think it is really exciting. I haven't attended a good class for years and I think this will be an educational experience for me. Maybe I'll follow Beag's example and go to law school. Nah, I never wanted to be a lawyer when I was young so no chance in h*ll that I'd want to be one now.

When I was on the defense team, no one flirted with me - man nor beast !

If I had to do it again, I would've done this 15-20 years ago. It's not for the aging baby boomer or the faint-hearted. I'm trying to keep up with the 24 y.o set for the most part. I could be their Mother or even Grandmother (in some states). Yeesh.

“Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill”

As the admissions dean said, "you have life experience". She had no idea !

[Joe L Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe L]

I was on a panel where they question potential jurors, prior to accepting you as a juror. It was in Civil Court. One of the potential jurors was a judge from Supreme Court. One of the questions was "Can you be fair and impartial?" The attorneys squirmed when asking the judge that question. So funny. Needless to say, the judge was not picked for the jury. They may be in front of his court one day.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Kay,

It's refreshing to here you are looking forward to this experience. So many people want to figure out ways to avoid serving. Until you sit on a jury, it's hard to imagine what goes on inside the jury room and what important decisions you make.

You will be the most important person in the room along with your fellow jurors. You will be deferred to and coddled by the court and attorneys.

I recommend that you wear your jury badge because if you are around the courthouse, the attorneys and court personnel are limited in to speaking to you. If they don't know you are a juror, they may accidently say something they are not supposed to. That could adversely impact the case and the parties.

I look forward to hearing about your experience after it is over.

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

Kay,

It's refreshing to here you are looking forward to this experience. So many people want to figure out ways to avoid serving. Until you sit on a jury, it's hard to imagine what goes on inside the jury room and what important decisions you make.

I wasn't so enthused when we sat around for 2 1/2 days doing nothing, but now thaat the trial has started, i am excited. It will be like taking a college course for free.

You will be the most important person in the room along with your fellow jurors. You will be deferred to and coddled by the court and attorneys.

I learned this yesterday and was very surprised.

I recommend that you wear your jury badge because if you are around the courthouse, the attorneys and court personnel are limited in to speaking to you. If they don't know you are a juror, they may accidently say something they are not supposed to. That could adversely impact the case and the parties.

I look forward to hearing about your experience after it is over.

No jury duty today and none on any Friday. I guess the bigwig feds get the day before plus the holiday.