Jury Duty??

Question

I deaf. Why judge make me stay jury duty? He say interpreter provided me. I think I slow down court being there.

Answer 1

I am deaf. I too have had been supoened for jury duty a few times. I wrote on the paper that I am deaf and sent it back. They never called me for jury duty. I think they did not want the hassle. Thank goodness!

Answer 2

Surest way to get out of jury duty is by appearing too eager to get it right.

I was reared with both reverence for the Divine and a strong sense of civic duty -- so I showed up with a notepad and recorded everything I thought was good to know regarding procedure (while the pool was being vetted).

The people that ended up on the jury were, with the exception of 1 or 2 people, the close relatives (first or second cousins, aunts, uncles, mother) of the defendants -- and all the relative jurors lived in the same neighborhood as the defendants.

One juror stood out: according to him, he had been a member of the sheriff's posse, and he "knew" that all the defendants were guilty; else they wouldn't have been there. I don't know what the Court did to get him back, but 2 days later, he made the panel.

I had no opinion one way or the other regarding guilt/innocence of the defendants.

I had no problem deciding "beyond reasonable doubt" the facts of a case based on the evidence presented, but I also remembered that the State has the burden of proof: if I'd been a juror, the State was going to have to convince me.

Juror's aren't interactive during the trial, so ... practically speaking ... you'd just have to get what you could and disregard the rest.

That fact alone should be able to get you tossed pretty easily: the defense won't want you prejudiced by a failure to appreciate its case, and the prosecution shouldn't want to risk you're coming back with a NG verdict simply because you're being fair to the defendant.

Also, if you (unwilling to be there) tend to not pay close attention to the interpreter, the court risks a mistrial -- or an overturned verdict on appeal (if you vote for conviction).

If you're just worried about slowing things down, though, your concern isn't valid: the courts move pretty much at their own pace.

Answer 3

You would be doing a great civic duty in serving on a jury. The fact you are deaf doesn't affect your judgement, and slowing the court down is what the LAWYERS do.

You have nothing to worry about; you will do fine.

Answer 4

It is still considered a civic duty as you are one of the people of the US, regardless of your disability. I don't believe, with an interpreter, that you'd slow down the course. But, my bet is that either the defense or prosecution will challenge your appearance on the jury, thus dismissing you.

Answer 5

Are you on a case or just being considered? When I did one case, this old woman was let off because she could not hear very well, however, since you are deaf you most likely have other methods of communication. Just express your feelings to the judge (if it isn't already too late) and that is the best you can do.

Answer 6

Sounds like the judge is on an ego power trip as so many of them are. You will be at a distinct disadvantage, not being able to under the inflections in the voices, just the interpreted testimony.

I will be shocked if a defense attorney allows you to sit on a case. Lots of judges are @sses.

Answer 7

Why are you trying to shun your duty as a Juror. Its a very interesting thing to do. I just finished Jury and I liked it very much. No big thing at all.

Answer 8

If you want to get out find someone with pink eye and contract it, there your contagious and can't see the interpreter so good. or you can serve in the jury but keep asking them to repeat the questions over and over, one of the lawyers might ask the judge to remove you.

Answer 9

sorwie to hear that. i got called to jury duty like 3 times in three consecutive years.. *sigh* it's hard to be EXCUSED from the jury duty. =)

Answer 10

I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT .I HATE JURY DUTY. I HAVE HAD TO BE THERE 3 TIMES