Jury duty question......?

Question

I have ben summoned to serve as a trial juror and I just want to know do I have a choice at all on what kind of trial I get? I am not trying to get out of it but I don't feel comfortable with trials on killing or domestic abuse(do to personal reasons). Would I be obligated to still be on a trial that is related to those topics?

I meant been*

Okay....did you read what I said? I am willing and able to go. I just have personal issues dealling with domestic violence and murder...

Answer 1

Hi,
Sorry to say you have
no choice on what kind of
trial you get.
When jury selection takes
place, you will have a chance
to object to being a juror, and
you´ll need to explain why to
the judge and both lawyers.
If the judge agrees with you,
you'll be 'absolved'. However,
if he does not agree with you,
the lawyers will then have to
decide if you are a juror that
may help they're case.
So, best advise, be calm and
collected when you speak to
the judge, be brief, thorough
and to the point. Don´t go on
and on and on. The judge will
appreciate that. Honesty does
pay.
Wish you the best!
Happy Holidays!

Answer 2

schleppy " You will have to report for duty, but before the trial they generally ask the prospective jurors if they have any reason that they feel that they cannot be impartial (for example, having been a victim of a similar crime, etc.) If you can't be impartial, they won't want you on the jury anyway and will probably dismiss you. "

now if they decide to put you on the grand jury you will have to hear about all abunch of cases and decide if they will have to go to trial or not they will also have you come back a few months later to do the same thing again. at least that is what happened to my husband

Answer 3

They will question you and decide if you should be put on a jury or not. You should also know a Juror's rights, when you are on a jury you become one of several judges you may not know or understand the law but should know the difference between right and wrong. The judge is in the courtroom to keep order and instruct you in the law only. You should decide with your own good conscious and never let anyone else sway you to what they think whether they like it or not. Also according to our Constitution if you feel the law they broke is and unjust law you are required to say Not Guilty in good conscious and if you feel that they did break the law but were justified in doing so you are required to say Not Guilty in good conscious. Most people do not know what their rights are as a juror and in some courts they do not allow you to be instructed in these rights. It is probably one of the least known things concerning rights in this country.

Answer 4

You don't get to pick the type of trial but when the jury is being selected for a specific trial each potential juror is questioned at length about their feelings and attitudes regarding the type of crime being tried. If you don't want to serve just tell the lawyer or judge (they both question you) that you don't feel you can be impartial. They will probably dismiss you but there is no guarantee.

I've been on 6 juries and love doing it.

Answer 5

I've been summoned several times but could not attend because of financial hardship- you may be able to claim this if the amount they are going to pay you will hinder your ability to pay your basic necessities and expenses. You have no choice for what trial you get because you are usually summoned for a particular trial- either criminal or civil. I've noticed that they screen out certain people just by looking at them because they use psychology to determine whether or not you would be a neutral or biased candidate; in other words, if you wear a hunting outfit with a moohawk haristyle, they may screen you out because they may think that you're too radical or extreme in your views because of what you're wearing.

Answer 6

You don't have a choice as to what you are summoned for. However you will be asked some questions by the lawyers and getting your feelings out in the open quickly will make it easier on you.

If you have a general feeling or you are not suited to be a juror on the case the lawyers will get you out of there pretty quick.

If you can't be fair neither side will want you on the jury.
Good luck...

Answer 7

You will have to report for duty, but before the trial they generally ask the prospective jurors if they have any reason that they feel that they cannot be impartial (for example, having been a victim of a similar crime, etc.) If you can't be impartial, they won't want you on the jury anyway and will probably dismiss you.

Answer 8

Hello, Judy you did not say what state you are in but you may have to look up your states requirements and exceptions for jury duty. If you are in California this link should help...http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/jury/

I believe that you may be able to talk to the person in charge of selecting the jury, however I think you might still be required to serve, unless the defense team feels that you might be prejudice against their client. They should find that out when or if you are interviewed as a jury. At any rate try to be objective, and be honest when asking questions.

I hope this helps

Answer 9

Absolutely. The prosecutor and the defense attorney will ask if you can be impartial during the trial before they put you on any jury. Just tell them that you cannot, due to personal reasons, and they will excuse you "for cause."

Answer 10

In my county, civil and criminal cases have jurys pulled from one common jury pool. If you get called to a court the judge and lawyers will decide if you are selected. You can always "get out of jury duty" if you lie BUT if a judge believes you are, you may find yourself sitting in jail for a few days!