Posted on Aug 30, 2016
Does being a veteran keep you from serving on a jury?
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I ask because yesterday I was called for jury duty. I was selected to a group of 28 potential jurors who went to a courtroom to be questioned by the judge and lawyers. When questioning revealed that I had served in the military I could see red pens come out on both sides to mark their spreadsheets. Ultimately I wasn't selected, but sure seemed vet status did me in early on in questioning.
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 257
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My question then is why not make all members a vet and make the judicial system truly prove innocence.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Well since vets are such a small percentage of population these days, that could really draw getting a trial out.
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In my persona opinion, being denied service on a jury because you're active duty military or a veteran smacks of blatant discrimination and bias. It would also be a denial of a person's right to the impaneling of a fair and impartial jury for their trial. However, having said that, there's also the old legal saw of "Money Talks and BS Walks"........
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No, although I was bounced in jury selection for a murder trail; I showed up in suit and tie and was told later by a court bailiff that I looked like "...the typical angry white male...'
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Sir,
I have absolutely no doubt that I would be excused for the same reasons.
1969-1971 Vietnam Ameircal Division
I have absolutely no doubt that I would be excused for the same reasons.
1969-1971 Vietnam Ameircal Division
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Fortunately many of us Nam vets are approaching the point where we will be exempt. In Florida (or at least the county I live in) once you hit 70 you have a permanent exemption from jury duty.
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It may have, but I believe my being a retired police lieutenant had a much greater part of not being selected.
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They don't like vets because the majority of that have been in a life or death situation have learned to think outside of the goverment box.
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I was selected once since I retired. However at the time the city I live in was a strong military supporter. I have seen a decline in the support, and would agree, we have been places and seen other countries laws and honor the system we have in this fabulous country.
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Not to my knowledge but, then again, I live in a town that strongly supports the military (San Antonio TX).
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Hear that, but Tampa FL is just about the same for supporting military.
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Technically, there is no barrier which prevents an attorney from using their preemptory strike on a person for being military. Several supreme Court cases have created guidelines where preventing someone from being a jury member based on race, religion, and sex are now in place. The model rules of lawyer ethics recently made it a punishable offense for an attorney to discriminate clients, witnesses, or jurymembers based on Age, Sex, Race, Religion, Gender Identity, or Sexual Orientation. However there is still no rules for career based striking of jurors. The voir dire process (the jury selection process) is very much a strategy game that often leaves the striken jurors feeling unjustly unselected, however, the Attorney's main goal is justice and equal protection for their clients.
*Please note, this is not legal advice.
*Please note, this is not legal advice.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Great response. I never felt unjustly unselected, just thought it was amusing that both sides took out red pens almost simultaneously when fact that I had been in military came out. Sure it had to do with type of case after seeing many RP responses.
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