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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They figured they couldn't use emotion to "win" your vote, and doing it just with facts is a lot more work. I think I got rejected the last time I was empaneled too, for much the same reason, although they didn't know I am former military, but I don't think the defense attorney liked my answers to some questions, and the prosecuting attorney may not have liked others.
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I told them the MEDS I use preclude effective, cognizance before the hour of 10:00 am...THAT was it and they stopped bothering me...
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It did the same for me bro. I didnt even make it to the Court room cuz i got axed before that was necessary lmao
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No, the attorney's saw you as a threat for their client. Because veterans know how to follow laws and have integrity, they thought you would "lead" the jury to a guilty verdict. That's why attorneys can "select" jurors.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Yes, but both prosecution and defense lawyers marked me in red at same time.
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SFC Charles Pearce
Really? Maybe they were both intimidated. Sorry for the delay, I have been swamped trying to open a whiskey distilleryLt Col John (Jack) Christensen -
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TSgt Denise Moody
It depends on the case, the attorney's, the defendant, and how the juror comes across. Being a veteran will affect some of that but not all of it. What attorney's want is someone they think they can convince, sway. If you're rigid neither side wants you. Can you apply the law, whether you agree with it or not, more important. And yes I was not selected for two juries. Once by the defense for who knows why because they hadn't asked me any questions just looked an me an I was gone. Once by the prosecution, most likely because of my not agreeing with the drug laws. And one trial I got on. Don't know why the prosecutor didn't kick me...but the defense accepted me because I was a veteran and didn't think officers walk on water.
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It shouldn't. But I was on a jury in the last century, before the current "politically correct" movement.
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I was excused because the effect of the pills I take for sleeping leaves me somewhat impaired when it comes to short retention,in the morning.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Makes sense given one of the very early questions to us concerned medications we were on.
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