Posted on Aug 30, 2016
Does being a veteran keep you from serving on a jury?
125K
1.96K
477
95
95
0
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.
Posted in these groups: 
Legal Services
Legal Services
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 257
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Sir, in my case, my conservative views are probably the biggest reason why I am not selected.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
SGT Eric Knutson
Correct CSM, but I think it would also depend on the jurisdiction and the bias of the lawyers (I understand they have their job to do, but in my opinion on of Gods more useless creatures). But as many have said here, our BS meters actually work most of the time. I think that they really try to stay away from the ground combat vets because we are mentally geared to mission accomplishment with little to no sympathy for those who try to get over on others (unless the others are the enemy). I was talking to a Col here who was called and the entire pool turned out to be Vets. the lawyers tried, but the judge was also a Vet and told them to suck it up since the Defendant was also a vet, the pool actually did make up a "jury of his peers"
(1)
(0)
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Hey, great story. I'd have loved to see all those lawyers squirming. Consensus with RP members seems to be that our BS meters are something lawyers don't want to deal with given a choice.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
You didn't say what the perp was up for, but if it was a vet, they most certainly wouldn't want you. Otherwise, I agree with the general consensus: we're not going to be swayed by theatrical sob stories.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
0
0
0
I was called for jury duty and was questioned concerning my familiarity with police for one criminal case. I told the judge I was named after a police officer, that many of my friends were police officers, and that three of my nephews were LEO's. Disqualified for cause.
Then I was questioned for a medical malpractice case. My friendship with a pharmacist, employment at a medical school, and two nurses in the family disqualified me from that case.
There were no questions about military service, and unless such service had some possible reason to suspect bias toward one side or another, it should never have been a matter of concern.
Then I was questioned for a medical malpractice case. My friendship with a pharmacist, employment at a medical school, and two nurses in the family disqualified me from that case.
There were no questions about military service, and unless such service had some possible reason to suspect bias toward one side or another, it should never have been a matter of concern.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen it might have a tie to case specifics. Just worked in your favor. Usually the “do you know anyone in law enforcement” is a bullet train to the parking lot with your ticket validated.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I recently went to jury selection and was asked if I was a veteran. After answering "Yes Sir", they simply smiled as if watching a kid do something silly and stupid. Three minutes later, I was walking to my truck in order to enjoy the rest of the day off work. So, with this said, my question is, what if I had lied? I had not raised my right hand yet. I was under no oath. Don't take this as one who is a desperate juror. Just a thought. Think about the things attorneys are willing to say to get a win, regardless of whether it's the defense or the prosecutor. And NO! I would never actually lie in court.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I've never had it happened to me-in fact as an ex Police Officer I would often get disqualified but within the last few years have been called and served on a jury in spite of this.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I have been called 3 times. Each time was right before I deployed. I retired in 2010 have not heard anything from them.
(0)
(0)
SGT John Kristjansson
If you haven't been called, it's probably just luck of the draw. You might want to verify your voter registration and make sure that your court clerk doesn't have you listed on a special roster, just in case.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
It didn't stop me from being called to jury duty. John - what did stop them...cold in their tracks, was my reply to a question that I qualified my answer by starting out by saying "As a retired military Chief Warrant Officer and retired Federal Law Enforcement Officer..." The issue was did I think that a LEO should be taken at his word, that LEOs don't make mistakes. My reply was that of course (we) LEOS can make mistakes; and that I could fairly evaluate the officer's statements based on the possibility of a mistake.
It was fairly easy to figure out both the prosecution's and defense's plan of attack. The defense was going with "self-defense" and a LEO making a mistake while the prosecution was going with illegal possession of a firearm and using a firearm when not authorized to carry a gun in the first place.
I was not asked to sit on the jury!
It was fairly easy to figure out both the prosecution's and defense's plan of attack. The defense was going with "self-defense" and a LEO making a mistake while the prosecution was going with illegal possession of a firearm and using a firearm when not authorized to carry a gun in the first place.
I was not asked to sit on the jury!
(0)
(0)
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Ya, guess that's the whole purpose of them questioning prospective jurors. Each side has in mind what they want, and from most of the responses to my question, where possible, most lawyers would prefer not to have people with military backgrounds.
(0)
(0)
SSG Mark Franzen
I have relatives that are cops judges and lawyers I never have to go on Jury duty.
SSG MARK FRANZEN
USA VET
SSG MARK FRANZEN
USA VET
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google