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.
Posted in these groups: 
Legal Services
Legal Services
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 257
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No, on my first jury trial, I was selected because I had both veteran and working on my criminal justice degree. The end result was the case being considered mistrial because of overzealous prosecution and a plea bargin was made before we reached the verdict. It went split with me siding with the defendant.
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No it does not. Both sides might have their reasons. I know vets who have been on jury duty and others who have not.
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I've been called 4 times. MY problem is that I had 46 law firms as customers and run into the lawyers at court. Six of my lawyer customers are now judges. One time the judge greeted me with "Hi Bob". I answered "Hi judge, not hi, Theo"
No I don't get to stay.
No I don't get to stay.
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PO2 Robert Cuminale
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen - It cam work against you. I needed an appeal approved and the first judge was an old customer and had to pass it on to another judge who didn't know me.
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Law enforcement is the same way, you'll be gone in the first round... but hey atleast I don't have to worry about jury duty.
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Local courts "prefer" potential jury members to be NEITHER Veterans, Police Officers, Fire Fighters, EMS, Paralegals, or Lawyers. Too tough and B/W on the defendant(s).
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I have served on 2 jury's. The first one was assault on a female. Second was armed robbery. In both cases the person was found guilty. Both times I served as foreman. I was recently called again and when asked if I had served on a jury prior I said yes. They did not select me this time.
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The first time I was in the Jury Box as a potential Juror, the same thing happened to me. However, I have since served on two juries.
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I have been summoned so often, I consider it my secondary occupational specialty. I have only now realized that the only times that I have been empaneled were when I was a civilian between two periods of service. I cannot recall if my veteran status was ever brought up during selection.
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