Does being a veteran keep you from serving on a jury?

I've been called three times for jury duty and all three times we got to the question of what I did in the military ? me: I spent 15 years as a military police officer, them: thank you Mr Miller your services won't be needed

The last time I was called most of us knew a about the case because it had been on the news a lot. Guy gets in argument with girlfriend about drugs and money, one of them has a knife, she ends up stabbed like 20 times. So the defense attorney is asking us if we can keep an open mind about things like how he has a disease (addiction) and this could have affected his perception and judgment and maybe he didn't really mean to stab her 20 times. And I don't think I was able to keep my poker face in place because about .3 seconds later I was the first one out of there. Have me the impression that they're looking for the same type of people you could sell a bridge in Brooklyn to.

I was once called for Jury Duty for a case of assault on a police officer and police brutality was being told to the jury. They asked me if I felt with being a Military Police Officer, would I be able to view the case unbiased, I said "definitely."

I was dismissed on the first round of people being dismissed. I think I was a double threat to both sides because of being a soldier and an MP.

No. I have as a Vet served on 4 jury's in the past 15 years. I was also always selected as jury foreman. They always said they wanted me to be foremen because I would keep everything in order, and by the letter of the law with my training. The only time's I was not selected for a jury was when the case involved Murder, ( 3 different times ) and anything to do with a gun as my background was in Munitions.

Probably had more to do with your jurisdiction and those lawyers than with your status as a veteran.

Being a civilian I believe most vets have a very defined "line in the sand" they are not willing to cross. Things like responsibility for accepting the consequences of one's actions, being loyal to the laws of the country they serve, and to always try to keep the rights of the victims in mind and refusing stupid excuses. I.e.- I was abused, poor, high, mad, expressing my own rights to the detriment of others, etc. Most military family's set a high standard on loyalty, honesty and self-responsibility. IMO- Judges, prosecutors and defense attorney's want minds that are easy to change or sway. Vets don't live with that mind set. So, yes I thing jury duty is trying to rid itself of the moral standards most veterans have. Just MHO.

I'm surprised both sides disqualified you. Logically the element one side objects to, the other side approves of. If the court is looking for a jury of peers, you probably failed at being enough of a dumb-ass to be considered a peer of the defendant.

For a motorcycle theft trial, I was grilled by the defense lawyer about being retired military, and whether I could be fair to his client since I was trained to follow orders. I explained that not only was I not obligated to follow illegal orders, I was obligated to report such unlawful acts. After 20 minutes, he finally accepted me for the trial. In the Jury room, I was immediately elect Jury Foreman because of the way I handle myself.

The first thing I told my fellow jurors is that I found it odd that he grilled me so hard, yet never once asked anyone if they owned a motorcycle, since I owned 34 bikes at the time. There were no deliberations: Guilty by unanimous vote on the first poll. Stupid lawyer.

I was selected for jury duty and served as the Jury Foreman (voted on by the rest of the jury) it was a great honor. I did so with pride and did not want to duck out of jury duty as a lot of ppl do. I did not want any of these ppl that made up excuses to get out of JD making legal or moral decisions on what was allowed in my community. Listen to the facts and respond accordingly based on the direction of the Judge. There were other jurors that didn't want to convict because they didn't want the guy to go to jail. NOT our role.. our role was to determine guilt or innocence. not what the punishment was. The guy was convicted of Rape and imprisonment. I was the only juror to show up for sentencing and it turns out it was not his first time.

I was called for jury duty, and went to the court house for selection. In the first round, each potential juror was called by number and questioned. When it came my turn, I stood up to address the attorneys and the judge. I was the only one who did so. The judge asked if I had served in the military, and I said that I had. The next question was, "How long did you serve?" I heard a gasp when I answered, "Thirty-six years, your honor." She thanked me for serving and called the next potential juror. After we filed out, I was told that I had been dismissed. Never did get an explanation as to WHY I was dismissed...