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DEL.ICIO.USJury foreman laments a grueling mistrial
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Cobb County resident writes about his experience with jury duty as foreman on a traffic accident and personal injury case. The state court judge indicated that the trial would likely last three days, but that became longer because the deliberations deadlocked as members remained entrenched in their positions. The judge declared a mistrial.
The foreman reflects: “I feel miserable at my own performance. I failed myself and my fellow jurors by not being able to mediate some sort of agreement. I failed [the judge], who had charged us with reaching a conclusion. I failed the defendant and the plaintiff for the same reasons. And I failed the citizens of the county in that this will now become more of a cost burden on our society at a time when austerity is more needed than ever.
“My failure means there will likely be another frivolous suit tried, more costs for the court, and higher premiums on our auto insurance.”
What were your feelings after serving on a jury? Did you feel as if you had failed, or were you satisfied that the right verdict had been reached?
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By "The Corporal"
July 30, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
I have never served on a jury. Why? Because I spent a career in law enforcement and I was ALWAYS struck by the defense. Basically, the defense wants knuckleheads who can be manipulated - not someone who can intelligently make a decision based on the evidence. Remember - a “jury of your peers” originally meant people in the community who knew you.
Civil juries are not much different than criminal ones. It would be so interesting to meet the people who served with him on that jury. I bet they were “priceless”. The bottom line is that this Cobb County resident did not fail the system - the system is broken and failing us. Just look at the Nichols debacle.
“When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.” Eccl. 8:11
By The Love Hack
July 30, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
60 Minutes often shows a jury where some members vote the wrong way in spite of the evidence.
That’s how people get away with murder. A jury just wont convict them.