Thread: Arrrg the Summons

Well I just got a letter from the Ministry of the Attorney General Sheriff's office. If you haven't guess I've been selected for jury duty (oh lucky me). Now I know that its my civil duty, but what a pain in the a$$. You only get payed for it if you are there for more than 11days (this part really sucks) a hole $40 a day. Because I'm self employed this could be a real kick in the pants and more so in the wallet.
I'm going to try to lock this bastard up for this (if he's looking guilty)

Arrrg

Colin

I understand your frustration. However, the movie "Twelve Angry Men" although of course, fictional, was a sober reminder to me that a lot of people's lives (not just the defendant) are affected by a jury decision.

I hope I never have to face a trial, but that if I should, the jury would do their civic duty as best they could.

Originally Posted by TrilliumLT

I'm going to try to lock this bastard up for this (if he's looking guilty)

relay that in court and I bet you will not have to go through with it

i've been called a couple of times, and i'm due again, and they were both civil trials. you know, they never go the way the plaintiff wants. people bring a suit and then think the jury is going to give them a payday for life. and one tip for anyone bringing a suit, don't act as your own attorney. one of the trials had this fat beanhead acting as his own attorney and it stretched a trial that could have been over in an afternoon into three days. we all got into the jury room, took a deep breath and looked at each other and then savaged the guy. when the dust settled he was found at fault, but we would have locked him up if we only had those first 30 seconds to reach a decision.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

relay that in court and I bet you will not have to go through with it

I mean that if he seems to be guilty. Not the Look of him.

Originally Posted by TrilliumLT

I mean that if he seems to be guilty. Not the Look of him.

I've never been called to jury duty that I can remember

I got called for jury duty a few years ago and was excused. This is how it went:

DA: Can you reach a reasonable verdict in this case?

Me: No.

DA: Why not?

Me: He's guilty.

DA: How would you know that?

Me: The DA's running for reelection and wouldn't prosecute a case he's not going to win. I imagine there's enough on this guy to send him up twice.

Judge: You're excused, sir.

Interesting. Afaik, civil suits do not appear for a Jury in Belgium.
Only serious crime does. All the rest comes before a judge, in the applicable court. The judge then makes a ruling based on evidence and the law.

Juries would not make much of a difference in civil cases, at least not here. You can't win the jackpot in court, American style, because penalties are calculated based on actual damage, and not based on the emotional distress of finding a fly in a portion of freeze dried soup.

Additionally, laws are fairly specific so either it applies or not, whereas in the US, laws are fairly ambiguous and you need to argue for precedent and case law to apply or not.

Originally Posted by GeauxLSU

I got called for jury duty a few years ago and was excused. This is how it went:

DA: Can you reach a reasonable verdict in this case?

Me: No.

DA: Why not?

Me: He's guilty.

DA: How would you know that?

Me: The DA's running for reelection and wouldn't prosecute a case he's not going to win. I imagine there's enough on this guy to send him up twice.

Judge: You're excused, sir.

This made my laugh be heard by the guy in the office next to me.

I know it is a complete pita. However, in my experience the selection process pulls people from all walks of life. It make for a chance to meet some interesting folks you might not ever meet in your normal day to day. Good luck.