Who do I see? The COP from the trial!!!!! I was at the check out and he was by the exit; I'm pretty sure he saw me, because he was talking to someone and they were both kinda facing the check outs and then he turned away as I was walking towards him. Could have been a coincidence (him turning) but I was like, what are the odds that I'd see him again...and so soon? I wanted to ask him what the results were but I figured it was best to just let it go.
And this morning, I checked the state's Judicial Branch website and it says VERDICT FOR DEFENDANT. Whoo hoo!!!!!!! Very happy to hear that, and that's how I would have voted/ruled/whatever had I been on the real jury.
I just wonder what was going on in that jury room after I left...how the deliberations went down, if it was clear-cut, if people had to "coerce" others, etc. The other alternate and I discussed things and we came to our agreement pretty quickly. When you looked at the charges that the plaintiff was allegedly saying that the defendant did, it was a pretty weak case. There might have been some discrepancies as to the information on hand, but when it came down to the charge of malice or intent, there wasn't any of that. I still believe that the cop was doing his duty when he found the plaintiff might have been violating his parole. The end.
Showing posts with label jury duty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jury duty. Show all posts
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Whoops
Forgot to say what the case was about!
It was a civil case--this guy, who had been arrested while out on parole, was suing a police officer from his town. The plaintiff was claiming that the arrest was done maliciously and it caused him to be improperly imprisoned for an additional year (he'd gone back to jail only FOUR MONTHS after being out after 8 yrs). He was claiming that his civil rights were violated, etc. First off, the cop didn't even arrest this guy. All he did was call the man's parole officer, letting him know he'd violated the conditions of parole.
Had I been able to deliberate, I would have sided with the cop. The cop had taken a complaint by the man's ex-wife, who saw the guy walking down her street, when the guy was told, BY HIS PAROLE OFFICER, NOT TO GO DOWN HIS WIFE'S STREET OR ANYWHERE NEAR HER. Those were some of the conditions of his parole. She saw him go by like 6-8 times, and he did call her once (another violation)--she was willing to let all of this go, not a big deal...but around Christmas time that year (this was a few yrs ago) she got this cryptic Christmas card and went to the cops. She thought it was from her ex-husband and had enough of his antics.
Her going to the police led the officer to call the PO, who then decided to arrest the man. NOT the cop. The cop did later charge the man with some offenses, but the real reason he went back to prison was because he violated his parole. He did NOT follow instructions. He was really cocky on the stand too. The defendant's attorney said that he was a control freak and that he didn't like being told not to do XYZ and he thought he'd get away with it. There was definitely a jilted lover vibe--the plaintiff, years ago, had shot the man with whom his wife was having an affair. Right in front of her as the two lovers were leaving work. The guy was hurt pretty badly too.
I'm not sure from where the Christmas originated, but come on, if you are terrified of your ex and he's recently out of jail, then you see him walking by, he calls, and then you get a creepy card...you can pretty much assume that it's from him, and you're scared that you might be hurt next...so you go to the cops. The cop was doing his job, to protect the public...and there was some documentation about a protective order against the victims. So he did what he thought, at the time, was the right thing and called the PO. The cop might have been a bit mixed up--some of the information we heard in court was contradictory--was it a court order protective order? Was it NOT court ordered? Was that the correct name of the person? etc.
So yeah, that's what went down. I'm so curious as to how my fellow jurors decided!!!!
It was a civil case--this guy, who had been arrested while out on parole, was suing a police officer from his town. The plaintiff was claiming that the arrest was done maliciously and it caused him to be improperly imprisoned for an additional year (he'd gone back to jail only FOUR MONTHS after being out after 8 yrs). He was claiming that his civil rights were violated, etc. First off, the cop didn't even arrest this guy. All he did was call the man's parole officer, letting him know he'd violated the conditions of parole.
Had I been able to deliberate, I would have sided with the cop. The cop had taken a complaint by the man's ex-wife, who saw the guy walking down her street, when the guy was told, BY HIS PAROLE OFFICER, NOT TO GO DOWN HIS WIFE'S STREET OR ANYWHERE NEAR HER. Those were some of the conditions of his parole. She saw him go by like 6-8 times, and he did call her once (another violation)--she was willing to let all of this go, not a big deal...but around Christmas time that year (this was a few yrs ago) she got this cryptic Christmas card and went to the cops. She thought it was from her ex-husband and had enough of his antics.
Her going to the police led the officer to call the PO, who then decided to arrest the man. NOT the cop. The cop did later charge the man with some offenses, but the real reason he went back to prison was because he violated his parole. He did NOT follow instructions. He was really cocky on the stand too. The defendant's attorney said that he was a control freak and that he didn't like being told not to do XYZ and he thought he'd get away with it. There was definitely a jilted lover vibe--the plaintiff, years ago, had shot the man with whom his wife was having an affair. Right in front of her as the two lovers were leaving work. The guy was hurt pretty badly too.
I'm not sure from where the Christmas originated, but come on, if you are terrified of your ex and he's recently out of jail, then you see him walking by, he calls, and then you get a creepy card...you can pretty much assume that it's from him, and you're scared that you might be hurt next...so you go to the cops. The cop was doing his job, to protect the public...and there was some documentation about a protective order against the victims. So he did what he thought, at the time, was the right thing and called the PO. The cop might have been a bit mixed up--some of the information we heard in court was contradictory--was it a court order protective order? Was it NOT court ordered? Was that the correct name of the person? etc.
So yeah, that's what went down. I'm so curious as to how my fellow jurors decided!!!!
jury duty is over...
...and now I can talk about it! :-)
First off, I'm a little sad that it's over. I met some nice people...even the judge was nice, and then it's over *poof!* just like that. As an alternate, I had to leave pretty quickly and didn't really get to say goodbye to anyone. The other alternate and I left together and talked about the case. We felt similarly in how we viewed the plaintiff and the defendant, AND we were both a little upset that we couldn't stay until the end. What was cool, however, was that the other guy and I were brought into the courtroom so that the judge could excuse us and thank us for our service. He said something about how the system is set up and how it frustrates him, because he knew how much we gave (paying attention, being there, etc). I was smiling, because I felt the same way.
What made me feel good, and this is going to sound weird, but they wanted me. The lawyers and the judge, I mean. One of the attorneys made careful note of where I went to college, even said something like, "oh so you're a [insert mascot here]?" and he also drew attention to the fact that I have a lot of schooling. He acknowledged my intelligence, which is something very few people do.
I mean, I know I'm smart/intelligent, so does DH, my family, my friends...but when a stranger can tell that from just meeting you for a few moments, it gives you a great feeling. I value my education highly and sometimes, especially at work, I don't feel like much credit is given to those with a college education. I know it's business and they really don't give a shit, but I did work hard and loved learning things. I still do, so that's probably why I enjoyed jury duty so much. It was a glimpse into another world. A chance for me to learn something new, to see something different.
But now I want more. More of what, though? I don't know, exactly. I almost feel like going back to school now (yes, again).
First off, I'm a little sad that it's over. I met some nice people...even the judge was nice, and then it's over *poof!* just like that. As an alternate, I had to leave pretty quickly and didn't really get to say goodbye to anyone. The other alternate and I left together and talked about the case. We felt similarly in how we viewed the plaintiff and the defendant, AND we were both a little upset that we couldn't stay until the end. What was cool, however, was that the other guy and I were brought into the courtroom so that the judge could excuse us and thank us for our service. He said something about how the system is set up and how it frustrates him, because he knew how much we gave (paying attention, being there, etc). I was smiling, because I felt the same way.
What made me feel good, and this is going to sound weird, but they wanted me. The lawyers and the judge, I mean. One of the attorneys made careful note of where I went to college, even said something like, "oh so you're a [insert mascot here]?" and he also drew attention to the fact that I have a lot of schooling. He acknowledged my intelligence, which is something very few people do.
I mean, I know I'm smart/intelligent, so does DH, my family, my friends...but when a stranger can tell that from just meeting you for a few moments, it gives you a great feeling. I value my education highly and sometimes, especially at work, I don't feel like much credit is given to those with a college education. I know it's business and they really don't give a shit, but I did work hard and loved learning things. I still do, so that's probably why I enjoyed jury duty so much. It was a glimpse into another world. A chance for me to learn something new, to see something different.
But now I want more. More of what, though? I don't know, exactly. I almost feel like going back to school now (yes, again).
Friday, November 14, 2008
Jury Duty
Some of you already know this...but yesterday I had jury duty. Annnnnnd I was selected for a jury which begins today. So I will be out of work through the middle of next week (should be a 4 or 5 day civil trial). My boss is not pleased, but what can I do? If I don't show up, I could be away from worker longer...as in arrested and charged with contempt of court. Not good! I'm trying to stay on top of things as much as I can at night and over this weekend, but we'll see. DH thinks I'm crazy for doing work at night/weekends but this is my job. I can't just be like "oh well, whatever." And, it's not as if my boss does my stuff while I'm gone. So whatever isn't done...literally doesn't get done. But I think that DH should go in my place--he's not working! Ironic.
Part of me is pleased that I was picked...I think it'll be an interesting learning experience. I'm a dork! DH said that I got picked because I'm smart and well-educated. Um, and too honest! Catholic guilt or what? ;-)
Must be a family thing, because my mom was picked awhile back, but didn't have to serve--the case settled out of court at the 11th hour. As I need to be at court in less than 2 hours, I'm thinking the trial is ON like Donkey Kong.
This is funny to me and other local people, but when I entered the courtroom and saw the defendant's attorney, I wanted to laugh. He's a well-known lawyer who does a lot of high-profile cases. So well-known that when I said that exact phrase to my psychologist last night, she said his name immediately. Since we were in the confidentiality of a therapy appointment, I said yes. Hahahaha.
I will be back later to chronicle my first day on the jury.
Part of me is pleased that I was picked...I think it'll be an interesting learning experience. I'm a dork! DH said that I got picked because I'm smart and well-educated. Um, and too honest! Catholic guilt or what? ;-)
Must be a family thing, because my mom was picked awhile back, but didn't have to serve--the case settled out of court at the 11th hour. As I need to be at court in less than 2 hours, I'm thinking the trial is ON like Donkey Kong.
This is funny to me and other local people, but when I entered the courtroom and saw the defendant's attorney, I wanted to laugh. He's a well-known lawyer who does a lot of high-profile cases. So well-known that when I said that exact phrase to my psychologist last night, she said his name immediately. Since we were in the confidentiality of a therapy appointment, I said yes. Hahahaha.
I will be back later to chronicle my first day on the jury.
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