The case was a middle-aged male youth counselor accused of molesting two boys, ages 8 and 9 on a camping trip. Because they anticipated a difficult jury selection process, there were 120 of us in the pool instead of the usual 40. We got a long questionnaire to fill out. The key question was whether or not we would require (in bold face and underlined) scientific proof before voting to convict. During the juror questioning, it came out that there was no scientific evidence to be presented. The case would be based on the testimony of the (alleged) victims and 15 others, all under the age of 10. In-person testimony in the courtroom. I replied honestly that while I would not require scientific evidence (DNA, blood, prints, etc.), I would certainly prefer it . . . and that my belief was that there is a very wide range in the behavior of children of that age, so I'd have to wait and see. "The prosecution thanks and dismisses Juror number 20." Also very very strange to me: the jury pool was 120. Number of African-Americans: zero (and this was in a city with 46% African-American population). Indeed the only Blacks in the courtroom were the judge and the defendant. How can this be? 0 out of 120! Wouldn't that be grounds for a mistrial?
Believe it or not, I've never been called for jury duty. Which is too bad since I can spot a criminal from a mile away.:sgrin:
I am slightly surprised that you were a prosecution dismissal - if that was the only thing they dismissed you for. It is possible that you were dismissed for something else. Sometimes jurors are dismissed not because they are not fit, but because there is someone who is a better fits. In smaller courts the venire is directly questioned front of all the other jurors. Those are always fun. To strike a jury both the prosecution or defense must argue challenge for cause, and the judge must agree. I do not know the State you are in, but many courts' jury selection is randomized from voter or driver's license/ID registrations using technomagic. It would be hard to prove racial bias. If the jury pool was always white for black defendant over a significant number cases even with the population distribution, then you would have something. Defense (or prosecution) definitely can challenge the demographics of the venire.
Perhaps the prosecution was trying to eliminate prospective jurors who sounded like rational decision makers rather than emotional ones?
I've had lawyers tell me before that people with doctorates are generally not selected, because most attorneys would fear you would based your decision too much on facts.
edowave: "'ve had lawyers tell me before that people with doctorates are generally not selected, because most attorneys would fear you would based your decision too much on facts." John: Heaven forbid! But yes, I can see the logic. My wife, with a Ph.D., was on a jury years ago, in a case where Rite-Aid Drugstores was suing a local Hispanic man for stealing a fifty cent toothbrush. His story was that he had a basket full of stuff, and a baby in his arms. When the baby started squirming, he temporarily put the toothbrush he had just picked up in his shirt pocket, and forgot it. He paid at checkout for more than $30 worth of stuff, but forgot the toothbrush. It didn't take a doctorate to decide. "Not guilty" in about 3 minutes. The defendant solemnly walked along the jury box shaking each hand, saying, "Thank you for restoring my honor." Even the security guard who testified against him was near tears.
A 50 cent toothbrush, that's ridiculous. I can't believe Rite-Aid! The spent more on time and money than what the toothbrush was worth.
Well, you can get two made In China toothbrushes at a dollar type store. :smile: I think the toothbrush I use is around $7.99 to $9.99.
1976 Economy President: Gerald R. Ford Vice President: Nelson A. Rockefeller Population: 218,072,164 Life expectancy: 72.9 years Dow-Jones High: 1004 Low: 858 Federal spending: $371.79 billion Federal debt: $629.0 billion Inflation: 8.7% Consumer Price Index: 56.9 Unemployment: 8.5% Prices Cost of a new home: $48,000.00 Cost of a new car: $5,300 Median Household Income: $12,686.00 Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.13 Cost of a gallon of regular gas: $0.59 Cost of a dozen eggs: $0.84 Cost of a gallon of Milk: $1.65 Cost of a tube of toothpaste: $0.59 Cost of a toothbrush: $0.49 Cost of a fast food hamburger: $0.50
One can still get a dozen eggs for $1 and a gallon of milk for $2, just not legally. One might have to mosey over to his buddy's farm and leave a $5 donation in the kitchen jar for the .... the Tommy Flanagan' club, yeah, yeah Tommy Flanagan's club ... yeah, yeah, that's the ticket.. They might just have some spare farm fresh eggs, and a few gallons of milk to keep me company on my way out...
There is a house near me has sort of little mini orange and lemon groves. He put the lemons and oranges out near the street with a sign that says "3 for $1.00". He has this little can where people put the money in. Amazingly, nobody takes the money, and they pay for what they take.
Where I live there are people who do this with eggs. Put them in an old fashioned ice box (with real ice) out by the road. Payment on the honor system. I've never gotten a bad one, always farm fresh.
