The right to a trial by jury is guaranteed by our 6th amendment to the Constitution. My experience this week was enormously disheartening and insightful. During what was a nearly a 3-hour voir dire with 50 possible jurors I watched individuals remove themselves from eligibility. Nearly a third harbored resentments against law enforcement and the prosecutorial side due to personal experiences or experiences of someone they know. Another third supported the prosecutorial side. However, this group held strong biases against the defense side for any number of reasons. Most of the biases seem to be attached to believing defense attorneys are the reason for revolving doors for criminals. That left the last 3rd. Some, would be under definite financial hardship. The $15 per diem that was being paid 25 years ago will hardly cover lunch today. Others were just miffed at being inconvenienced, having to delay a driving vacation by a few hours, concerned about the work that was going to pile up on their desk for a few days or the clients who wouldnt be able to get their hair done. And the list goes on. I found myself wondering if these same people were offered a one-week cruise, would they be equally inconvenienced? Our judicial system is like a stool with 3-legs, defense, prosecution and jury. And like a stool, all legs hold equal importance and must be maintained for our legal system to have balance. The prosecution and defense are doing their part. Jury duty shouldnt be an inconvenience. Its a civic honor and responsibility we all have to maintain our leg of the legal system. Anything less, and those few who are willing to serve 1-5 days every 2 to 3 years will uniquely hold responsibility for securing the 6th amendment for us all. In doing so, we surrender our right to complain because if were not willing to be part of the solution, we are part of the problem.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 05:37:58 +0000
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