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Jury Selection Reform

Sat, 05/26/2007 - 8:17am — stevenl

I have been called for jury selection a couple times out here in Grays Harbor County. They herd a group of us into the same room where the defendants of the Centralia Massacre case were tried in 1920 and we watch a very old videotape of Raymond Burr educating us on the role of the jury in our judicial process. I was not picked in either case. The fact that I came dressed like Batman's nemesis, the Joker (complete with facepaint and wig), might've had something to do with it.

Anyway, the thought crosses my mind that all this selection time and effort could be streamlined if jurors were selected just on the basis of astrological sign. This could be accomplished in two different ways. First, there are 12 jurors, and there are 12 signs of the Zodiac. Just fill each slot with a person from each sign and, according to astrology, you'll have a well rounded jury representing all human personality types. Or. A true jury of the defendant's peers would share the same sign as the accused. Hmm. 12 Scorpios in one confined room. Maybe not a good idea. Go back to using all 12 signs.

Comments

Fri, 06/15/2007 - 9:48pm — stevenl

Update

So shortly after posting this I get a, yes, jury selection summons from Grays Harbor Superior Court for the month of July!? This must be my 4th or 5th time, although I only had to show up twice. Hmm, what an interesting coincidence. Anyway, I still maintain that my astrological scheme is no less strange than forcing us to watch an ancient video starring a dead Canadian actor. I drew a comic, by the way, about Raymond Burr. He was buried alive in a cryogenic chamber in someone's backyard until they found a cure for over-acting. Maybe I'll post it someday.
Sun, 07/22/2007 - 8:55am — stevenl

Saved

The didn't want me-- at least this time. I have saved been from the rerun ordeal of watching Raymond Burr.

You legal types out there need to change the jury selection system to my astrological sign idea. It is more impartial, fair, and would save thousands of taxpayer dollars.

Sun, 07/22/2007 - 9:52am — Merwyn Haskett

I've been on juries in

I've been on juries in Thurston and Mason counties. Neither time did we have to watch any video. In Thurston I remember it was a long day of answering questions. In Mason they merely said "Who thinks he's probably guilty" and those of us who raised our hand got to be in the jury. We found him guilty.

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I wonder if anyone's going to think I'm being serious.

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Sleep, William Blake/All is well/There's a marriage up in heaven tonight/There's a fire in hell
Daniel Amos

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Red meat is NOT bad for you. Now blue-green meat, THAT'S bad for you!
Tommy Smothers
Fri, 05/23/2008 - 6:23am — stevenl

Once again

Grays Harbor County has plucked out my name for jury selection. What? Do we only have 200 registered voters out here? Why am I selected at least once a year? I've lost count how many times this has happened. I am civic-minded, but this is getting old.

Tue, 06/03/2008 - 5:14pm — stevenl

Junebug

So I was called for selection, for the second time within a year. This time I actually made it to the selection process. 60 were called but only 23 of us showed up. They showed us a new updated video, this one produced by DIS and much better than Burr. The attorneys asked many questions for quite some time and then huddled. They chose 11 people and the Judge had to go and round up the other potential jurors who didn't show. This is the third time I have been rejected by this court. Apparently, having only 11 with a vacancy is better than having me.

I think it had something to do with the frog who has grown out of the top of my head and speaks his opinionated mind about everything. Although I never said a word, the frog volunteered all sorts of obscene things. Perhaps that is why I was not chosen.

Also I had come to the point of feeling like the Raymond Burr video was now familiar enough for me to include in a Cheaper by the Dozen video review. But that little bit of frosting was denied. 

Now, can stevenl make it to June 2009 without being called for jury duty again? Step right up and place your bets. 

Tue, 06/03/2008 - 8:30pm — The Original Yoda

Hey...

...I've seen that same video with Raymond Burr. It was produced locally...in the 80's, I think. 

Many are called...etc.

Tue, 06/03/2008 - 8:51pm — stevenl

Since 1987

... according to the DIS website. That means the thing was in use for nearly two decades!

I still think my astrological sign idea is the way to go.

Tue, 06/03/2008 - 9:00pm — The Original Yoda

At least you'd be assured...

...that you would be on jury duty with only one Gemini. Oh, sorry...is that astrologicalist? Or zodiacalalist?...of me to say?
Thu, 06/05/2008 - 7:38am — Mike

I think there is a plan to update the Burr video

with something a little more current.  Budget is reported to be tight, so William Shatner appears likely to be principal.  I think Shatner is a great choice, he can over-act circles around Raymond Burr.  Joe Pesci was not available within the reported budget.  

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"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed." President Dwight D. Eisenhower April 16, 195