General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I've never served on a jury. Have you? [View all]hlthe2b
(102,502 posts)get excluded routinely and I meet multiple criteria. I came close in a murder trial, but when I honestly answered as to what constitutes "self-defense," basically wiping out the defense plan to claim a person who fought with an elderly neighbor then went home only to immediately return with his AR-15 to kill him had actually only "defended himself." that was that. I had no idea what the case was, that it was a murder trial or any facts whatsoever, but my answer to the question apparently blew up the case. Not only did I get booted in that voir dire, but the judge had to call a mistrial for the defendant to get new counsel, given the rest of the potential jury heard my response to the question. Honestly, I hadn't even been asked about general gun views but thought I was only answering the obvious--that self-defense implies an IMMINENT threat.
So, no. I routinely get called for both local trials and even Federal jury duty, but have never completed the process and been named to the jury. Usually, I get eliminated based on the routine questions asked about background, profession, and education.
Federal trials are so often civil financial-- complicated, long, and beyond boring, thatI am glad I've never been selected for those.