My experiences as a juror in a self defense case.......

24 June 2013, 21:58

Judge Jerry

Gatogordo,
You are 100% right on the "rope" comment. The lessor level is"keep'm in jail until they either quit or move from the judicial district". Amazing how fast word gets around and crime levels drop in our part of the state. All of a sudden Boise and Salt Lake City become desired locations.

26 June 2013, 21:20

7x7royal

Gatogordo, first thanks for doing your civic duty, as all too many juries are made up of complete dolts (see OJ and wait for Zimmerman if you doubt that !)

Just guessing, but it sounds like a bunch of white trailer park inbred trash acted like white trailer park inbred trash often do.

At least two have been removed from the gene pool ...... a small victory. But we still have at least 100,000,000 people that contribute nothing to the Republic.

Again, thanks for your service !

27 June 2013, 02:28

Norton

Gato....thanks for the lengthy write-up offering a glimpse into the details of a trial and a semi-satisfying outcome (meaning I wouldn't be satisfied if he serves 5 years of a 20 year sentence for paralyzing someone).

12 August 2013, 22:18

Wanderer

I appreciate the insight into the process. Thank you very much for the information and your service on the jury.

13 August 2013, 05:57

dogcat

My grandad was a Supreme Court judge in an eastern state. He always told me that juries usually did the right thing and he rarely had one come up completely wrong. Sounds like you got it right.

15 August 2013, 09:24

lavaca

As a lawyer, although not a criminal lawyer, I always find it fascinating to hear what actually goes on in the jury room. Gato, thanks for the insight. I won't comment further as it may come back to bite me.

16 August 2013, 02:04

N E 450 No2

In a Criminal case in Texas the Defendant has two seperate choices he/she can make.

First you have the right to a Jury trial, or you can be Tried before the court, ie no jury just the Judge.

Then IF you are found guilty you can "go" to the Jury for the sentence, or "go" to the Judge for the sentence.

The Trial phase And the Sentencing phase are actually two seperate things, and as Gatagoro indicated, some things can be brought before the Court durring the sentencing phase, that cannot be admitted durring trial, such as prior convictions, arrests, and character references, both good and bad.

Also sometimes the "injured" party or their friends and famly can testify durring the Penalty/sentencing phase as well.

24 August 2013, 19:35

Edmond

Thanks a lot for making a poo' old furiner discover in details how it works in USA with such an extensive and interesting narration.

I got a good laugh with the "rope" comment. Only in America )))

24 August 2013, 20:39

Gatogordo

quote:
Originally posted by Edmond:
Thanks a lot for making a poo' old furiner discover in details how it works in USA with such an extensive and interesting narration.

I got a good laugh with the "rope" comment. Only in America )))

The usage of ropes came from our frontier heritage. It was discovered very early on that guillotines were so unhandy to carry around.

xxxxxxxxxx
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NEVER, EVER book a hunt with BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING or JEFF BLAIR.

I have come to understand that in hunting, the goal is not the goal but the process.

25 August 2013, 03:08

Edmond

Guillotine was introduced as a mass execution mean to speed up the work during the French Revolution..That was really a bloody period..

The rope was the most common way as well, we had enough old trees everywhere..

26 August 2013, 10:32

RyanB

quote:
Originally posted by enfieldspares:
That was most interesting and thanks for posting it.

You may not know that here in Britland whilst we, too have juries, which we gave to the USA, things aren't quite the same.

1) The jury is never allowed to disclose what went on in their deliberations. Even when the case is long over and done and finished.

2) The jury can ask questions of witnesses etc., during the trial, although this is, actually not encouraged.

3) The jury is there, to paraphrase what a judge will say, "Only to decide on the matter of guilt it being for me (the judge) to decide on the sentence should you, the jury, convict the defendant..."

Again thanks for sharing your experience. Do you get paid for this, as in loss of earnings, as jury members do here in Britland?

WRT #2 and #3, in a very small number of places in the US the jury can question witnesses (Jodi Arias in AZ comes to mind) and who handles sentencing can be a matter for for either the judge or the jury, depending on the jurisdiction, except that a death sentence must be handed down by a jury.