OT: Jury Duty! Help!

[dharmagirl]

Thanks, PD.

She wasnt even resisting arrest. She was minding her own business, on the phone with me asking my advice about one of her cleints, in her own home.

I think her reaction was very primal – “my personal space is being attacked!” They live in an area (very close to D.C.) where people pretend to be cops to break into homes, or pull over young women to attack them. So, I can see why she panicked.

It has been hard to stand by and both see/hear how this has affected Linda. She truly is NOT the same bubbly, spontaneous, fun-loving person that she was before this incident. For several months, she was kind of a zombie. She would call me in tears and say, “If I’m a convicted felon I’ll lose my passport, right? My right to vote?” It has been sad.

One day you are happily living your life as a productive, law-abiding citizen, and the next day you’re charged with a felony. WTF…

As I said, she’s really spun up about having to explain the charge to this firm in NYC (and any other prospective employers). I’ve told her that she just has to hope that someone will realize she’s 38 years old and has never had a blemish on her record – until this. I’ve also told her to just be honest about what happened. It’s such a bizarre story – I cant imagine someone not having compassion.

The ironic thing is that the ‘investigation’ was dropped against her husband. So, she was kinda caught in the crossfire.

This has actually made me lose faith in the system.

Although you sound like a good guy, PD. The world needs more of you.

[scaredyclassic]

Of course, it’s possible she could’ve lost the case. If you believe the police are always telling the truth and anyone charged witha c rime would necessarily lie to save their skin, you might find her guilty. maybe the jury would think that the police did find something in the house and that the evidence was suppressed and they’re not getting the whole story and she’s really some sort of heinous something-or-other, because the police wouldnt really do all this with no reason, right? Maybe the jury won’t care whether there was anything in the house and will simply think you need to immediately submit to any police order, no matter how unreasonable or whether or not you were sure they were police. maybe the jury will think, hey, if we don’t convict, she’ll sue, and we’ll end up paying for it. of course, the polcie do this every single day in every single county, but it’s usually just some minority kids, so, whatever…it’s not like it’s white people with careers or anything…what’s the big deal…

On the good side, misdemeanor convictions ar every common nowadays and not necessarily so bizarre to an exmployer. It might help to write short letter with an polcie report so she doens’t have to explain it extemporaneously.

being charged with a crime is pretty darn stressful. her having pled guilty would not be a good fact for a subsequent lawsuit against the police.

Drink Heavily.

[scaredyclassic]

Of course, it’s possible she could’ve lost the case. If you believe the police are always telling the truth and anyone charged witha c rime would necessarily lie to save their skin, you might find her guilty. maybe the jury would think that the police did find something in the house and that the evidence was suppressed and they’re not getting the whole story and she’s really some sort of heinous something-or-other, because the police wouldnt really do all this with no reason, right? Maybe the jury won’t care whether there was anything in the house and will simply think you need to immediately submit to any police order, no matter how unreasonable or whether or not you were sure they were police. maybe the jury will think, hey, if we don’t convict, she’ll sue, and we’ll end up paying for it. of course, the polcie do this every single day in every single county, but it’s usually just some minority kids, so, whatever…it’s not like it’s white people with careers or anything…what’s the big deal…

On the good side, misdemeanor convictions ar every common nowadays and not necessarily so bizarre to an exmployer. It might help to write short letter with an polcie report so she doens’t have to explain it extemporaneously.

being charged with a crime is pretty darn stressful. her having pled guilty would not be a good fact for a subsequent lawsuit against the police.

Drink Heavily.

[scaredyclassic]

Of course, it’s possible she could’ve lost the case. If you believe the police are always telling the truth and anyone charged witha c rime would necessarily lie to save their skin, you might find her guilty. maybe the jury would think that the police did find something in the house and that the evidence was suppressed and they’re not getting the whole story and she’s really some sort of heinous something-or-other, because the police wouldnt really do all this with no reason, right? Maybe the jury won’t care whether there was anything in the house and will simply think you need to immediately submit to any police order, no matter how unreasonable or whether or not you were sure they were police. maybe the jury will think, hey, if we don’t convict, she’ll sue, and we’ll end up paying for it. of course, the polcie do this every single day in every single county, but it’s usually just some minority kids, so, whatever…it’s not like it’s white people with careers or anything…what’s the big deal…

On the good side, misdemeanor convictions ar every common nowadays and not necessarily so bizarre to an exmployer. It might help to write short letter with an polcie report so she doens’t have to explain it extemporaneously.

being charged with a crime is pretty darn stressful. her having pled guilty would not be a good fact for a subsequent lawsuit against the police.

Drink Heavily.

[scaredyclassic]

Of course, it’s possible she could’ve lost the case. If you believe the police are always telling the truth and anyone charged witha c rime would necessarily lie to save their skin, you might find her guilty. maybe the jury would think that the police did find something in the house and that the evidence was suppressed and they’re not getting the whole story and she’s really some sort of heinous something-or-other, because the police wouldnt really do all this with no reason, right? Maybe the jury won’t care whether there was anything in the house and will simply think you need to immediately submit to any police order, no matter how unreasonable or whether or not you were sure they were police. maybe the jury will think, hey, if we don’t convict, she’ll sue, and we’ll end up paying for it. of course, the polcie do this every single day in every single county, but it’s usually just some minority kids, so, whatever…it’s not like it’s white people with careers or anything…what’s the big deal…

On the good side, misdemeanor convictions ar every common nowadays and not necessarily so bizarre to an exmployer. It might help to write short letter with an polcie report so she doens’t have to explain it extemporaneously.

being charged with a crime is pretty darn stressful. her having pled guilty would not be a good fact for a subsequent lawsuit against the police.

Drink Heavily.

[scaredyclassic]

Of course, it’s possible she could’ve lost the case. If you believe the police are always telling the truth and anyone charged witha c rime would necessarily lie to save their skin, you might find her guilty. maybe the jury would think that the police did find something in the house and that the evidence was suppressed and they’re not getting the whole story and she’s really some sort of heinous something-or-other, because the police wouldnt really do all this with no reason, right? Maybe the jury won’t care whether there was anything in the house and will simply think you need to immediately submit to any police order, no matter how unreasonable or whether or not you were sure they were police. maybe the jury will think, hey, if we don’t convict, she’ll sue, and we’ll end up paying for it. of course, the polcie do this every single day in every single county, but it’s usually just some minority kids, so, whatever…it’s not like it’s white people with careers or anything…what’s the big deal…

On the good side, misdemeanor convictions ar every common nowadays and not necessarily so bizarre to an exmployer. It might help to write short letter with an polcie report so she doens’t have to explain it extemporaneously.

being charged with a crime is pretty darn stressful. her having pled guilty would not be a good fact for a subsequent lawsuit against the police.

Drink Heavily.

[4plexowner]

The consensus among my engineering co-workers is that engineers never get picked for jury duty

I would broaden that and say that intelligent, analytical people rarely get picked for jury duty

It seems to me that lawyers are looking for jurors who can be swayed and influenced during the trial – not educated people who can coldly analyze facts and draw rational conclusions based on those facts

IMO one of the check boxes for requesting a dismissal on the back of the jury summons should be, “I’m an intelligent, analytical person who won’t be picked for a jury even if I show up.”

~

My last experience with jury duty: by the time the lawyers had done their 15 minutes of introducing the case I already knew that the defendant was guilty – it would have been a waste of time and taxpayer money to let this guy have a trial – in my book, if you run from the police (car chase) you are guilty enough to be charged with something – allowing this person a jury trial and expecting that they be presumed innocent is a little bit much for me to swallow – call me the hangin’ juror … yes, I was dismissed from this jury

[4plexowner]

The consensus among my engineering co-workers is that engineers never get picked for jury duty

I would broaden that and say that intelligent, analytical people rarely get picked for jury duty

It seems to me that lawyers are looking for jurors who can be swayed and influenced during the trial – not educated people who can coldly analyze facts and draw rational conclusions based on those facts

IMO one of the check boxes for requesting a dismissal on the back of the jury summons should be, “I’m an intelligent, analytical person who won’t be picked for a jury even if I show up.”

~

My last experience with jury duty: by the time the lawyers had done their 15 minutes of introducing the case I already knew that the defendant was guilty – it would have been a waste of time and taxpayer money to let this guy have a trial – in my book, if you run from the police (car chase) you are guilty enough to be charged with something – allowing this person a jury trial and expecting that they be presumed innocent is a little bit much for me to swallow – call me the hangin’ juror … yes, I was dismissed from this jury

[4plexowner]

The consensus among my engineering co-workers is that engineers never get picked for jury duty

I would broaden that and say that intelligent, analytical people rarely get picked for jury duty

It seems to me that lawyers are looking for jurors who can be swayed and influenced during the trial – not educated people who can coldly analyze facts and draw rational conclusions based on those facts

IMO one of the check boxes for requesting a dismissal on the back of the jury summons should be, “I’m an intelligent, analytical person who won’t be picked for a jury even if I show up.”

~

My last experience with jury duty: by the time the lawyers had done their 15 minutes of introducing the case I already knew that the defendant was guilty – it would have been a waste of time and taxpayer money to let this guy have a trial – in my book, if you run from the police (car chase) you are guilty enough to be charged with something – allowing this person a jury trial and expecting that they be presumed innocent is a little bit much for me to swallow – call me the hangin’ juror … yes, I was dismissed from this jury

[4plexowner]

The consensus among my engineering co-workers is that engineers never get picked for jury duty

I would broaden that and say that intelligent, analytical people rarely get picked for jury duty

It seems to me that lawyers are looking for jurors who can be swayed and influenced during the trial – not educated people who can coldly analyze facts and draw rational conclusions based on those facts

IMO one of the check boxes for requesting a dismissal on the back of the jury summons should be, “I’m an intelligent, analytical person who won’t be picked for a jury even if I show up.”

~

My last experience with jury duty: by the time the lawyers had done their 15 minutes of introducing the case I already knew that the defendant was guilty – it would have been a waste of time and taxpayer money to let this guy have a trial – in my book, if you run from the police (car chase) you are guilty enough to be charged with something – allowing this person a jury trial and expecting that they be presumed innocent is a little bit much for me to swallow – call me the hangin’ juror … yes, I was dismissed from this jury

[4plexowner]

The consensus among my engineering co-workers is that engineers never get picked for jury duty

I would broaden that and say that intelligent, analytical people rarely get picked for jury duty

It seems to me that lawyers are looking for jurors who can be swayed and influenced during the trial – not educated people who can coldly analyze facts and draw rational conclusions based on those facts

IMO one of the check boxes for requesting a dismissal on the back of the jury summons should be, “I’m an intelligent, analytical person who won’t be picked for a jury even if I show up.”

~

My last experience with jury duty: by the time the lawyers had done their 15 minutes of introducing the case I already knew that the defendant was guilty – it would have been a waste of time and taxpayer money to let this guy have a trial – in my book, if you run from the police (car chase) you are guilty enough to be charged with something – allowing this person a jury trial and expecting that they be presumed innocent is a little bit much for me to swallow – call me the hangin’ juror … yes, I was dismissed from this jury

[dharmagirl]

Hi PD,

I will pass on your feedback to my pal. From what I recall, her attorney painted a fairly scary picture of “what ifs” and that is what convinced her to just go for the lesser charge and get it over with.

I suppose this kind of thing does happen all the time. I was outraged because I can understand how any woman might be panicked to answer the door to a crowd of people while still in pajamas with bed hair.

She knows people at the firm where the job offer is coming from, but is embarassed to have to tell them that she was arrested and convicted of a MD. I’ve assured her that it’s such a bizarre story that most people will probably be sort of riveted rather than judgmental. The note is a good idea.

Linda still has no idea WHAT they were looking for in the house that day, but she thinks it was more sinister. Her husband cant discuss anything related to his job (she doesnt even know where his office is located). This put a horrific strain on their marriage.

Ah, well..it’s just like the post from a couple of weeks ago. Cant remember what it was about, but I remember that HarryB and I were bantering about how no one should get too comfy in their own skin….it’s the old “you never know what’s gonna happen to you on any given day” thing. Again, like Kevin Spacey’s character in American Beauty – “Today is the day I die” (or whatever the line was).

My who has never done anything wrong in her life, volunteers her time for good causes, and is well educated, certainly did not expect to be charged with a felony that morning.

Life IS funny sometimes.

PD, you’ve inspired me to go have a glass of wine!

[dharmagirl]

Hi PD,

I will pass on your feedback to my pal. From what I recall, her attorney painted a fairly scary picture of “what ifs” and that is what convinced her to just go for the lesser charge and get it over with.

I suppose this kind of thing does happen all the time. I was outraged because I can understand how any woman might be panicked to answer the door to a crowd of people while still in pajamas with bed hair.

She knows people at the firm where the job offer is coming from, but is embarassed to have to tell them that she was arrested and convicted of a MD. I’ve assured her that it’s such a bizarre story that most people will probably be sort of riveted rather than judgmental. The note is a good idea.

Linda still has no idea WHAT they were looking for in the house that day, but she thinks it was more sinister. Her husband cant discuss anything related to his job (she doesnt even know where his office is located). This put a horrific strain on their marriage.

Ah, well..it’s just like the post from a couple of weeks ago. Cant remember what it was about, but I remember that HarryB and I were bantering about how no one should get too comfy in their own skin….it’s the old “you never know what’s gonna happen to you on any given day” thing. Again, like Kevin Spacey’s character in American Beauty – “Today is the day I die” (or whatever the line was).

My who has never done anything wrong in her life, volunteers her time for good causes, and is well educated, certainly did not expect to be charged with a felony that morning.

Life IS funny sometimes.

PD, you’ve inspired me to go have a glass of wine!

[dharmagirl]

Hi PD,

I will pass on your feedback to my pal. From what I recall, her attorney painted a fairly scary picture of “what ifs” and that is what convinced her to just go for the lesser charge and get it over with.

I suppose this kind of thing does happen all the time. I was outraged because I can understand how any woman might be panicked to answer the door to a crowd of people while still in pajamas with bed hair.

She knows people at the firm where the job offer is coming from, but is embarassed to have to tell them that she was arrested and convicted of a MD. I’ve assured her that it’s such a bizarre story that most people will probably be sort of riveted rather than judgmental. The note is a good idea.

Linda still has no idea WHAT they were looking for in the house that day, but she thinks it was more sinister. Her husband cant discuss anything related to his job (she doesnt even know where his office is located). This put a horrific strain on their marriage.

Ah, well..it’s just like the post from a couple of weeks ago. Cant remember what it was about, but I remember that HarryB and I were bantering about how no one should get too comfy in their own skin….it’s the old “you never know what’s gonna happen to you on any given day” thing. Again, like Kevin Spacey’s character in American Beauty – “Today is the day I die” (or whatever the line was).

My who has never done anything wrong in her life, volunteers her time for good causes, and is well educated, certainly did not expect to be charged with a felony that morning.

Life IS funny sometimes.

PD, you’ve inspired me to go have a glass of wine!

[dharmagirl]

Hi PD,

I will pass on your feedback to my pal. From what I recall, her attorney painted a fairly scary picture of “what ifs” and that is what convinced her to just go for the lesser charge and get it over with.

I suppose this kind of thing does happen all the time. I was outraged because I can understand how any woman might be panicked to answer the door to a crowd of people while still in pajamas with bed hair.

She knows people at the firm where the job offer is coming from, but is embarassed to have to tell them that she was arrested and convicted of a MD. I’ve assured her that it’s such a bizarre story that most people will probably be sort of riveted rather than judgmental. The note is a good idea.

Linda still has no idea WHAT they were looking for in the house that day, but she thinks it was more sinister. Her husband cant discuss anything related to his job (she doesnt even know where his office is located). This put a horrific strain on their marriage.

Ah, well..it’s just like the post from a couple of weeks ago. Cant remember what it was about, but I remember that HarryB and I were bantering about how no one should get too comfy in their own skin….it’s the old “you never know what’s gonna happen to you on any given day” thing. Again, like Kevin Spacey’s character in American Beauty – “Today is the day I die” (or whatever the line was).

My who has never done anything wrong in her life, volunteers her time for good causes, and is well educated, certainly did not expect to be charged with a felony that morning.

Life IS funny sometimes.

PD, you’ve inspired me to go have a glass of wine!

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