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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fallsfall on June 8, 2005, at 8:05:15
The last month has been jam packed for me. A 2 day Library conference, my daughter's college graduation, Chicago, and 6 weeks of filling in doing the storytimes at my library, plus a corrupted database at the library.
Today I have to go to court. I was chosen for a jury. It should be a short trial (1/2 day of testimony). The deliberations will be interesting. It will be a test of my ability to be open and flexible. I'm really excited about doing this. I've always wanted to be on a jury. This trial has to do with a guy who didn't stop for a police officer. I have a Dr. note to get me out of the jury pool for the murder trial next week... (I don't have to do trials more than 2 days).
But going to be on the jury makes me a "normal" person. This is scary to me. But I want to do it enough so that my motivation is much stronger than my fear. I even have waived an accomodation for my disability that my Dr. approved (being able to take notes). That makes me really normal. What a concept.
Posted by AuntieMel on June 8, 2005, at 8:55:36
In reply to Jury Duty, posted by fallsfall on June 8, 2005, at 8:05:15
I've been on several juries, mostly civil. The only criminal one was for shoplifting. I must have one of those 'honest' faces - if I get on a panel I get picked, every time.
Lots of people complain about it, but I find it to be fascinating even if the case itself is dull. It never fails to amaze me just how seriously all the jury members take the job, knowing that their decision really does affect someone's life.
One of the attorneys told us after a trial that he's never seen a jury get it wrong. Quite a tribute to the system, I think.
Posted by gardenergirl on June 8, 2005, at 14:06:26
In reply to Re: Jury Duty » fallsfall, posted by AuntieMel on June 8, 2005, at 8:55:36
Sounds like a good situation, and I'm glad it's working out so that you can do this.
I think you will be great on a jury. And you know what? I found you to be quite "normal" when I had the privilege of meeting you in person.
:)
gg
Posted by caraher on June 8, 2005, at 18:14:17
In reply to Re: Jury Duty » fallsfall, posted by AuntieMel on June 8, 2005, at 8:55:36
I've been on a couple myself, all small-time cases. My wife did a long stint that included a murder trial and a malpractice case!
My duty was to show 4 consecutive weeks for one-day trials. The first case involved assault and battery with a pizza! The first thing we jurors did when we entered the room for deliberations was to start laughing!
Another week I was on the jury for a shoplifting case. Of the 3 defendants only one had any actual store goods with her when security picked them up, and one was in a different store! Two of the jurors had been on a jury with me before and one revealed, after our deliberations, that her boyfriend, who does some kind of legal work, tells her "they're all guilty." Well, there she was and in the initial poll she voted "guilty" for all three defendants! That pissed me off because to my mind there was one defendant who couldn't possibly be found guilty. In the end we found one guilty and the other two not guilty, but it took a bit of a confrontation between me and the "hanging juror" to get it done.
Posted by All Done on June 8, 2005, at 20:29:44
In reply to Jury Duty, posted by fallsfall on June 8, 2005, at 8:05:15
How did it go, falls?
I'm really glad you are able to do this. You're doing a great job getting into all these "normal" activities. Just don't go and get *too* normal if it's much different than the falls I spent the day with this weekend. I quite like you just the way you are :).
Laurie
Posted by annierose on June 8, 2005, at 22:10:15
In reply to Jury Duty, posted by fallsfall on June 8, 2005, at 8:05:15
Good for you falls!
I am called for jury duty almost every other year, and the attorneys NEVER want me! I'm too opinionated (what a surpise). But I think you would make a wonderful juror. And you are so normal too.
However ... I think jurors do get it wrong sometimes. From the famous O.J. trial to lesser known cases in my town, sometimes the fancy attorney or the corrupt D.A.'s office can persuade people in the wrong direction, unfortunately. Hopefully, not too often.
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 8, 2005, at 22:18:39
In reply to Re: Jury Duty » fallsfall, posted by AuntieMel on June 8, 2005, at 8:55:36
> One of the attorneys told us after a trial that he's never seen a jury get it wrong.
Prosecuting attorney, I'd betcha.
Posted by JenStar on June 8, 2005, at 23:55:03
In reply to Jury Duty, posted by fallsfall on June 8, 2005, at 8:05:15
good luck! I'm sure you'll do fine. Just think how lucky you are to be YOU, in the jury, instead of the person on trial. :)
JenStar
Posted by fallsfall on June 9, 2005, at 10:27:55
In reply to Re: Jury Duty » fallsfall, posted by JenStar on June 8, 2005, at 23:55:03
The trial went well. The guy was guilty. It was really clear, but we tried to be openminded and figure out if there could be reasons for his actions. The defendant's lawyer pissed the judge off - that was interesting.
The deliberations went well. I was able to make my points and ask questions without feeling like I was being overly controlling of the group.
The hardest part was that I have tension in my legs that makes them hurt sometimes (the plane ride back from Chicago was brutal). So I tried to stand and move around and stretch when we weren't seated in the Jury box. And I was successful in limiting the pain while we had to be sitting still.
Being "normal" is pretty scary to me. But as I do more things, I see that I can really do them.
So the next dilemma is that there is a 1st degree murder trial starting next week. We report on Monday for Jury Selection. But I had my doctor write me a note saying that I didn't have to serve on trials estimated to last more than 2 days (the one I was on was 1/2 day). This was because I was afraid that I would get overwhelmed and need a break, but not be able to get one. But now I'm almost wishing I could be on that jury. Because it is important, and interesting. And because I feel a little guilty that I get out of it when I "probably"(??) Could do it. It is not my goal to get "out" of jury duty.
So I was talking to my therapist today about the trial and how it went (and I even went to work for 3 1/2 hours after the trial). He is fine with my decision to opt out of the murder trial, but he did say that he thought I could probably do it. Part of me really wants to opt back in. To at least be considered for the jury. I'm sure he would write me a new note rescinding his restrictions. This case is estimated for 2 weeks. But I did find that there were lots of breaks in the trail, times when the lawyers were conferring with the judge. And they were very careful to explain the laws clearly.
Clearly 1st degree murder is different from not stopping for a police officer. But I'm not sure that it is necessarily true that "normal" people could handle it better than I could. I wonder if my therapist could be flexible to still see me during the trial, or if I could call him (not to talk about the particulars of the trial, but about the process of the trial and what I can do to survive through the process).
Comments?
Posted by AuntieMel on June 9, 2005, at 13:37:21
In reply to Re: Jury Duty » AuntieMel, posted by Larry Hoover on June 8, 2005, at 22:18:39
Actually it was a civil case, so that wasn't an issue.
But on the shoplifting one the defense attorney didn't seem surprised or upset by the guilty verdict. He believes in telling the clients the pros and cons of testifying and let them decide. This one really wanted to testify - and ended up hanging herself.
Posted by AuntieMel on June 9, 2005, at 13:44:45
In reply to But now..., posted by fallsfall on June 9, 2005, at 10:27:55
A murder trial really needs someone who can separate him/herself personally from the case and consider only the facts.
I think you are quite good at that, actually, and both sides would be lucky to get you.
I see no problem with doing therapy at the same time - if the particulars of the trial are not discussed. But if you put yourself on the other side and realize if it was you on trial *you* wouldn't want anyone to influence a juror it should be no problem.
And if you can handle living with yourself afterwards. Different people can handle different things - I couldn't in good conscience give anyone a death penalty.
But I think you know yourself well enough to figure that part out.
Posted by justyourlaugh on June 10, 2005, at 0:13:47
In reply to But now..., posted by fallsfall on June 9, 2005, at 10:27:55
i have been called for years now..(first calling in university ?...(all of my excusses will catch up to me in sept...)
i have no idea why no one screened me through the police dept..
j
Posted by fallsfall on June 10, 2005, at 12:07:53
In reply to wow falls..., posted by justyourlaugh on June 10, 2005, at 0:13:47
I talked to my therapist this morning...
I think I'll move this to the Psychology board...
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050606/msgs/510561.html
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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