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anyone here been on jury duty ? how's the experience like ? I'm guessing it must be very consuming to pass a judgement on someone that could determine their life? what about gruesome cases? Quentin Tarantino movies are bad enough for me. Lawyers somewhat detach emotions from their cases but diff for civilians, I'd reckon ?

At the same time, seems like a fairer way of passing judgement instead of total reliance on judges - as its game over if judges are corrupt. i don't know the history and evolution of judiciary system globally, but curious on how its like for regular people to be juries

We used to have juries in my country, but after a very creepy sensational case of someone who practiced black magic and murdered a lot of people and babies, the jury system was completely abolished some 20 years back. The witch doctor was sentenced to death but i guess everyone was just totally freaked out

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Discussion

bitjoon 2y ago

The least worst alternative is a jury of your peers.

I’ve been on two juries. Drug dealing and rape. Serious matters, but I believe it is indispensable to a self-governing society and legitimacy of the courts.

pam 2y ago

yea, sounds massive. jury of your peers is def a better way of looking at it

Julien 2y ago

I’ve served on a jury once before. The trial was for count of murder and assault with a deadly weapon (aka gun). This is in the US 🇺🇸 btw.

I found the experience mentally draining. Closely paying attention to lawyer’s arguments and witness testimony is very tiring. Then once both sides are done presenting their cases, the jury deliberates in private for as long as it takes the reach a unanimous verdict for each charge.

In my case, the jury was in deliberation for about three days which for the scope of the charges is actually relatively quick. We had to decide whether or not to convict someone of first or second degree murder and people took that decision very seriously. Deliberation was emotionally draining.

pam 2y ago

i can imagine it being draining, as the onus is on you not to miss anything out. and im guessing prosecutor will go an extra mile to paint a devastating pic and defense will do just the opp ? what happens if its not unanimous ? i've only watched US jury related stuff from movies so its probably very dramatic and intense in my mind

Julien 2y ago

If the jury can’t make a decision after a certain number of days (I don’t know how many exactly, I think it’s the judge’s call), then the judge declares a mistrial. A mistrial means they start over. The whole trial is done again with a new jury.

In my experience this plays out with you feeling the pressure of avoiding being the annoying person who is holding up this whole thing and wasting everyone’s time. So that aspects does motivate a jury to come to a unanimous decision. Jurors privately vote a couple times a day on what they think. In my case, the vote was almost unanimous for 2nd degree murder by the end of the first day, so it didn’t take too long to get it to 100%

The trial was way less dramatic then TV / movies. The lawyers make very detailed explanations and repeat arguments in different words to emphasize their points. All of this makes the moment to moment action pretty dull.

Julien 2y ago

Btw do you mind me asking what country this witch doctor thing was in?

In the US, the jury is only responsible for rendering a verdict, so whether or not the defendant is guilty. It’s then the judge’s responsibility to determine the punishment. Obviously, certain charges demand some minimum punishments but it technically isn’t the jury’s call. When you do jury duty they inform of this separation but obviously it’s impossible not to have the potential punishment in mind when rendering a verdict.

Like any system, whether there is a jury or it’s just a judge, it’s never going to be perfect. I think jury’s play an important role in the judicial system.

pam 2y ago

that's an interesting way to think about it, i did not separate punishment and verdict in my mind. That's def a better way to think about it. This case, her name was Mona Fandey. Sorry it was 30 yrs ago. I dont know the details except people are still reluctant to talk abt it as it gives them the creeps

j3s7m4n 2y ago

which Caribbean island are we talking about with the Black ✨?!

pam 2y ago

south east asia, the other side of the globe. i don't know the origin of these practices but I think you hear more abt it where there are more natives in the land ? over here, the origins of the land are predominantly borneans, austronesian/ malayan archipelago, people of the land from 40k yrs ago. there are a lot of ancient stories and myths on gods and spirits, and most religions believe in supernatural activities

j3s7m4n 2y ago

Mmm, fascinating, thanks for sharing 🤙💜