Prospective Juror

[pameladean]

Oh, boy. I'm now a prospective juror on a trial concerning what sounds like a nasty situation. So far we have all filled out questionnaires, and will be grilled in person tomorrow.

The questionnaire was deeply unnerving. I don't myself feel that "answering honestly" really sorts with Yes or No, even if you can Explain in three lines or even use more paper if you want. I feel that my answers were not consistent and that they'll think I was lying. But I wasn't. I have many mixed feelings and many contradictory opinions.

They ask what TV shows you watch and what your favorite characters are.

They ask if you want to be a juror on this trial. I said that I didn't, well aware that they may be screening just as much for people who want to for creepy reasons.

I would complain for several screens except that, well, whatever ills I think being on this jury may bring, they hardly compare with either being a victim of this crime or with being falsely accused of it.

P.

Comments

[pameladean]

I don't think it's specific to one kind of crime. After asking generally about TV, they ask about legal and crime shows, and about medical shows. I think they are more looking to see if you believe every word of CSI, or something like that. Conversation in the jury room from people who got as far as the questionnaire and were dismissed suggests that these questions are fairly common.

P.

[resqdog51.livejournal.com]

Aaaahhhh....

Hehe. our judge actually specifically instructed us NOT to watch CSI, or Law & Order or anything like that until after our trial was over, because it could influence us.

...and now i'm not talking anymore about my case, heh. Thank you, tho!

[rahaeli.livejournal.com]

My girlfriend is a forensic DNA analyst, and she testifies in court all the time -- you're absolutely right, they're looking for people who watch and believe CSI, because the "CSI effect" is growing more and more common with juries nationwide. People expect the prosecution to be able to turn up DNA evidence for everything, of a type and style which just isn't possible in the Real World. It's been pretty widely discussed (http://www.google.com/search?q=%22CSI+effect%22), and it's becoming a serious problem in criminal justice. (The Girl gets subpoenaed regularly to testify, for instance, that no DNA samples were found...)

(The CSI effect is also making people smarter about how they commit crime, too.)

The CSI Effect

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

A surprising number of people believe that CSI is real, and are looking for that kind of forensic analysis in real trials.

B

Re: The CSI Effect

[medievalist.livejournal.com]

Well of course it's real--they couldn't show it on TV if it weren't!

Yes, yes I am quoting a fellow jurist.

Re: The CSI Effect

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, you have to wonder what planet these people are living on.

B

Re: The CSI Effect

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

Earth, unfortunately...

Re: The CSI Effect

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on the "unfortunately" part.

B

Re: The CSI Effect

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

...and you voted for George W. Bush in the last election because he will lower taxes, protect the environment, and control terrorism too, right? Yeah, I thought so.

Re: The CSI Effect

[vass]

Oy. Someone missed out on a very important stage of early childhood development. And evidently never watches science fiction (except CSI.)

I'll be over here, whimpering.