[nfb-talk] jury duty

[T. Joseph Carter]

William, people such as you are dismissed from juries before trial.  It is
a disservice to the accused and the victim to have a person whose mind is
made up before the trial begins on the jury, no matter what they've made
up their mind to be.

If called, I may not be able to serve for reasons unrelated to blindness.
But if I can serve, I will.  If I can fairly evaluate the case, evidence,
crime, and my own common sense, I will.  If I cannot, I will make sure
that I am dismissed on that basis.

I don't agree with your viewpoint, but I do agree that you should not be
required to sit on a jury because of it.  Me, I'd be sitting there, and I
would strongly object to anyone saying I didn't belong there because I am
blind.


On Sat, Jan 05, 2008 at 10:07:46PM -0500, Wm. Ritchhart wrote:
> Well, I think when I was taking Criminal Justice in college, the
> professor said the jury is to hear the evidence.  I too, however would
> not serve on a jury.  Not because of my vision.  But because of the way
> our system does not work.  And were I forced to serve against my will, I
> would not vote guilty.  No matter the evidence.  
> 
> As for your friend calling you an NFB Nazi, there is not much point in
> arguing with him.  Your best approach would probably be to teach by
> example and hope he wakes up and makes some changes.  Don't hold your
> breath.  Once people like your friend learn how to be helpless, they
> generally do not unlearn it.   
> 
> 
> William