Why You Should Not Avoid Jury Duty
Don't Ignore Your Rights and Duties as an American Citizen
In spite of all the rights and freedoms that we have in the United States, so many people try to get out of doing something that helps the society that they must face every day. Yes, we pay large amounts of taxes, kissing a large chunk of our paycheck goodbye, but that's still no justification. We have rights and duties and it is our moral obligation to participate in our society and government as much as possible.
If more and more people are bailing out of jury duty, maybe the right to trial by jury should be nixed from the Constitution. If for some reason you end up on the bad end of a trial one day, would you prefer a jury or would you want it to be just a knock down drag out argument between the prosecutor and your lawyer, leaving it up to the judge to make the final decision? It'[s hard to fool a judge who has seen everything ten times over and knows how the games that the lawyers play. Most people choose the jury.
When you really think about it, you have to be pretty smart to purposely get yourself eliminated from a jury selection. If you're too smart and have an intelligent opinion on everything, they don't want you at all. "Knows it alls" and opinionated people are eliminated from the jury pool. So what's left? The dumb people, the same people that get your order wrong at Burger King, the same people who use the wrong blinker and cause pile ups on the freeway, the same people that they put instructions on a box of pop tarts for. So when you are in trouble remember who it is that is deciding your fate.
No one likes obligations, especially ones that come from a government that we don't always agree with. But at the same time, we the people have shaped the government and we do have a lot of power. It's not about doing what the master says and showing up for jury duty, it's about helping out your fellow man and improving your society for the benefit of others and yourself. Maybe you have a hatred towards the human race, with all the idiots and criminals out there, but you can help to change things by participating. Voting is your right, but it is also a duty to yourself. Don't complain about taxes if you don't vote against them. Don't complain about a criminal getting away if you haven't served on jury duty. Remember, every time you vote you cancel an opposing vote. Every time you serve on jury duty that's another day that justice was served. The power to change the world is yours.
Maybe you just don't care. You don't care about any issues, the government, the people, or the future of our society. But eventually there will be something that you care about, but others won't. It will be up to you to do something about it and get active. In order to be a good participant in modern society, you must be informed. Please don't go to the polls ignorant. Learn about the propositions and candidates you are voting for. Pay attention in court when you are deciding a person's fate. Don't just do what everyone else is doing so you can get out of there faster. In the end, your efforts help you and your family. If there is anyone in the world that you care about, one vote in an election or on the jury can make a difference. Please don't ignore your rights and duties. Don't forfeit your freedoms and let others take control. Be patriotic. Take action.
Published by Donny Hedburg
- How to Get Out of Jury Duty ServiceArticle giving details about jury duty service in the United States, as well as strategies for postponing service or receiving a court excusal.
Valid Excuses to Get Out of Jury DutyNo one likes jury duty, but most people have to do it at least once in their lives. There are, however, a few valid excuses to get out of jury duty.- Jury Duty Part I: Jury SelectionJury selection is a long, boring but necessary practice
- What to Expect at Erie County (New York State) Jury DutyA general review of what you can expect when you have been called to serve for jury duty in Erie County (New York State)
- Missouri Attorney General Warns of Jury Duty ScamTons of residents have called in about an identity theft jury duty scam.
- How to Avoid Jury Duty
- Top Ten Ways to Get (kicked) Out of Jury Duty
- The Rights and Duties of a Co-Author
- Avoiding Jury Duty
- Help Me Avoid Jury Duty - What Can I Do to Get Out of It?
- Why I Can't Do Jury Duty Now
- Jury Duty: The Great Equalizer
- www.jud.ct.gov/ (Info on jury duty)
- Jury Duty is not just a duty, but a right to get involved with our justice system.
- Voting is a way to help makes a change for the better.
- If you choose not to participate, it's as if you don't matter at all.
7 Comments
Post a CommentWell, I think of it like this. Until the courts decide to compensate people and make it worth going, forget it. I received a qualification form and turned it in, with my whole opinion of the system on it. I have not heard from them since. Why should working people be penalized for other's stupidity? Civic Duty, sure it is.
I wholeheartedly agree with you Mike. My husband recently served willingly, and I salute him as well.
Well said! Jury Duty is not too much to ask of American citizens. I went to Jury Duty this past April for the first time in my life. It was extremely inconvenient for me to go. My husband was out of town that week, I had to find a sitter for my young daughter that day (since I stay at home with her), AND I caught some awful 24-hour virus the night before my duty date. Still I went to Jury Duty, freezing and shaking. Being there took a lot out of me, but it sure wasn't much to give back to the country that gives me so many blessings and freedoms.
And thank you RS. Your comments mean a lot to me since you are such a top AC producer.
It's called a "duty" for a reason. It's not fun. Could it be made easier and less inconvenient? Absolutely. But it is what it is right now. If you can't sacrifice a little bit to help out your fellow man than that says a lot about you, doesn't it? I hate would hate for you to be a judge if you automatically assume that everyone is guilty. So I would now encourage you to never participate in jury duty anyways. I live in Los Angeles and I know exactly what it is like. I know a lot of people who have had to do it and it hasn't been a pleasant experience for anybody. But there's a time when we need to stop being so selfish and contribute to the society that we endlessly suck as much as we can out of. Or else we will never reach true "civilization".
Very well written.
What does having money have anything to do with it? Wouldn't it be a privilege if only rich people COULD be on a jury? Jury duty is in the favor of everybody if the jurors choose to participate properly. And gee, I would think that in AMERICA English would be expected in a court room.