Jury Duty

[miz_wright]

Originally Posted by TaylorMarieXXX

It's interesting how suddenly everyone is fiscal conservatives when it comes to jury duty.

Here's an interesting fact for everyone who makes the cost argument. In Florida (where I'm from), and I'm sure most other states are pretty close, The Judiciary, while as a branch of the government, in essence one third of the government, receives less than %1 of budgeted state monies.

So if you are really concerned about the cost, I suggest you look at the folks on welfare, or all the pork that goes to home districts rather than the system that insures rapists go to jail, or that you have redress when some drunk runs you over and you lose your legs.

It's entirely possible I have been misunderstanding, but the commentary as I've interpreted it has been primarily concerned with inefficiencies in the system and for its purposes, its lack of effectiveness as a result.

None of which indicates fiscal conservatism so much as a concern about the misuse of exisiting resources.

[LAJ]

I'll probably get blasted for this, but whatever.

Fuck jury duty. Every time I've been called in, I try to claim hardship. When that doesn't work I'll act prejudicial... whatever it takes to get out of it. The ridiculous pay and wasted day is bad enough... but let's face it... lawyers are looking for the dumbest and most easily swayed people possible. People who have no time or patience to serve on juries by and large don't fit into that category.

When I was in college I participated in focus groups that dealt with being on a mock jury, mock trial, jury selection, etc. Boy you really get a look into how stupid humanity is when you are put with a random group of people like that.

I think in Australia they pay $50 or even $100 day for this... more of an incentive.

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by LAJ

I'll probably get blasted for this, but whatever.

Fuck jury duty. Every time I've been called in, I try to claim hardship. When that doesn't work I'll act prejudicial... whatever it takes to get out of it. The ridiculous pay and wasted day is bad enough... but let's face it... lawyers are looking for the dumbest and most easily swayed people possible. People who have no time or patience to serve on juries by and large don't fit into that category.

When I was in college I participated in focus groups that dealt with being on a mock jury, mock trial, jury selection, etc. Boy you really get a look into how stupid humanity is when you are put with a random group of people like that.

I think in Australia they pay $50 or even $100 day for this... more of an incentive.

Well, I won't blast you. I'll just say: Look, it's your duty as a citizen. It's the downside. And really, is it that big of a price to pay?
couple days, in most cases. Moneywise, here in pay, on the 3rd day, you start getting paid about $50/day.
If you want to look at this in the abstract, it's better than letting some group of "old white men" decide your fate when you commit a crime.

I'd rather take my chances with the guy on the street for a porn prosecution, than I would with some group of politicians, or judges, running for re-election.

[TaylorMarieXXX]

Originally Posted by LizAEBN

None of which indicates fiscal conservatism so much as a concern about the misuse of exisiting resources.

I thought misuse of existing resources is pretty close to the heart of fiscal conservatism.

[miz_wright]

Originally Posted by TaylorMarieXXX

I thought misuse of existing resources is pretty close to the heart of fiscal conservatism.

I always understood fiscal conservatism to be primarily about limiting pork barrel spending, as opposed to poor execution of something vital to our economy. Now, cutting away at the bloated carcass of bureaucracy is good old fashioned conservatism, and I haven't got a problem with that either.

I think jury duty is a good idea - I think the management of it is piss poor, and as such is due for an overhaul. Not least among its problems is the fact that the people you want to be on a jury - people that want to be there and have a vested interest in justice - shouldn't resent the fact they are missing a day's wages and are being treated as though they have fucked up.

Spending money on things that make sense and having them executed efficiently and well doesn't make someone a bad person or mean that they are opposed to all social programs (which, generally speaking, are the hallmarks of those claiming fiscal conservatism). It simply means they have a solid and reasonable interest in how their tax money is spent.