NCJ Number
162450
Journal
ABA Journal Volume: 82 Dated: (February 1996) Pages: 64-67
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the results of a solicitation for responses from attorneys who have served on juries regarding their experiences.
Abstract
The editors of the ABA Journal asked in the October issue for lawyers' stories about jury duty. The solicitation drew responses from all over the country. There were similarities in what lawyers experienced in being selected for a jury pool and then as a member of a jury. Typically, attorneys expected to be struck from juries because of their profession, and they were surprised when they were not. Both prosecutors and defense attorneys were apparently willing to have an attorney serve on the jury being selected. Many tried to fight the summons for jury duty, based upon their professional schedule and responsibilities. They were not excused. A few found they were not the only lawyers on their juries. A Federal jury that heard a civil rights action against a city police department contained three lawyers. Most of the respondents said they came away from their jury duty with renewed respect for the justice system and the seriousness with which jurors perform their duties. Still, there were stories of cases decided along racial lines or on the basis of irrelevancies, or where legal instructions were misinterpreted or ignored. The latter instance was especially frustrating for lawyers who wanted to convey their legal knowledge yet still be viewed by other members of the jury as their equal.