Grand Jury Duty

[angus63]

Sitting in court waiting for DA's direction. Serving for next four weeks. Anyone serve on a grand jury? What was it like?

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Grand Jury Duty

4 weeks? Ouch. Good luck

 

[mphy98]

Re: Grand Jury Duty

you are about to hear a one sided tail that may be true, but may be a vendetta against an innocent person. I do not like these because in effect you are being tried without defense. At the trial that comes after indictment, you cannot tell me that would not weigh on a jurist's mind. I have heard it said in exit interviews that "well the grand jury would not have indicted him if he weren't guilty". If you think someone has committed a crime, arrest them and take them to trial. Way to much power in one persons hand. I do not mean for this to seem political in any way, just my feelings for the system. I am not a paranoid person by any means, however, if the government wants to jail you, they can find a way today. Who among us at some point in time drained antifreeze out in the yard, or used oil in a ditch in the past to prevent mosquitos? There are laws broken by all of us that we don't even know. Remember they put Martha Stewart in prison for lying to a federal prosecutor. (lying to a cop) Have not all of us done that? Police officer... Do you know how fast you were going? Me I think about 35mph. (really 45mph) That is lying to a police officer. No difference from Martha Stewart. A Grand jury and trial could only find her guilty of that. She had millions of dollars for defence. Do You? So my friend I wish you luck and keep an open mind that they will be painting a very bad picture of this person with conjecture and inuendo. All legal in a grand jury.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Grand Jury Duty

A grand jury is deciding whether the prosecution has enough evidence to proceed with a trial. No more or less. It is also a method by which a prosecutor can get out of making a hard decision in politically sensitive incidents. They can always blame the grand jury.
Miss Martha Stewart was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of an agency proceeding, and making false statements to federal investigators. She was found guilty on all 4 counts in which she was charged. A severe securities fraud charge was thrown out early by the judge. She also had to pay the amount of her illicit earnings of 58K as well as a civil penalty of 138K. Also sentenced to 5 months in prison. That's a bit more than a traffic offense. Was it fair, considering what others obviously get by with all of the time? Probably not, but she was a high profile celebrity and was used as an example.

 

[angus63]

Re: Grand Jury Duty

Off to day 2 of 20. Can't discuss the details, but I sure know what I wanna do when I grow up. Day starts at 10am or so with a two hr lunch and call it quits by 3pm.

Lotsa Perry Masons in our group of 23 who lose sight of our mission to determine reasonable cause for indicting the subject.

Lots of differing opinion makes for a spirited deliberation. Good practice for when I get the nod from Hollywood!!! : )

 

[angus63]

Re: Grand Jury Duty

In New York grand jury proceedings, the subject may be called in and questioned, and may have an attorney present. Witnesses also may have an attorney present. The role of the attorney is very limited. All felonies are referred to a grand jury for indictment in New York unless the subject waives the process or pleads guilty prior to indictment. The DA has a limited time following arrest to gain an indictment or the subject will be released. Only if new evidence is discovered after release can the charges be presented again for indictment. The sole function of the grand jury is to determine if there is "reasonable cause" to bring a case to trial on the charges filed based only on the testimony and evidence presented, and dates back to before the Mayflower sailed in England to check judicial corruption. No, I'm not a District Attorney, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express, and read the NY grand jury handbook during the hours of standby time.

I do not know any details about the federal system and hope I never have to learn.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Grand Jury Duty

Yes, 2x when I lived in OhiO. It was almost enough to make me stop voting.

Pretty much just that. listening to see if there is enough evidence to goto court.

I don't want to discourage you, but some of the testimony you will hear may be a shocking and appalling.

We sat for seven of eight hours hearing case after case, deliberating and voting on each one, we had 1 hour for lunch, not that I had an appetite after some of the things I heard.

Good Luck, and make sure they validate your parking.