jury duty

[childofdust]

What say you in this matter? Jury duty presents me, as Mennonite, with a severe conflict of interest. What happens if I'm called? What do I do? If justice was indeed the purpose of the U.S. judicial system, it might make things a bit easier... But I know better than that. Imagine the kind of things that could take place if I did choose to go through with it if called upon... What if a person is found guilty and the penalty under the law is violence? Does one have to take an oath to be on a jury--even if one is Anabaptist? The problems and possibilities inherent in this situation confound me to no end. The wisdom and guidance of those who share this conflict of interest would be appreciated and I'm sure it would be eye-opening to those who do not. childofdust

 

[childofdust]

Perhaps the essence of the conflict of interest in jury duty comes down to this: the end result of my service is either to authorize the arm of the law to move against a person on account of wrongdoing or to hold the arm of the law back because no wrongdoing has been done. If wrongdoing has been done, I as a Mennonite am suddenly trust into an impossible scenario. The way of Christ in response to wrongdoing is suffering, not retaliation, vengeance, or lawsuit. To turn the other cheek or to offer the cloak as well, not to fight. To overcome evil with good, not with force or violence. Since this way of Christ is contrary to an eye for an eye, I cannot authorize the arm of the law to deal with a person according to it. To do so would be to invalidate my faith. If wrongdoing has not been done, holding back the arm of the law would not be a problem. Indeed, it would be making peace, declaring truth, and not conforming to the world, which seeks after evil instead of good. But as a juror or potential juror, I have no idea whether wrongdoing has taken place or not until it is already too late. Perhaps that, then, is indirectly the answer to my dilemma. Perhaps I should welcome the chance to be a juror in the hopes that I can stand for peace, truth, and goodness if there is false accusation or if there is no wrong to speak of, but if it turns out that wrongdoing has occurred, I can refuse to cooperate and then freely and without resistance submit myself to the judgment and punishment of the court. Perhaps by being open and honest about my religious convictions and obligations as a Mennonite--by directly stating my intent if wrongdoing is proved in the case--I will simply be released from the whole situation.

 

[pgp_protector]

You can always read up on Jury Nullification, (The Judges won't tell you about that)

 

[Wirraway]

What say you in this matter? Jury duty presents me, as Mennonite, with a severe conflict of interest. What happens if I'm called? What do I do? If justice was indeed the purpose of the U.S. judicial system, it might make things a bit easier... But I know better than that. Imagine the kind of things that could take place if I did choose to go through with it if called upon... What if a person is found guilty and the penalty under the law is violence? Does one have to take an oath to be on a jury--even if one is Anabaptist? The problems and possibilities inherent in this situation confound me to no end. The wisdom and guidance of those who share this conflict of interest would be appreciated and I'm sure it would be eye-opening to those who do not. childofdust

you don't have to take an oath. you can "affirm" that you'll do your duty.

you might be called for civil jury duty, in which case there is no "violence." in fact, the only "violence" in a criminal trial would be the death penalty and you can simply tell the judge that you would, under no circumstances, vote for it, and you'll be excused.

jury nullification is a joke, don't bother with that; the justice system works fine in most cases.

none of what you've said will get you out of jury duty. there's stuff you can do, but you can't waste time. call the jury clerk and tell him or her that you've moved out of town for a few months, and be ready to provide and address and a telephone number of the new residence.

and yes, I have plenty of experience picking juries and dealing with people who don't want to be on juries and dealing with "nullification" jokers.

 

[p.progress]

If you don't vote - which I am sure you do not do as a Mennonite, then you don't have to 'worry' about being called for jury duty.

BUT IF YOU WERE called to jury duty, then becoming thoroughly informed (by educating yourself about 'jury nullification', as the other poster mentioned) will provide you a wonderful opportunity to do what is just and in accordance to TRUTH, JUSTICE and MERCY (when mercy is appropriate to dispense it) - as all these are defined in the scriptures. Why? Because of the beauty in the power and authority you as a jurist possess to exercise jury nullification.

Start studying what this is and means and how you are to exercise it in a courtroom situation.

One of the next issues you'll likely face is whether you have the courage to exercise this prerogative. You'll also have to reeducate yourself also about what the scriptures ACTUALLY teach on the subject of judging - in all of the types of judgment that they speak and teach about. There are some types of judgment we are forbidden...warned not to enter into. But there are typed of judgment we are warned not to fail to exercise as well. Better get that clear and straight in your mind for your good and for the sake of others you have to deal with through this life. Farewell.

 

[WayneinMaine]

If you do not register to vote, you will not be called.

 

[Communion]

If you don't vote - which I am sure you do not do as a Mennonite, then you don't have to 'worry' about being called for jury duty.

BUT IF YOU WERE called to jury duty, then becoming thoroughly informed (by educating yourself about 'jury nullification', as the other poster mentioned) will provide you a wonderful opportunity to do what is just and in accordance to TRUTH, JUSTICE and MERCY (when mercy is appropriate to dispense it) - as all these are defined in the scriptures. Why? Because of the beauty in the power and authority you as a jurist possess to exercise jury nullification.

Start studying what this is and means and how you are to exercise it in a courtroom situation.

One of the next issues you'll likely face is whether you have the courage to exercise this prerogative. You'll also have to reeducate yourself also about what the scriptures ACTUALLY teach on the subject of judging - in all of the types of judgment that they speak and teach about. There are some types of judgment we are forbidden...warned not to enter into. But there are typed of judgment we are warned not to fail to exercise as well. Better get that clear and straight in your mind for your good and for the sake of others you have to deal with through this life. Farewell.

If you do not register to vote, you will not be called.

I have never registered to vote; I was called to jury duty some years back. Maybe Pennsylvania does things differently

 

[Amisk]

Here in Canada you are called to jury duty, there is no registering. I was called this past year. It was the first time and I had not registered.

I reported that I have sleep apnee and that I would likely fall a sleep during the case. It was a true statement since I often fall a sleep in church services and lecture type situation. I never heard any more about jury duty, but had they push the issue further I could have produced a letter from the doctor backing my claim.

To be honest I don't really have objection to serving on a jury.

 

[General Mung Beans]

What state do you live in? Because if you live in one of the states that don't have the death penalty it isn't a problem. Capital punishment in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[rhb]

As a non-Anabaptist, I'm not sure I should give you any advice, but it seems to me you're getting some bad advice. To lie or make up an excuse of any kind is unacceptable. Any Christian ought to know he or she should never do that. I do realize we are weak and compromise sometimes, but to plan to do so is a disgrace to Christ.

If called, I think you should state honestly what your beliefs are, and if asked give details about what kind of judgements you could or could not make. Some posters suggested you can pass judgment unless it is for the death penalty. Only your own conscience can tell you what you can or cannot judge. I do know that my conservative Mennonite friends would never want to be responsible for imposing any penalty on a wrongdoer.

If you are willing to state your beliefs honestly, the court -- or the attorney representing at least one side -- will probably not want you on the jury.

If you are required to sit on the jury in spite of your views, you might have a difficult decision. Possibly you could state your opinion in the case but refuse to vote yea or nay. It seems logical to me that if you couldn't vote "guilty" you wouldn't want to vote "not guilty" either, because either vote is a judgment. If you were ordered to vote in spite of protesting that your conscience would not allow you to make a judgment, you would be in a similar position to Amish farmers who had their mules taken away to pay Social Security tax which they refused to do. Today there is an exemption from Social Security for those acting from conscience based on a documented belief system, and I doubt there is anywhere in the US where you would not also be excused from jury duty if conscience forbid you to serve.

 

[SandyKay]

I am a Mennonite and have done jury duty so many times I have lost count! And I am a conservative Mennonite!
One does not have to swear but affirm...
Jury does not pass a sentence, only determine whether the accused is guilty.
The system is an excellent one, one that works hard to protect the innocent and bring justice to the guilty. Having said this the court is only as good as the people on it.
As time goers on, I am having more problems with voting then jury duty because the politicians will lie through their teeth, say anything they think you want to hear. They will project an image that may be totally unreal about himself. Then I vote for the guy who ends up acting like a jerk! Grrrr
I have no qualms about doing jury duty. One is not seeking vengeance for wrongs done, but working to remove people from the streets who work to bring about disorder, violence. I would have a serious problem serving on a jury if it would involve a lawsuit where one works to collect money for an allege wrong because of what the scriptures say about lawsuits.
This has been my experience. I must say it has been a very interesting one and because of it have developed a deep appreciation for the law officers although I would not encourage anyone to get into that profession.