The Vent and Rant Thread

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Gardenman

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_nullification

Juries are not told abut this because Judges are afraid Juries will use it.

Yes you do have this in the UK

http://ukcriminallawblog.com/jury-nu...e-right-thing/

BTW: for what it's worth, do, actually, believe in jury nullification. It is within the power of the jury--which is the essential nexus, the fundamental tenet, of our system. Our faith and trust that "12 [wo]men, brave and true," (thank you, Dame Agatha) will come to the right verdict. If that means choosing a different path than "Thu Laaaw!," as written (thank you, Judge Dredd), then so be it.

There's not a d*mned thing wrong with jury nullification. And yes, in one of my many trips to the voir dire box, I answered a question and told the (defense) attorney that I did, an honest answer to a question, and sure 'nuff, the prosecutor exercised one of his prerogatives and I was outta there. In the circumstance, it was the right answer to the specific question.

Hitch

[Tarana]

Originally Posted by Gardenman

What is the period of eligibility in England? I never heard of such a thing in the US

Federal court removes you from the jury pool if you are 80 or older. For most states, if you are 70 or older, that's the only reason you need to have yourself removed from jury duty.

My late sister had jury duty last January. These days, instead of waiting at the court house, you call a number and they tell you whether you need to come in for selection or not. Once you are in the selection process, depending on your courthouse, you might not be able to use electronic devices - they may even take them from you and lock them up until you leave for the day. So, just be prepared to bring a paperback with you.

[pdurrant]

There's a famous UK case where the Jury acquitted despite the defendent being technically guilty of the the offence. Look up Clive Ponting for details.

And the Jury could still acquit today, despite the 1989 act.

[Hemmi]

I've never been called even though I've been registered to vote since I was 18 and have had a driver's license since I was 16.

Mom's had both regular jury duty twice and Grand Jury duty once. She's gotten to hear cases every time too.

[wodin]

I've been selected twice, once 20 or so years ago where we convicted for domestic violence, and once last year; I was selected as an alternate for "Unauthorized operation of a propelled vehicle" (car theft). I had to sit through the arguments, but then dismissed for deliberations. I don't know if they convicted or not, but I would have voted for acquittal.

[wodin]

What the H#!!, every one's life is going just swimmingly? The last post here was by ME over two weeks ago. C'mon people, WHINE!

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by wodin

What the H#!!, every one's life is going just swimmingly? The last post here was by ME over two weeks ago. C'mon people, WHINE!

Where's the cheese?

[wodin]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Where's the cheese?

It's over in the next thread.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Where's the cheese?

I'll whine.

My FIL is in a convalescent care home; something weird is going on with him, but the docs cannot figure out WTH it IS. Granted, he's 96, but still. First he was taken to the hospital; kept there a few days, now he's in the CC home, and still, no answers.

My baby sister is in the ER of her local hospital, but she hasn't told me why. She had a TAVR procedure two weeks ago, and all I know is, she's concerned about "her recovery." Now she's in the ER, and she's NOT calling me. (She's 2500 miles away). What's driving me nuts is, she's NOT a Stoic. Not by any means, so, WTF is going on???????

And, as usual, in my normal moaniness, (why isn't that a perfectly good word? Seems like it should be....) I hate (some of) my clients today.


Hitch

[Rumpelteazer]

My feet are cold.

When my friends bought this house they stripped it and renovated it. They decided against putting in underfloor heating. It was well insulated, but the tiled floor never seems to get properly warm. I've got my extra warm slippers on and knitted socks but my feet are still cold.

Also, I'm mentally preparing to walk the dog. It's -8C outside, taking the wind chill into account it feels like -16C. Tomorrow morning, when I go home to work it has warmed up to -7C, but it still feels like -16C. And Friday morning it won't be much better.

[Tarana]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

There's a famous UK case where the Jury acquitted despite the defendent being technically guilty of the the offence. Look up Clive Ponting for details.

And the Jury could still acquit today, despite the 1989 act.

Looking at that case, I could see a Jury still acquitting him today. He didn't go to the newspapers. He went to a member of the elected government.

[Tarana]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

My feet are cold.

My feet are also cold. Diabetes and older age caught up with me finally. I now have to wear shoes or slippers ALL the time or my toes freeze. Sucks. On the sort of plus side, one of my cats has become another personal bed cat AND a personal foot warmer. Very nice when I first get into bed and my feet are cold. Not so great in the middle of the night when I try to move.

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by Tarana

My feet are also cold. Diabetes and older age caught up with me finally. I now have to wear shoes or slippers ALL the time or my toes freeze. Sucks. On the sort of plus side, one of my cats has become another personal bed cat AND a personal foot warmer. Very nice when I first get into bed and my feet are cold. Not so great in the middle of the night when I try to move.

I think you've got it backwards. Your cats have decided YOU are a personal bed warmer. How dare you want to move in the middle of the night!

[Hemmi]

Work still sucks. Super busy and short handed. What a wonderful combo.

[cromag]

We're not quite sure of the exact sequence of events, but somehow my wife took a tumble this morning. She was at the top of the driveway, talking to the mailman, when she turned to leave. She may have slid on some wet leaves, tripped against the curb, etc. One way or another, she fell. We spent the afternoon at the local emergency room. She has a badly sprained ankle and a broken fibula -- the little bone in the lower leg.

Obviously, it could have been much more serious, but this will do. We'll have a better idea what's what after she sees an orthopedist.