...Somebody's going shopping later! I want 'em all! Okay, Susan Boyle can wait. I just threw that one in so there's something for everyone! Actually I wouldn't mind getting that one too, but it can wait. After all there are only so many music listening hours in a day!
Three Mile Island Radiation Leak Investigated (CNN)
It was over as quickly as it began. "Prospective jurors do not have to report tomorrow. Your jury service is now complete." That's the latest recorded message I received, when I called in for my jury instructions. I'm a little disappointed, since I know of several upcoming interesting trials here. They were most likely postponed or settled. It's probably for the best though. Unless you are unemployed, jury duty can be a bit intrusive to say the least.Jury duty is the main reason I haven't been around my blog much lately. I was summoned last month as a prospective juror in the circuit court. My name was drawn by lot from the combined lists of registered voters and licensed drivers, and other public lists of people, who reside in this county. All of those so drawn constitute the group from which jurors would be selected to hear particular cases, which would be all the civil and criminal trials scheduled for the month of November in my county.
Your duty as a juror is to listen to the judge, witnesses and lawyers; to deliberate calmly and fairly; and to decide intelligently and justly. All of the evidence available to allow you to make a decision will be disclosed to you during the trial
I noticed from past experience that if your number is called you will most likely be on the jury or serve as an alternate. Attorneys here are so busy and tend to rush things like this through as quickly as possible. About twelve years ago I was also summoned as a prospective juror. In that instance I ended up not having to serve. I only had to report for jury service one day, but my number was not called. Back then the process took a lot longer. The court did not mail a questionnaire at that time, so a lot of the questions that could've been answered on a questionnaire were asked only after the prospective juror's number was called. It was very boring and took a long time sitting in the court room listening to people answer mundane questions and wondering if your number would be called next. It reminded me of church-- having to sit on those uncomfortable benches for such a long period of time.
When you are chosen as a juror, you become a part of the judicial process of the state. Your services as a juror are as important as those of the judge. You are obligated to perform these services honestly and conscientiously, without fear or favor. You must base your verdict on the evidence as you will hear it in court and on the law as the judge will instruct you.
It caused a little anxiety. I didn't really want anyone to know that I might possibly be on a jury. At least one first degree murder trial is due to begin soon, as well as two or more police brutality trials and a couple of malpractice suits against a local doctor and a nursing home. I guess I feared possible retaliation from anyone convicted (or their family). That may sound silly, but strange things happen in small towns.
As it turns out, my jury service just consisted of calling a phone number every Monday after 5:00 p.m. for a recorded message of specific instructions. Each time I called, I heard "prospective jurors do not have to report." And of course the last recording said, "your jury service is now complete." It was a little disappointing, but probably for the best. I already worry about enough things, so it's a relief that I don't have to worry whether or not I made the right decisions on a jury panel.
Jury Conduct During Trial:
Don’t Make An Independent Investigation
Jurors are expected to use the experience, common sense, and common knowledge they possess, but are not to rely upon private sources of information. It follows, therefore, that you should never inspect the scene of any occurrence involved in the case except under supervision of the Court.
Don’t Talk To Participants During Trial
Do not talk to any of the parties, witnesses, or the attorneys about anything. It may be what you say to a trial participant is a simple "good morning" or some remark about the weather, but your conversation may be misinterpreted by someone who may see you talking but cannot hear what is being said. To avoid misunderstandings, therefore, say nothing.
Don’t Discuss The Case During Trial
Jurors are not to discuss the case among themselves until they have heard all of the evidence, the arguments of the attorneys, and the Court’s instructions. After this you will go to the jury room to discuss the case and reach your verdict. You may, of course, converse with your fellow jurors about anything not connected with the case when the Court is not in session.
During the trial you must not discuss the case with your family, friends or others. The reason for this is plain. You must base your verdict only upon evidence. The opinions or comments that friends, relatives, or other outsiders may offer are not proper evidence in the case. So, if you are asked to discuss the case by persons outside the courtroom, you should simply say that the law does not permit you to do so. If anyone persists in discussing the case or tries to influence you in any manner, it is your legal duty to report this to the judge immediately. YOU SHOULD AVOID NEWSPAPERS OR RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTS (this includes the internet--ouch--not easy for a blogger) which may feature accounts of the trial or information about someone's participation in it. These may be one-sided or incomplete and are not evidence.
After you have been released from all service as a juror you may, but are not required to, discuss the case with lawyers, investigators or other persons. It is not proper for an attorney or his or her representative to make inquiry of you until such time as you have been finally excused. If you prefer not to discuss the case, you should so state to the person inquiring.
The whole process is interesting, well at least to me it is interesting. With this being such a small town, I probably would not have wrote about any trials on my blog right away--if ever. I have watched enough Court TV to know that verdicts can be thrown out for many reasons, included a juror's conduct. I wouldn't want my blogging to keep me from being a juror or especially cause a mistrial.
If you would like to learn more about the jury process, including the stages of the trial, the judge, the conduct in the Jury Room, justice under the law, and more please refer to the Illinois Petit Juror handbook for more information than you could possibly ever need! Some of the factual information in this blog post came from that handbook. Keep in mind that all of this is strictly for Illinois courts and each state has it's own way of doing things.
It's November 11th and that means it is Veterans Day in the U.S.A. It's an annual American holiday honoring military veterans. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)
I had hoped to post this for Halloween, but it was just put on YouTube yesterday. It's hilarious; doesn't need to be so long though! Believe me, if you watch it, the time will fly by.
Some unexpected good news! And YAY for teachers, who inspire their students to learn. That is, after all why students go to school, isn't it--to learn? As I said the other day, I read the article and didn't think it warranted suspension of an educator. Thank you to everyone that left a comment! You too thought suspending the teacher was a bit extreme. Just last Friday I blogged here about a local teacher who was suspended after a complaint about an optional assignment for his sophomore English honors class. Students had the option of reading an article written by Jonah Lehrer that quoted Joan Roughgarden, a biology professor at Stanford University who challenges Darwinian sexual selection by documenting more than 450 animal species that engage in homosexual behaviors. The teacher was back in class Tuesday following a disciplinary hearing Monday night, where more than 200 people lined the stairs, sidewalk and office space at the school district’s small unit office in Piasa. Many of the teachers's supporters had handmade posters and banners.A high school junior even presented the board with a petition that 204 people signed in support of the teacher. In her presentation, she noted the assignment had been optional and that any student could have chosen an alternate assignment.I have to admit, being in conservative central Illinois that I was surprised that the teacher was not permanently suspended. I'm glad the board came to it's senses and happy that so many supporters of the teacher showed up at the meeting.(Click the title link for the news article in the Jacksonville (Illinois) Journal-Courier)
Watch fall unfold one frame at a time in a multimedia piece with cello accompaniment by Carol Wessler of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. ( Peoria Journal Star:)
The St. Louis Rams narrowly pulled out their first win of the season against the equally lowly Detroit Lions. It's a good way to head into the bye week, where hopefully head coach Steve Spagnuolo can instill some discipline into this team... (TurfShowTimes)
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