October 29, 2008

I was on the road at 8:30 this morning to fulfill my American obligation to serve as a juror - it took me 25 minutes to drive to Riverhead, 10 minutes to fill out paperwork, and 5 1/2 hours to find out they didn't want me. Somehow, I knew that's what would happen. Because in my mind, right is right, and wrong is wrong; but our justice system doesn't always work that way. The case for which I was a possible juror had to do with medical malpractice - which, of course, does happen. As I listened to the case, I was completely unbiased toward the defendant and the plaintiff. When the lawyer for the plaintiff explained that the woman didn't speak a word of English, my antennas went up immediately. When it was my turn to be questioned one-on-one I explained that I had some concerns about the case and with those involved. I was immediately escorted to the hallway so the other prospective jurors couldn't hear what I had to say. "Is this woman legal?" I asked all three lawyers. She wasn't, and I was excused from jury duty for six more years. End of story.

6 comments:

Tadd Stickler said...

Excellent!!!!!!!!!! Why should someone who is breaking the law be allowed to even file a lawsuit? Why are they not in jail for breaking the law? Well done Mary!

Sis. Julie said...

Huh....very interesting!! I have been called for jury duty twice. The first time a civil case that I sat on the jury and took part in the decision. The second was a murder trial...but after several questions and the prosecution liking my answers...the defense did not. I told them the prisons don't make it as tough on the prisoners as it should since my brother in law was incarcerated and ate good meals and got to watch movies and work out in a fully furnished workout center and play basketball and have all sorts of fun. He would comment often that it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. Then with my husband having been a police officer I wasn't wanted by the defense. I was not partial to either side since I didn't know much about the case. But I was dismissed and sent home. I've not been called since and that was about 5 years ago. Both times prior were in two different counties. Now we live in another county different than the other two...so who knows.

Mary said...

Hey Tadd - thanks for the comment. You and I are definitely on the same page! Illegal aliens are exactly that - ILLEGAL. They should be prosecuted and escorted back their own country.

Mary said...

Hi Julie - your comment rings so true. The punishment for crime should be greater than the crime itself and should be delivered speedily. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." Ecc. 8:11

If this kind of justice were set in motion in our country, crime levels would drop dramatically. People would actually FEAR the consequences of their crimes and think twice before putting evil plans to action.

Thanks for your comment Julie. It's always nice to read your thoughts! I hope everything is well with you and your family.

Tim and Lex said...

Illegals with legal rights. legal illegals now there is an oxymoron for ya! I wish you could have stayed on the case! It just boils my blood that you were "escorted" away. I mean really! You were probably the only one there with pure common sense. Anyway, a very interesting post Mrs. E.

See you on Sunday :o)

Mary said...

Thanks so much, Lexi! The reason they let me go was because I could not be an impartial juror knowing she was illegal. It seemed like some kind of insane joke to me that SHE wasn't on trial for being in our country illegally. I like what Bro. Curtman says about this type of thing,"Oh, the insanity of sin!" What is our country coming to? I think we both know the answer. SAD.
XO - Mrs. E.