JoeyCalamaro t1_ius8mzs wrote
Reply to comment by sgardner1990 in $10 a day for jury pay is absurd if Pennsylvania says they are holding fair trials. by Jazzlike_Breadfruit9
>But my ex at one point, he was able to write in/call in to the clerk of the court. An advise them that doing so would put him in financial hardship.
I was never summoned for Jury Duty back when I lived in PA, but since moving to Florida I've served three times in the span of about ten years. Since I'm self-employed, I'm not entitled to any compensation beyond the nominal $10 or whatever Florida gives you. And, if I'm not able to work, my business is completely dead in the water and I'm not only losing money, I'm losing customers.
As the primary wage earner for my household, that's a huge hit to my livelihood — but no one seemed to care. I wrote letters, spoke to Clerk of Courts, and even tried to appeal to the good nature of the judge(s) after I showed up. But each time I was met with indifference, at best, or even outright annoyance. One judge in particular actually made things worse for me, after I explained my situation by scheduling me as a standby juror for week.
Things might be different back in PA, but, here at least, my "excuses" never got me out of anything.
RogueA t1_iusiask wrote
That's because you're living in a state that actively tries to make things worse for literally everyone living there. Most other states you can get out of duty with financial hardship.
strikervulsine t1_iuuafis wrote
Tell them you don't believe a word the police say and believe in jury nullification and they'll dismiss you so fast your head will spin.
Treestyles t1_iuukkoc wrote
Jury nullification isn’t a belief, it’s the law.
strikervulsine t1_iuuuhj8 wrote
It's more a consequence of the law. During instructions, you're specifically told that, if you are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty, you must convict them.
Of course, the jury has the final say, so even if you think they did what they're accused of, you can still vote not guilty.
You will almost certainly be dismissed if you mention it during selection.
Treestyles t1_iuuxnv9 wrote
Word games. It’s the difference between innocent and not guilty.
Ex: Sure, i had the weed they said i had, but i have no guilt about it because it’s not a real crime, and my peers should agree. I’m not innocent, but neither am I guilty.
That’s how it was intended to work, at least.
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