I have never been empaneled. A few years ago I got to the point of voir dire — I was asked “why is presumption of innocence important?” I answered “it is all that stands between a defendant and the State’s unlimited resources.” The prosecutor couldn’t bounce me fast enough...
Yup, they couldn’t bounce me fast enough either. The defense attorney asked me, “Juror #1, how do you FEEL about Assault and Battery?” I said, “I believe it is wrong.”
haha, out the door and FAST.
I have been empanelled 3 times here in Mass. at the Brocton court.
Each time I have told them I do not believe in the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. I explain the juror should be unbiased and the fact you asked a person to presume the defendant is innocent, until proven guilty is introducing a bias in favor of the defendant.
You should not do that: anymore than imply just because the person is on trial, that he was guilty of something,otherwise he wouldn't be on trial.
Jurors should be unbiased.
Then I go on to explain there is no constitutional or legal justification in American law for this assumption of innocence until proven guilty.
I never got put of a case and was empaneled each time. -tom