And while we're at it, fine jewelers!
Posted on 04/20/2005 8:54:40 AM PDT by Bigfitz
LOS ANGELES -- A juror was cited for contempt and fined $1,000 by a judge for yawning loudly while awaiting questioning in an attempted murder trial. The fine later was reduced to $100.
The yawn came after the man, identified as Juror No. 2386 in an April 1 court transcript, had been sitting in a courtroom for two days as part of jury selection.
"You yawned rather audibly there. As a matter of fact, it was to the point that it was contemptuous," Superior Court Judge Craig Veals said.
"I'm sorry, but I'm really bored," the juror said.
"I'm sorry?" the judge responded.
When the juror repeated his statement, he was admonished by the judge for having a "lousy" attitude.
"Your boredom just cost you $1,000 I'm finding you in contempt," Veals said. "Are you quite so bored now?"
The judge later called the yawn disruptive.
"I can't run a court when I have someone behaving the way you did," Veals said.
The juror paid the fine after it was reduced to $100. Ultimately, he was questioned but not selected for the trial.
"Please, use the word crepitate. It is so much more dignified."
I do see your point- I just think the present system is wrong, and to your argument that it might produce a bad system I say: Look at the current system- can it be worse than this?
I can't afford to take off for potentially weeks or months for a tiral- so I could never be a juror- but I would sign up to be considered for 'paid' service...
I think the cost would be less than all the wasted time and money in the current system, result in speedier trials, and the result would be no worse than the current system (hopefully better)
I am open to other suggestions...
Yes, it can, frankly. What would happen if a non-profit "activist organization" emerged which submitted groups of applicants to become paid jurors, in order to enact Social Justice? ("Remember, when you're a juror, always vote to acquit, because the police are The Man, and this is your chance to fight back." "Remember, always vote against big corporations." "Remember, always vote against the Radical Christians who are Trying to Destroy America.")
At this point, a random draw is basically the best we can do.
How about "excuse me", which would be short for "excuse me for disrupting this public proceeding".
Sheesh. People around here complain about popular exclusion from the judicial process, and then complain about having to participate.
I've told several that they are corrupt to their faces in open court. Never been held in contempt. Was threatened with it once, but the judge wasn't going to go there; mostly because he knew I wanted to be held in contempt.
(In Nelson's voice)
HA HA
I'm currently on a fed Civil case - $40 a day plus milage AND parking!
While it's somewhat peeved me to learn the amount was so high, I just think of it as a bonus tax return :)
OK I'll go for that-
total RANDOM DRAW
but the pay would have to be better thanthe $5 a day they give now. When was that established? 1800?
Maybe a punk, but that pissy little judge might have gotten a good ole FU from a lot of folks.
It varies by locality; some pay more than others. In some places, you are excused from jury duty if your employer won't treat it as paid vacation.
It makes me sick to my stomoach that a judge (or anyone for that matter) can have such powers.
And while we're at it, fine jewelers!
Schoolchildren are annoyed when teachers try to keep order, too.
that'll be fine
< Um...you are paid when you serve on a Jury >
Let me be more clear...let's have "professional" juries. You know, as in payed a salary...not $12 a day. It's not a new idea. The idea gets tossed about ocassionally.
The reply was less than brilliant, though depending upon voicing may or may not have been condescending. A more general question would be whether it is good for jurors to be worn out with boredom even before a trial begins.
"I prefer "expel flatus.""
I don't know why but that line really tickled my funny bone.
I have a fun toy called a "fart machine" It's especially funny in crowded elevators. I could have a blast with it in that judges courtroom.
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