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To: Bonaparte
Actually, unless you're seeking to flim flam a jury, I don't really see a problem with lawyers on a jury. (On a civil trial, I sure would keep plaintiff's lawyers like Edwards off my jury if I were defending, or insurance company lawyers if I were a plaintiff's attorney . . . but that has to do with their pre-judging the case, not being a lawyer.)

My dad practiced law for 50+ years before his retirement, he has served on several juries - civil and criminal. And one of our local federal judges, Judge Evans, served on an armed robbery trial awhile back. Nobody seemed to mind. If anything, I think a fair-minded lawyer would bend over backwards to follow the judge's instructions and require the correct burden of proof.

It's more important to strike the kooks, the prejudiced, and the self-important know-it-alls from the jury. Of course, those categories often overlap when you're talking about lawyers . . . :-D . . . but I wouldn't strike a lawyer on voir dire if he seemed like a sensible fellow.

233 posted on 08/02/2004 11:38:51 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: AnAmericanMother

I have no problem with anything you've said. I think a jury should be a representative cross-section of the community as nearly as possible and without going overboard. If an unbiased jury is unlikely to be empanelled, then trial venue should be changed.


243 posted on 08/02/2004 12:19:27 PM PDT by Bonaparte
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