[NatureGirl]

the dumbing-down of the populace (and by extension, the jurors);

This is a frightening thought. I asked myself the other day, "Do I know twelve people ("peers") that I would consider level and logical enough, uninfluenced enough by the media to be jurors, if I were ever tried for something?" Heck, I don't know 12 people like that, let alone having to put any faith in twelve yoohoos off the street!

[Freedom2specul8]

If they are smart enough to *follow* the judge's instructions... they shouldn't be influenced by media...unles you are considering how much the media has influenced their ''so called'' education in the years leading up to that point. I'd LOVE to speak to consultants who study jury psychology to find out if they have changed the way they are interviewed..dumbed down voir dire questions etc.. Would be interesting would it!

[meadsjn]

"Do I know twelve people ("peers") that I would consider level and logical enough, uninfluenced enough by the media to be jurors, if I were ever tried for something?"

I'd have to answer, "No, not in any one local jury pool." This makes it all the more important for us to stay involved in our civic duties, to keep voting, showing up for jury duty, and educating our families, friends, and neighbors, and ourselves.