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Just served for 9 days on a civil trial jury and it was quite interesting. Things that surprised me in ways I didn't expect:
1. Doctors will often simply give an opinion on a matter in favor of the party (plaintiff or defendant) who is paying them, regardless of truth. Actually seems a common practice.
2. Judges can be quite incompetent and irresponsible (literally falling asleep during proceedings).
3. The jury is not well informed on the true statement of the law they are trying to uphold. In my case, the judge read us the relevant law in effect and actually wrongly included large chunks he should not.have. Confusing.
4. Jury deliberation would seem wildly difficult in a criminal trial with 12 jury members. How do you get 12 people.to agree on issues that could result in jail time and /or death.
A civil trial with 6 jurors in a civil case is tough enough.
1. Doctors will often simply give an opinion on a matter in favor of the party (plaintiff or defendant) who is paying them, regardless of truth. Actually seems a common practice.
2. Judges can be quite incompetent and irresponsible (literally falling asleep during proceedings).
3. The jury is not well informed on the true statement of the law they are trying to uphold. In my case, the judge read us the relevant law in effect and actually wrongly included large chunks he should not.have. Confusing.
4. Jury deliberation would seem wildly difficult in a criminal trial with 12 jury members. How do you get 12 people.to agree on issues that could result in jail time and /or death.
A civil trial with 6 jurors in a civil case is tough enough.