VP Biden arrives in Wilmington for jury duty

[LynneSin]

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20110124/NEWS/110124013/VP-Biden-arrives-in-Wilmington-for-jury-duty

VP Biden arrives in Wilmington for jury duty

Vice President Joe Biden reported for jury duty with the Superior Court of Delaware this morning at the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington.

The Superior Court has statewide jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases, including most felonies and drug offenses.

Biden will participate in the standard jury selection process in his capacity as a private citizen, a White House aide said.

Don't yout hink the guy could find a decent excuse to get out of Jury Duty?

[Jackpine Radical]

1. I think he's trying to set an example.

I doubt he'll be seated on a jury, though.

[karynnj]

26. You would think not --- but in 2005, Senator Kerry was actually on a jury

As most of the real articles are archived by their sources, here is the DU JK thread - which has quotes from many of them. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=273&topic_id=54514

[Brickbat]

2. I'm happy to see him do his duty, and fully expect him to be excused.

[monmouth]

3. Supreme Court Justice Kagen reported last week...LOL...n/t

[sabbat hunter]

4. He should be applauded

for not using an excuse to get out of jury duty.
I highly doubt he will be selected to serve on a jury and will likely be quickly dismissed, but I applaud him for doing his civic duty.

[MineralMan]

5. Why would anyone try to get out of jury duty?

I've never understood that. If people who are intelligent and successful avoid jury duty, who will be on the juries? It's a duty we should all embrace as part of our responsibilities as citizens. I've been on three juries, and have found it to be an educational and useful experience. In one trial, I helped keep an innocent man from being convicted. That seems worthwhile to me.

[LynneSin]

6. I wouldn't have minded it if I could take my ipod with me

but even that isn't allowed. Just sitting there isn't something I find entertaining.

[NYC Liberal]

8. Wow, really? Damn.

Here in New York they let us bring our laptops and had wireless internet set up.

I can't imagine if they didn't let us bring an iPod...because the one TV in the room was tuned to Faux...

[LynneSin]

9. no wireless and oh, no cell phones either

:cry:

[MineralMan]

11. Unless I'm mistaken, I think you're supposed to be paying

attention to the proceedings. I don't think an ipod makes a lot of sense.

[LynneSin]

I'm paying attention when they call off names

other than that I sit in a room and do nothing but wait for them to call another group of names.

[MineralMan]

17. I take a book with me, and read during waiting times.

But, then, I like to read. I also find it interesting to talk to other people who are waiting to be called. Usually, I do that mostly, rather than read. Conversation is good. The reason electronics aren't allowed is because you can't take them into the jury box when you are called. What would they do with them? There are very good reasons for them not being allowed while you're serving on a jury. Communications beyond the jury are not allowed, to avoid tainting the jury.

Every jurisdiction, though, has its own rules, so the ban on electronic devices may not be in place in some areas.

[LynneSin]

30. I had 3 books and 2 crossword puzzle books

I just like my music :D

[Dappleganger]

10. I get called pretty regularly...

and am always dismissed. For some stupid reason it's nearly always family court and most folks know me there (I used to be a Guardian ad Litem volunteer).

[MineralMan]

12. I've been dismissed more often than I've actually served on a jury.

That's the system. Still, I'm happy to show up. It's one of our duties. If we're not willing to sit on juries, then how can we expect an impartial, willing jury if we need one? I've just never understood people's antics in trying to avoid jury duty. Yes, it can be inconvenient, but think how inconvenient it is for the person sitting there expecting justice. Now, that's inconvenience.

I understand why you were dismissed, of course.

[Dappleganger]

13. It's always amazing to me how many complain so much

about serving, yet also complain about the justice system. Here's the one time where a person can make a difference and be a good juror, and they want to ditch it? I don't get that.

BTW, it can be pretty traumatic--a friend of mine served on a capital murder trial jury (she's anti-death penalty) and it still bothers her a lot.

[MineralMan]

20. I've never served on a capital murder case. I'm truthful during

voir dire about my absolute opposition to the death penalty, so I'm automatically disqualified from such cases.

[madmom]

16. I agree MM, I've sat on 3 juries and found them all VERY educational. Although,

I've been told that the chances of actually being seated on a jury is about the same as winning the lottery, since I've sat on 3 and have been called several more times, can I have my winnings now?:hide: :rofl:

[MineralMan]

21. You'll receive your $12 per diem payment within three months.

:rofl:

[Statistical]

23. "If people who are intelligent and successful avoid jury duty, who will be on the juries? "

EXACTLY!

It is suppose to be a Jury of your peers, not a jury of the portion of the population who is either too stupid to get out of Jury duty or simply has nothing better to do.

[alarimer]

37. I hated being on a jury; they are a joke.

My fellow jurors made a snap judgment that the guy was guilty and did not even deliberate. It was clear that they had made up their minds during the trial (which we are not supposed to do). Juries are a fucking joke.

[Ian David]

7. If they make him foreman, deliberation will take forever. n/t

[LynneSin]

14. could you imagine having Joe Biden on your Jury

and you're there being charged with a crime.

I'd just tell the judge I want to change my plea to guilty even if I wasn't.

[madmom]

19. Not necessarily so. I would hope my lawyer has a damned good

defense because I would think the VP would be a very fair thinking juror.

[Ian David]

32. The good news is, lawyers don't charge by the hour while the jury is deliberating, do they? n/t

[forty6]

15. I think any Prosecution OR Defense team would ask that he be excused

He's just to much of a person of notoriety for a trail to go forward without distraction because of who he is.

I'm glad he answered the call. I'm sure he could have asked to be excused.

[LynneSin]

22. I can see Joe hanging out in the Jury lounge smoozing the the others who were called

He's probably having a blast right now. I should go over there for coffee at the Dunkin Donuts they have in the building and see if he's around.

[Statistical]

18. Why SHOULD he "get out of Jury Duty"?

Even the words "get out" implies it is some kind of burden. Something best avoided or something people "escape from".

Maybe he is just showing that it is a civic duty. Something we should all do when asked.

Good for Biden.

[forty6]

27. I agree, we all should REPORT... I have been called 3 times in my life, and

I reported, but was never chosen for a case. I would LOVE to sit on a case.

[Statistical]

28. I wasn't picked either the one time I was called.

Employer offered paid time off so it wouldn't have even been a burden.

I would have been interested to do it at least once. If I am ever picked for a drug possession charge I might even consider nullification (depending on the circumstances). They didn't even give me a reason. I think I was one of their automatic dismissals.

[forty6]

29. A friend of mine got excused because he claimed he feared black people... he lied just to

get out of serving,even tho his employer would have paid him full salary, he just lied to get out of it.

In the end, I guess he doesn't have the honesty of character I would want in a juror either.

[Renew Deal]

24. Shouldn't he be excused.

I mean, he is the VP.

[LynneSin]

31. Shouldn't I be excused...

I mean in my world I'm VP of everything I see

:rofl:

[blondeatlast]

25. Good for him! Imagine if Cheney had been called--all hell would have broken loose!

I'm sure the Vice President has sufficient reason to be excused but still, that's a REALLY good example to set. Perhaps if the trial were expected to last a single day (many do), but probably not a good candidate for sequestration... :rofl:

[cbdo2007]

33. I'm jealous! I've never been called for Jury Duty and I'll be happy to go when I am.

[alp227]

34. now both Obama and Biden have been called to Jury duty

Around this week in January 2010 Obama was summoned to Chicago court for JD.

[jillan]

35. I think it's great when people in the Senate, VP office and the Supreme Ct set an example.

[alarimer]

36. Doesn't he live in Washington?

I'm thinking he's not actually a resident of Delaware at the moment. He is the Vice President and not a Senator anymore.

[tavalon]

38. He's setting a really good example here.