So, Jim, this jury I was on...

[Doktor Howl]

My first summons I was 19 year old, still living in Florida. I had to miss school for 2 weeks and fell behind. The case was domestic abuse...typical Florida White Trash. I was the youngest one on the jury, but I still just remember sitting there and just being totally disgusted at the situation.

On the plus side, you can learn a lot from these things...In an unpleasant fashion, granted, but certainly not as unpleasantly as going through them yourself.

[bds]

Mmm. I think that's sort of one of the problems with just learning about the system, sure, you can learn the laws, and apply them to given scenarios in exams and stuff, but there's no emotion. There's nobody relying on your verdict, you're not handing out justice, there's no deliberation or outside factors to consider, there's a clear right answer at the end.

And yeah. I sort of hope I do get picked to do it at some point during my life, y'know, just for the experience.

This is precisely it.  When you're actually there, it's not longer theory and hypotheticals.  It's a collection of damaged and destroyed lives, and it's on you to decide what the state will do about it.  

And the opposing lawyers, well, they eat lunch together and talk about football.  As you'd expect.

Yeah. As much as I think I know about the theory (not so much any more, incidentally. i never was very good at remembering stuff) I have literally no idea how I'd respond to being tasked with that kind of responsibility. Like, if I fuck up now, at the most I might upset a couple people, I might cause some shit, whatever. But in that situation, where you have to pick up the pieces of whatever pile up is coming through at that time, that's a whole lot of responsibility, y'know? I don't know if I'd be able to handle it, to be honest.

[Suu]

Oh fuck yeah. I learned never to marry an alcoholic from Ohio twice my age who was fooling around with his niece.

[Doktor Howl]

Oh fuck yeah. I learned never to marry an alcoholic from Ohio twice my age who was fooling around with his niece.

And perhaps you learned some of the basic warning signs of an abusive relationship.

[Doktor Howl]

Mmm. I think that's sort of one of the problems with just learning about the system, sure, you can learn the laws, and apply them to given scenarios in exams and stuff, but there's no emotion. There's nobody relying on your verdict, you're not handing out justice, there's no deliberation or outside factors to consider, there's a clear right answer at the end.

And yeah. I sort of hope I do get picked to do it at some point during my life, y'know, just for the experience.

This is precisely it.  When you're actually there, it's not longer theory and hypotheticals.  It's a collection of damaged and destroyed lives, and it's on you to decide what the state will do about it.  

And the opposing lawyers, well, they eat lunch together and talk about football.  As you'd expect.

Yeah. As much as I think I know about the theory (not so much any more, incidentally. i never was very good at remembering stuff) I have literally no idea how I'd respond to being tasked with that kind of responsibility. Like, if I fuck up now, at the most I might upset a couple people, I might cause some shit, whatever. But in that situation, where you have to pick up the pieces of whatever pile up is coming through at that time, that's a whole lot of responsibility, y'know? I don't know if I'd be able to handle it, to be honest.

Anyone who thinks they are able to handle it has no business on a jury.  You manage, as best you can, and you (hopefully) try to remember that an accusation does not equal guilt, and the severity of the crime also does not equal evidence of guilt.  The real difficulty lies in leaving sympathy and prejudice at the door.

[BabylonHoruv]

Well, on the plus side you got to participate in absolving an innocent officer of guilt for doing his job the way he was supposed to.

Small consolation for having to see that level of tragedy I am sure, but still better than if someone who had a hatred of police officers had ended up on the jury instead.

[Doktor Howl]

Well, on the plus side you got to participate in absolving an innocent officer of guilt for doing his job the way he was supposed to.

Small consolation for having to see that level of tragedy I am sure, but still better than if someone who had a hatred of police officers had ended up on the jury instead.

I really don't like cops.  I was able to leave that at the door.

[Suu]

Oh fuck yeah. I learned never to marry an alcoholic from Ohio twice my age who was fooling around with his niece.

And perhaps you learned some of the basic warning signs of an abusive relationship.

So what color should I wear to the divorce tomorrow?

[Thurnez Isa]

Oh fuck yeah. I learned never to marry an alcoholic from Ohio twice my age who was fooling around with his niece.

And perhaps you learned some of the basic warning signs of an abusive relationship.

So what color should I wear to the divorce tomorrow?

FLAMBOYANT!!!

[Doktor Howl]

Oh fuck yeah. I learned never to marry an alcoholic from Ohio twice my age who was fooling around with his niece.

And perhaps you learned some of the basic warning signs of an abusive relationship.

So what color should I wear to the divorce tomorrow?

Red, obviously.  But I don't see Herbert surviving an attempt to physically abuse you.

[LMNO]

Yeah, I believe that scarlet is traditional.

[Suu]

Oh fuck yeah. I learned never to marry an alcoholic from Ohio twice my age who was fooling around with his niece.

And perhaps you learned some of the basic warning signs of an abusive relationship.

So what color should I wear to the divorce tomorrow?

Red, obviously.  But I don't see Herbert surviving an attempt to physically abuse you.

He's not the type anyway.

[LMNO]

For laughs, say that as part of the settlement you want his WOW account.

[Suu]

I actually don't think he plays anymore. He learned his lesson, and that's good enough for me.

[Doktor Howl]

Oh fuck yeah. I learned never to marry an alcoholic from Ohio twice my age who was fooling around with his niece.

And perhaps you learned some of the basic warning signs of an abusive relationship.

So what color should I wear to the divorce tomorrow?

Red, obviously.  But I don't see Herbert surviving an attempt to physically abuse you.

He's not the type anyway.

Didn't think so.  You aren't the type of person to put up with physical abuse, so if he was the kind of guy to do it, he wouldn't have married you in the first place.  Wife beaters are a form of parasite, and they choose their hosts carefully...Hence all the stories of abused women taking the bastard back.