Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
69 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Could you be a fair juror at trump's trial? (Original Post) StarryNite Apr 15 OP
the evidence will speak clearly Tetrachloride Apr 15 #1
NOPE! Rebl2 Apr 16 #68
Same here. leftieNanner Apr 15 #2
On the contrary... Jirel Apr 15 #5
No.. agingdem Apr 16 #54
Most everyone could. Jirel Apr 15 #3
No and there is no way I would ever be seated. Wonder if they can ask who a potential juror voted for. efhmc Apr 15 #4
They have access to your primary voting records, political donations and your social media. LeftInTX Apr 15 #12
And the prosecutor will strike Republicans. former9thward Apr 15 #22
Exactly LeftInTX Apr 15 #24
Hypothetically, could the prosecutor use a clue by 4 to strike them? Like, really hard? Hermit-The-Prog Apr 15 #25
Absolutely Ohio Joe Apr 15 #6
I am not 100% sure that I could put all of my personal feelings aside. Chainfire Apr 15 #7
Yes, I could. Lunabell Apr 15 #8
Yes bdamomma Apr 16 #58
I think so. 50 Shades Of Blue Apr 15 #9
I would listen to the facts pfitz59 Apr 15 #10
I'd have to 'fess up and say "I have an immediate and negative reaction to him, Torchlight Apr 15 #11
100% Johnny2X2X Apr 15 #13
What he said! ;) Chainfire Apr 16 #62
"I cannot respect anyone who uses baby shit as facial makeup" RainCaster Apr 15 #14
Could I be a fair and impartial juror for Trump? Absolutely. Xavier Breath Apr 15 #15
Sure, innocent until proven guilty. dem4decades Apr 15 #16
Yep. He's not worth undermining my principles. -misanthroptimist Apr 15 #17
No 0rganism Apr 15 #18
Yes, I think I could. Midnight Writer Apr 15 #19
Yes Kaleva Apr 15 #20
It will be tough to come up with 12 jurors that both sides believe will not be biased. honest.abe Apr 15 #21
Not a chance 3catwoman3 Apr 15 #23
No (nt) appmanga Apr 15 #26
I could, but my participation here on DU would likely DQ me and I would getagrip_already Apr 15 #27
Would they ask about du? ecstatic Apr 15 #44
I believe they ask where you get your news from and what social media sites you frequent getagrip_already Apr 16 #64
Yes Progressive dog Apr 15 #28
While most of us like to think we could overcome our biases and examine the evidence fairly ... eallen Apr 15 #29
To answer your question: PCIntern Apr 15 #30
Yes, I feel very strongly that the rule of law supercedes political positions or beliefs. patphil Apr 15 #31
The basic facts are clear AncientOfDays Apr 15 #32
Nope Blue Idaho Apr 15 #33
Unless there's some shockingly new evidence... Think. Again. Apr 15 #34
No way. nt doc03 Apr 15 #35
But you wouldn't be picked MadameButterfly Apr 15 #36
ignorance seems like what may get picked... consider_this Apr 15 #37
I don't think you're elite or snobby MadameButterfly Apr 16 #48
Well said! consider_this Apr 16 #61
Nope. nt Baltimike Apr 15 #38
I hope so. Mz Pip Apr 15 #39
Absolutely. W_HAMILTON Apr 15 #40
Nope. BigmanPigman Apr 15 #41
I can listen to the evidence and weigh the facts. Emile Apr 15 #42
My vote would be guilty. ecstatic Apr 15 #43
My friend used to say tavernier Apr 15 #45
NO! liberalla Apr 16 #46
No n/t shanti Apr 16 #47
I think I could dsc Apr 16 #49
Absolutely of course. betsuni Apr 16 #50
Absolutely. Positively. Because ... * Oopsie Daisy Apr 16 #51
yes, because Justice matters !!!!! bdamomma Apr 16 #66
I don't think I could Bettie Apr 16 #52
Ironic OP question, can Cheato get a fair trial. bucolic_frolic Apr 16 #53
Someone who lived in a cave, on a remote island, cutoff from civilization... Omnipresent Apr 16 #55
I would like to believe I could. Conjuay Apr 16 #56
I wonder if I'd be disqualified True Dough Apr 16 #57
I come from a family of lawyers ... SomewhereInTheMiddle Apr 16 #59
Yes. Buuuuut.... Happy Hoosier Apr 16 #60
Our real problem is exactly the opposite. Trump's best chance for a victory lies in a hung jury. Chainfire Apr 16 #63
Interesting question. LAS14 Apr 16 #65
I would like to say yes, but I'm not at all confident I could be. Fla Dem Apr 16 #67
Hell no Iris Apr 16 #69

agingdem

(7,850 posts)
54. No..
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 07:04 AM
Apr 16

The thought of being in the same courtroom with that psychopath for a day (newer mind weeks) makes my skin crawl..

Jirel

(2,018 posts)
3. Most everyone could.
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 03:38 PM
Apr 15

Look, an impartial juror is not an ignorant or opinionated juror. There are no blank slates, when it comes to major celebs/politicians/cases.

LeftInTX

(25,391 posts)
12. They have access to your primary voting records, political donations and your social media.
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 03:55 PM
Apr 15

They will strike Biden donors, Letitia James donors, Democratic donors, Democratic supporters on social media.

Chainfire

(17,553 posts)
7. I am not 100% sure that I could put all of my personal feelings aside.
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 03:46 PM
Apr 15

That wouldn't be for just Trump, but in any trial. We bring our baggage to the court houses whether we admit it or not. Stranger In A Strange Land found away around that problem, when they trained "Fair Witnesses." from birth to only hear the facts and repeat only what they personally know to be true. Unfortunately we ain't there yet.

Lunabell

(6,089 posts)
8. Yes, I could.
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 03:46 PM
Apr 15

Because I believe in law and order. I believe in our court system. I believe that nobody is above or below the law and it should be applied equally to all. I know I could and if the evidence is not there I would acquit. As much as I despise him, I would follow the law.

bdamomma

(63,883 posts)
58. Yes
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 07:25 AM
Apr 16

The law and the facts matter. For me, I hate the guy, I don't think I could do it. I wouldn't mind being a spectator.

Torchlight

(3,343 posts)
11. I'd have to 'fess up and say "I have an immediate and negative reaction to him,
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 03:53 PM
Apr 15

to his voice, and to even hearing his name. If this court finds that acceptable, by all means seat me. If not, I get it."

I think as a juror, if I could avoid looking at him, and concentrate on the prosecution and defense's points of order, I'd be pretty level-headed about everything. But as soon as he opens his mouth, my objectivity would jump out the window faster than a Depression-era broker.

RainCaster

(10,887 posts)
14. "I cannot respect anyone who uses baby shit as facial makeup"
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 03:58 PM
Apr 15

That's what I would tell the defense attorney.

It's pretty close to my feelings about the man.

-misanthroptimist

(811 posts)
17. Yep. He's not worth undermining my principles.
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 04:08 PM
Apr 15

If the prosecution provides evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, he's guilty. If the prosecution fails to produce that evidence, he's not guilty. There's no other way to work it if one has respect for the Rule of Law.

0rganism

(23,957 posts)
18. No
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 04:08 PM
Apr 15

Heat of 10000 white hot suns or something like that. There's just no way I could listen to his lawyers presenting weak-ass excuses and feeble apologetics without falling from my chair laughing or jumping out of the jury box to douse the defense table with the court's carafe of hot coffee in a fit of rage.

Wouldn't work out well for anyone really, I'm glad I'm not in the jury pool.

Midnight Writer

(21,770 posts)
19. Yes, I think I could.
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 04:12 PM
Apr 15

My problem, as it has been in all the trials I have served as a juror, is when the other jurors choose to ignore the facts or bring some irrelevant personal history that they cite as a reason for their decision.

I sat on a jury for a wrongful death suit against a nursing home. One of the jurors trotted out this fantasy that the nursing home was run by the Mafia and they would send out assassins to murder anyone that "stood up" to them. We spent hours in the deliberations trying to get this single juror to focus on the evidence presented to us instead of some story she heard years before. She finally gave in only because she was not allowed to smoke during deliberations and she was having a nicotine fit.

honest.abe

(8,679 posts)
21. It will be tough to come up with 12 jurors that both sides believe will not be biased.
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 04:19 PM
Apr 15

I have a feeling jury selection wont get done today.

3catwoman3

(24,007 posts)
23. Not a chance
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 04:30 PM
Apr 15

Maybe I should be able to be a better person than that, but I’m absolutely certain I couldn’t do it.

getagrip_already

(14,766 posts)
27. I could, but my participation here on DU would likely DQ me and I would
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 04:45 PM
Apr 15

not pass the jury selection process.

We are just too biased as a group, no matter how we feel we could stand in judgement individually.

getagrip_already

(14,766 posts)
64. I believe they ask where you get your news from and what social media sites you frequent
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 10:29 AM
Apr 16

I suppose you could forget to mention one or two. But you are looking directly at a judge when doing it. You have a team of investigators pouring over your life in the background.

Is perjury worth it?

And who knows, there may be people so far left they will use up their 10 challenges and you could slip by being honest.

eallen

(2,953 posts)
29. While most of us like to think we could overcome our biases and examine the evidence fairly ...
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 04:45 PM
Apr 15

Courts are quite correct to exclude jurors with biases. Given my various posts on Trump, I would be excluded from serving on any of his juries. With cause.

Which is no slight to me. I quite understand why courts work that way.


PCIntern

(25,556 posts)
30. To answer your question:
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 04:46 PM
Apr 15

I was a member of the honor board when I was in professional school. We would hear cases of ostensible cheating, and plagiarism. One guy in my class was a known cheat, there was absolutely no question. He cheated on many of his exams and projects and a number of us actually witnessed him doing so.

A Case was brought to our board concerning him, and the evidence was flimsy to be generous. When it was my turn to speak, I said that I knew he was a cheat and a liar, but this evidence in this particular case didn’t prove it and I vote to acquit him. The rest of the board did as well . You do what you have to do at the moment when you do it.

That being said, if I were on this jury, I would give him a fair hearing and then I would vote to convict no matter what ar CD Abe arguments the defense articulated. This man is a danger to our universe.

patphil

(6,184 posts)
31. Yes, I feel very strongly that the rule of law supercedes political positions or beliefs.
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 04:46 PM
Apr 15

Otherwise we are fooling ourselves into believing we are on the high road, when we aren't.
The evidence is what directs a jury, not individual beliefs.
If we are to survive as a nation, we need to hold fast to the rule of law.

Think. Again.

(8,191 posts)
34. Unless there's some shockingly new evidence...
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 05:00 PM
Apr 15

...or twist of applicable law I haven't heard of, I think I would be very fair to find him guilty.

MadameButterfly

(1,062 posts)
36. But you wouldn't be picked
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 05:08 PM
Apr 15

if you tell them you are on DU

it scares me to think how dumbed down a jury must be in the interests of eliminating bias

consider_this

(2,203 posts)
37. ignorance seems like what may get picked...
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 05:58 PM
Apr 15

like you said:

it scares me to think how dumbed down a jury must be in the interests of eliminating bias

my thoughts exactly. I worry it is going to be folks that are clueless about current events, politics, etc, and I extrapolate that out to worry/assume the chosen will be dullards. Of course, I hope not, and that is probably just elitist of me to guess this might be what happens, but, alas - confession is good for the soul? Hopefully y'all won't shred me up here for this thought. I am self-aware that it sounds snobby or even dumb on my part to think this.

MadameButterfly

(1,062 posts)
48. I don't think you're elite or snobby
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 04:10 AM
Apr 16

The best minds for a jury should be engaged citizens who are informed about the world around them and adept at logic. There are lots of us out there and we'd do a great job on a jury.

But this is exactly whet a Trump lawyer must avoid. He/she wants someone who had bought into a few conspiracies and doesn't know that Trump is a crook and a spy. You have to be a bit dull to qualify.

If he can get one die-hard MAGA who passes under the radar, he's won.

Most of all I hope for this jury to have the courage to convict despite the threats. I don't know if you get courage and principles from the people who meet these critieria. We can hope. And if they come through, I'll eat all my words of judgement and give them their due.

consider_this

(2,203 posts)
61. Well said!
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 08:34 AM
Apr 16

Seems like I've been breathlessly hoping for (and expecting) justice in too, too many cases since 'Fitzmas' that don't pan out, but yet I keep holding out hope - maybe this time.

Mz Pip

(27,451 posts)
39. I hope so.
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 06:01 PM
Apr 15

I respect our laws and know that everyone is entitled to a fair trial. But I probably wouldn’t be chosen.

tavernier

(12,393 posts)
45. My friend used to say
Mon Apr 15, 2024, 09:38 PM
Apr 15

I wouldn’t spit on him if he was on fire.

Well, being as I am a retired nurse, but still carry my vows to do no harm, I might honk up a huge Lugi. Hope it helps.

dsc

(52,163 posts)
49. I think I could
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 06:19 AM
Apr 16

that said, I would never, ever be chosen. I am a teacher and kids who behave poorly get the grades they earn which sometimes is an A. The numbers are what the numbers are.

Bettie

(16,111 posts)
52. I don't think I could
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 06:52 AM
Apr 16

and I'd be honest about that.

My DH can separate that stuff, I can't always, and Trump has done so much harm to so many, that it would be impossible for me to separate it all out.

bucolic_frolic

(43,196 posts)
53. Ironic OP question, can Cheato get a fair trial.
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 07:00 AM
Apr 16

Only reason he sells Bibles and courts preachers is to shield his actions from scrutiny.

See? I can be fair.

Omnipresent

(5,716 posts)
55. Someone who lived in a cave, on a remote island, cutoff from civilization...
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 07:08 AM
Apr 16

Could listen to the evidence and think, that there was something seriously wrong with this man.

Conjuay

(1,392 posts)
56. I would like to believe I could.
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 07:20 AM
Apr 16

But I doubt I could.

But I would work hard to be selected; I'd sit in the jury box and glare at him, with a look like his own mug shot.

True Dough

(17,311 posts)
57. I wonder if I'd be disqualified
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 07:25 AM
Apr 16

after showing up for jury selection wearing this T-shirt? Not subtle enough?

59. I come from a family of lawyers ...
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 07:48 AM
Apr 16

... though I am not one myself.

We have a family culture of arguing, often presenting the case for ideas and opinions you do not personally hold or agree with.

This has made me somewhat legalistic. What the law says and what plain language or common sense say may not be the same thing and I am willing to think of things in legal/not legal terms rather than right/wrong if put in a position to do so.

That pseudo-legalistic background might be enough to get me struck from a jury. Add on my educational and professional background and my occasional forays into political discussion and it is not likely I would be chosen by either side.

Oddly enough, I was in the on-call jury pool for the nearby federal court last month. I had some fear I would be selected for some high-profile case. But I was never called to come to court, much less selected for a jury. I wonder if my background, which was supplied in the jury questionnaire, had anything to do with it? Or if it was just luck of the draw.

I am glad I am not up for selection on this or any of the Trump juries, but I feel I could be legally impartial if I were.

Happy Hoosier

(7,329 posts)
60. Yes. Buuuuut....
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 07:55 AM
Apr 16

I am pretty convinced he is guilty. I expect the evidence will show that. But if the case fell flat on its face, I'd follow the evidence.

Chainfire

(17,553 posts)
63. Our real problem is exactly the opposite. Trump's best chance for a victory lies in a hung jury.
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 10:29 AM
Apr 16

From a juror who believes that, regardless of the evidence, that Donald Trump can not be found guilty of a crime because he is not subject to the laws of mortal men.

I couldn't judge him fairly just as I could not judge Hitler or Pol Pot fairly. I would, however, to honor the man's business acumen, be willing to sell souvenir T shirts at his execution.

LAS14

(13,783 posts)
65. Interesting question.
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 10:33 AM
Apr 16

I know I would WANT him to be guilty. I'm sure I would listen to every bit of evidence from the prosecution sympathetically.

But, if I understand the issue here, I can imagine that they didn't prove BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, that the payments were for the campaign and not to keep peace in his marriage. I can imagine this trial getting very messy.

Fla Dem

(23,693 posts)
67. I would like to say yes, but I'm not at all confident I could be.
Tue Apr 16, 2024, 10:52 AM
Apr 16

No matter how much the defense would argue and point out holes in the prosecution case, I just couldn't believe them. There are so many lies perpetrated by Trump, I don't think an honest word would ever be forthcoming from him or his attorneys.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Could you be a fair juror...