11-04-2008, 03:08 PM
mikeylikesit wrote:
The idea that jurors should be penalized for any reason flies in the face of anything I can think of. Many people don't register to vote because they don't want to be subjected to jury duty. When the system can take a juror out of the electoral pool and subject that person to fines and jail, it only discourages participation.
Jury duty isn't a Tupperware party, where you serve donuts and hope people show up. It's a civic responsibility. People's lives and livelihoods are on the line. It's not pleasant, but it must be done, and it must be taken seriously. A major PITA I'll grant you, few people WANT to be put in a position to judge another, but you do what you gotta do.