Questions Asked to Potential Jurors

[sastark]

Yesterday, I had to go down to Orange County Superior Court as a potential juror on a criminal case. I've been on one jury before (also criminal), so I was somewhat familiar with the process. I was one of the first 12 called to sit in the jury box. Once we were seated, there was a list of questions the judge asked us to answer. Some of it was pretty basic: Age, Marital Status/Number of Children, Education, Occupation, Have I had any bad experiences with Law Enforcement/Courts/Jury Service, etc. However, one question which was asked was "Do you own any weapons or firearms?" I answered truthfully ("I do own firearms."), but I was wondering: is that proper? Can potential jurors be asked if they own firearms? If it matters: the case was a child molestation/other-nasty-crimes-against-children-type of case and there was no indication that firearms charges would be part of the case.

I was excused from jury duty by the defense attorney. I assume it was because when asked if there was any thing more the court should know about me that would affect my service as a juror I truthfully answered that I would have a very difficult time looking at the types of evidence that would be presented in the case. But, I was also the only one to answer that "I do own firearms" of about 20+ potential jurors (which was really interesting and sad to me). I was also the only one that had a Master's Degree (not sure if that mattered), and I also have young children.

So, is it normal for potential jurors to be asked if they own firearms? Is it legal to ask that? On the case that I served as a juror before, I do not remember being asked that (the previous jury duty was in Sacramento County many years ago).

[I open carry]

A smart person(Masters), and young kids is what got you kicked.

the Defense does not want you on the jury. You would never vote for them once any pic got shown.

The judge can ask any question he/she wants to that they think may sway your decision one way or the other.

[Rhythm of Life]

Just about everyone of my college professors never serves jury duty, they all get asked to leave once they find out their education. Smart minds are harder to mold.

[kln5]

yes the masters degree and young children is what got you the boot.
I was once asked in a Domestic violence case if we liked or participated in contact sports. They already picked 12 before they got to me but I thought it was an interesting question. One potential juror even asked the defense attorney about it but he got shrugged off.

[RandyD]

I am an attorney and I have done about 12 jury trials. In a general sense, attorneys want jurors they can persuade, and the more educated or analytical a juror is, the belief is they are more likely to come to their own conclusion rather than the one we want them to accept. One of the attorneys that trained me in jury selection always sought to excuse engineers and asians. He believed they were more analytical.

[snobord99]

I am an attorney and I have done about 12 jury trials. In a general sense, attorneys want jurors they can persuade, and the more educated or analytical a juror is, the belief is they are more likely to come to their own conclusion rather than the one we want them to accept. One of the attorneys that trained me in jury selection always sought to excuse engineers and asians. He believed they were more analytical.

The judge can ask you whatever he wants. If I were the defense attorney, I probably would have booted you just for the fact that you have young kids if it was a 288 case.

[ancora]

Sure fire way to get excused: when asked if you have any friends that are lawyers, you respond with : Lawyers have friends? Worked for me.

[ojisan]

I ended up on a jury for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder.
As I am a Violent Crime Victim, I was sure I would be thrown off the jury when the questions started.
None of the jurors were asked if they were a VCV.
After the attornies were done with their questions, the Judge then asked all jurors to raise their hands if they were a VCV.
I was very surprised, over half the jurors raised ther hands.
We were then asked if we could judge the case on its own facts, without prejudice.
Everyone said they could, and we all stayed on the jury.

The courts are desperate for quality jurors.

[swat]

I am a retired LEO and I get called for jury duty every 12 months or so. Obviously I don't get selected, but at the last one the defense attorney asked if anyone belonged to the NRA. I told them yes and was eliminated during the first round.

[dantodd]

I was picked as a juror. (admittedly it was late in the process and most peremptory excuses were used up)

It was a pretty big case and we had a 100 or so question questionnaire to fill out. I have a college education, worked in the technology industry, have small kids etc. etc.

Was asked about NRA membership, firearm ownership, civil liberties group ties (which I disclosed CGF as) etc.

Be honest and don't try to get on or off the jury. The defendant deserves a fair jury.

[scarville]

Correlation may not be causation but I an engineer and I am alway dismissed. About two or three or summons ago I smiled and chuckled a bit to myself after being dismissed and the judge asked what I thought was so funny. I told him that I am an engineer, I am always dismissed and, after the ninth or tenth time, what can I do but find some humor in it.

I don't believe any more that attorneys or judges give a rat's fanny about a fair jury; they want a pliable jury.

[magsnubby]

Smart minds are harder to mold.

That about says it all.

[Wherryj]

A smart person(Masters), and young kids is what got you kicked.

the Defense does not want you on the jury. You would never vote for them once any pic got shown.

The judge can ask any question he/she wants to that they think may sway your decision one way or the other.

That's strange. I often get called (nearly every year) and almost always they try to impanel me-and I have a doctorate.

[ZombieTactics]

The whole process disgusts me every time I go through it. The idea that somehow a "fair trial" can only been had if the attorneys are allowed to "cross-cherry-pick" juries is an offense to anyone with a mind uncorrupted by law school.

[SteveMartin]

Correlation may not be causation but I an engineer and I am alway dismissed. About two or three or summons ago I smiled and chuckled a bit to myself after being dismissed and the judge asked what I thought was so funny. I told him that I am an engineer, I am always dismissed and, after the ninth or tenth time, what can I do but find some humor in it.

I don't believe any more that attorneys or judges give a rat's fanny about a fair jury; they want a pliable jury.

I'm an engineer and have been on 2 jury trials (1 criminal, 1 civil). Each of them lasted 6 weeks+. The civil trial was last year, and the murder trial was 24 years ago. I have been in the courtroom as part of a jury in the intervening times, but never got seated those times.