The Impartial Juror. Is It Even Possible?

I sincerely wonder in this advanced age of social media, Internet and high visibility media if in fact, anyone asked to sit on a jury can truly remain impartial?

The standard instruction during trial proceedings are to not to speak, discuss, visit any locations mentioned in the case, not to read any articles, Google any articles and watch or read any media concerning the case. Is that really something that we can truly expect to be upheld outside the confines of a courtroom? I mean in today's age, some can't visit the restroom without updating their Facebook or Twitter accounts!

The expectation of a fair and unbiased jury of your peers is largely based in trust and integrity. I'm just not sure that twelve people can realistically uphold that necessary responsibility. What is truly bothersome in my mind is the continued formation of "legal opinion" by those who only know what they read and assume rather than from the facts that have yet to be revealed. I'm placing a lot of weight on human nature over the steadfast ability to remain truly impartial.

Any thoughts from both sides of the fence on this issue?

A Land of Kings

I was thinking of times when Kings ruled the lands. How that royalty stood above their people, made decisions and levied tax and punishment in order to control peace and tranquility amongst the kingdom. I often wonder if this was such a great system that provided what was best for the people, why did people call it tyranny and fled to this country to escape it?

I have to think that tyranny is alive and well, here in America. Big government making laws, taxing the people in order to maintain peace and tranquility amongst its people. After all, they do know what is best for us and have placed like a gazillion laws on the books to ensure our safety and control.

But the Kings of the Land exist today in America. They are the judges that sit in high courts; a sort of high royalty that sit on thrones above and untouched by the people of the land. When a person is brought before the King, they must rise and fall upon his command, not speak unless spoken to and is subject to the decisions that are made in their behalf. Sounds kind of archaic doesn't it? Yet the same holds true in modern times, in courts throughout the land. Those whom enter in these courts as defendants and citizens alike, must rise and fall at the command of the court. I often wonder how ordinary men and women become such kings? Are they immortals that have vision and knowledge beyond the common man? Have they been granted such authority because they have the ability to isolate themselves from the compassion's and emotions of the mere mortal man? Why is it that in a free society that a king should be able to command such extraordinary treatment over any other person under a constitution of equality? For example, are we constitutionally bound to rise when a judge enters the court? What is the penalty if one does not? I can understand that someone brought before the court may be required to rise and fall upon command; but what about the common citizen there to observe or support? In a free society, are we not free in our actions as long as they do not inflict harm upon another?

The power of the Kings is unlimited and far reaching. They can make determinations whether or not to hear your case before them. They issue strict time constraints on matters that can come before them; even in disputes of the decisions they have made. They make it impossible for the ordinary person with limited resources and knowledge of the laws, to have the ability to navigate the complicated twists and turns of the law in an attempt to correct a wrong. It appears that these Kings have forgotten, that they too. were once a simple mortal man, who lived and breathed like the rest of us. That a simple constitution of the people protects them from big government and the tyranny of the Kings.

So the next time that you visit the courts, if you must, try to avoid the commands of the court as a free citizen. If you are punished, then you are not free to do so under the laws imposed by the court. But if you rise and fall under fear; then tyranny is still alive and well in the Land of Kings.

To Blog or Not to Blog - That is the Question?

Well, it's been a while since I felt truly inspired to tap the keyboard on my own blog. It's not because I haven't had or shared meaningful thoughts, it just that I am not so sure that an individual blog, such as this, serves much purpose beyond my own satisfaction.

I do regularly comment in group forums and articles with other like minded persons. That interaction is or seems much more rewarding. I suppose, unlike on this blog, when I write or comment, there is returned commentary and opinion. As with any good topic or conversation, there is interaction with the readers; not just my thoughts simply posted for the sake of posting. It's kind of like having a "venting moment" in an empty room; it sort of feels good to get it out, but doesn't accomplish anything useful or inspires any heart felt response.

So the question is, do I continue to blog on my own, trying to reach out to others that may not be in my current circle of comrades that are already passionate about similar topics, in the hope that something that is written will bring in someone new whom will share their opinion?  I guess I will wait and see what YOU think. Come on, share your thoughts. Dare to care about the things that just don't make sense in our current system of injustice.

I know that you know someone in your life that has been dealt an unfair hand of justice. Someone that has had their life turned upside down and turned inside out because justice was not properly served. Perhaps someone that was totally innocent that was forced by fear to plead guilty to avoid the risk of a jury trial? I know that you know someone like this. It's time to discuss it and help remedy this problem before another innocent life is unnecessarily destroyed. Because behind every individual that is destroyed by injustice are their families, loved ones and children that become the collateral damage; the unprotected and unnoticed victims of injustice.

Got an opinion? Share it. Think I am wasting my efforts and web space? Then tell me. My mission is to make a difference and let people know that they don't have to stand or suffer alone. The numbers are greater than you think!

Merry Christmas and hope to see you here next year!

JF

Prosecutorial Oversight: New York City event - Hour One

Prosecutorial Oversight: New York City event - Hour Two

And you wonder why things just don't change. How can we expect lawyers, prosecutors and judges to expose one of their own? It's no different than the "blue wall of silence" in law enforcement. Everyone has each others back! They know better than anyone that accountability will kill their ability to operate and control the system. A defendant stands alone against a system that is designed and allowed to protect itself and that is immune from all accountability. How can anyone be assured fair treatment when, as John Thompson puts it, "you just water down the misconduct and makes it a harmless mistake"! Sure they are sad that Thompson lost many good years of his life and how it nearly cost him his life, but you know, the judge has a case load of 2oo cases and it's really not possible to read all the discovery and that perhaps prosecutors need more training on how to ensure that they don't impede upon someones' constitutional rights and their presumption of innocence! Bull Shit! What training is required to recognize the difference between the truth and a lie? These people are only concerned with their careers, their political power and positions and the profits that let them to continue to live their so-called honorable and respected lives above everyone else.

If you haven't picked it up from their own words, then you are still missing the message here!