Jury selection
I'm new, so perhaps DU'ers have discussed this subject many times. But watching the 24/7 show trials like the Martin/Zimmerman case on TV I'm troubled by the jury process (which is only one part of the system) and have many doubts that justice can ever be carried out in the US under these conditions. Even more so, how can so many who do not understand and/or are too poor to have adequate defense ever hope for a fair trial. I also feel for the jurors, most of whom seem to take their difficult job seriously. But the questions they had to answer about their personal lives and beliefs are so ridiculous it's no wonder that most hate the whole business.
I was born in the US and have lived a long time, in large cities and small in seven states, registered and voted since 21, always have had a driver's license, involved in civic organizations, yet have been called only once (in Denver) and not selected. I know many people who have been called, and served, numerous times through the years.
If you've served, do you know how you were selected? And what did you think of the process? Do you have any ideas what Dems can do to make even small changes? Part of the problem is the awful way Public Defender funding has been cut. But even if we have good lawyers and judges it's the whole system including the sad correctional policies that needs reforming.
