[poncho-mike]

I haven't been called for jury duty in the 24 years since I've moved to the Raleigh area. When I lived in Stanly County before that, I got called about four times in ten years.

Each time I went, I was questioned by prosecutors and defense lawyers and ultimately dismissed. On the last trip, I decided to ask the prosecutor why I got dismissed every time.

He told me it was because I was an engineer. He said that defense attorneys don't like people who they would consider to be very logical, since they often want to play on the emotions of the jury. He said that prosecutors don't want engineers on cases they are trying where there is a lot of circumstantial evidence. Engineers are reluctant to convict if there are too many unanswered questions.

[Old Man Taylor]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

I haven't been called for jury duty in the 24 years since I've moved to the Raleigh area. When I lived in Stanly County before that, I got called about four times in ten years.

Each time I went, I was questioned by prosecutors and defense lawyers and ultimately dismissed. On the last trip, I decided to ask the prosecutor why I got dismissed every time.

He told me it was because I was an engineer. He said that defense attorneys don't like people who they would consider to be very logical, since they often want to play on the emotions of the jury. He said that prosecutors don't want engineers on cases they are trying where there is a lot of circumstantial evidence. Engineers are reluctant to convict if there are too many unanswered questions.

My experience as well.

[63 Pontiac]

I work for a small machine shop with lots of tight deadlines so every day of lost production hurts the company and then makes life harder on me because I would likely go in and work after getting done with jury duty for the day. It could up being a 16 hr day for the length of a trial. As an hourly employee I can't just not work. Jury duty ends up being a significant burden on working people but if I was retired then I'd be willing to do my civic duty without complaint.

[Craig Hendrickson]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

(snip) He told me it was because I was an engineer. He said that defense attorneys don't like people who they would consider to be very logical, since they often want to play on the emotions of the jury. He said that prosecutors don't want engineers on cases they are trying where there is a lot of circumstantial evidence. Engineers are reluctant to convict if there are too many unanswered questions.

For several years during the 1980s I dated a smart, female attorney. Your comment is exactly what she said and she had been both a prosecutor and defense attorney. During that time, I was never picked to serve. Engineers are too black and white in evaluating problems or situations.

[wheneaglesfly]

I have been called for Jury Duty.
Chosen to be a backup Juror.
Sat in the basement of the courthouse for 2 days.
Then I was excused.
About 2006.
It was a local murder trial.

[bird72]

Originally Posted by Craig Hendrickson

For several years during the 1980s I dated a smart, female attorney. Your comment is exactly what she said and she had been both a prosecutor and defense attorney. During that time, I was never picked to serve. Engineers are too black and white in evaluating problems or situations.

I was picked as juror and engineer then

[Go-Tee-O]

I've never had a job that pays for jury duty, and I don't have a lot of cash in the bank to cover it.

If I ended up on a trial that went for more than a week or two, the next court I would be in would be bankruptcy court

If I can ever afford to retire, I think it would be very interesting to sit on a jury.

[Bill Hanlon]

Retired now, but I've been called an average of once every 3 years since the early 1970s. I've only been picked for a jury 5 times in those 45+- years. 2 of those times the case was settled before testimony began and once after 1 day of testimony. I was employed by companies at the time that paid me my regular salary while on jury duty.

The thing that bothers me the most is the "hurry up and wait", similar to being in the military. Beyond that, I'll serve.

[poncho-mike]

I didn't say engineers never got picked.

I talked at length with the prosecutor in my idle time. He said that he liked to have an engineer on the jury when the case was very solid. He said he liked having engineers on the jury for trials involving financial matters and fraud because they could better understand the paper trail, but the defense would often dismiss them.

Originally Posted by bird72

I was picked as juror and engineer then

[Ben M.]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

He said that he liked to have an engineer on the jury when the case was very solid. He said he liked having engineers on the jury for trials involving financial matters and fraud because they could better understand the paper trail, but the defense would often dismiss them.

Exactly. I got called to jury duty every time I was eligible in San Diego and San Francisco, never picked once. We had a murder trial once and the judge asked us to write a reason why we should be excused and I said that I was an engineer and it would be a waste of time for them to keep me around as I was only going to be dismissed by one of the sides depending on the strength of the case. It worked and I got to go home with the first round dismissed by the judge.

As an engineer you're either going to have one side of the court want you, but the other side not want you and which side it is entirely depends on how the case is going to be presented. Several lawyer friends have pretty much confirmed this as well, if they want someone extremely logical on their side then the other side will likely dismiss them and vice versa.

[ken73]

I just served on a double murder case. It was very enlightening experience and if your circumstances allow it, I would try and do it.