upquark on Nostr: I’ve served on a jury once before. The trial was for count of murder and assault ...

I’ve served on a jury once before. The trial was for count of murder and assault with a deadly weapon (aka gun). This is in the US 🇺🇸 btw.

I found the experience mentally draining. Closely paying attention to lawyer’s arguments and witness testimony is very tiring. Then once both sides are done presenting their cases, the jury deliberates in private for as long as it takes the reach a unanimous verdict for each charge.

In my case, the jury was in deliberation for about three days which for the scope of the charges is actually relatively quick. We had to decide whether or not to convict someone of first or second degree murder and people took that decision very seriously. Deliberation was emotionally draining.