For the first time in my life (admittedly probably longer than most on this forum)I was picked to serve on a jury this past week. During the time in which jurors were being selected, a question was asked regarding the testimony of the defendant. I was shocked at the response. Both the attorneys and the judge repeated the question to be sure everyone understood.
The question was basically asking if the potential jurors could fairly make a decision about the guilt or innocence of the defendant if that person chose not to testify. Nearly half of the potential jurors said they could not!
I suppose that you might assume that these folks were trying to answer in a way that would assure they were NOT picked but I don't think so. It is a little discouraging to think that large numbers of our fellow citizens are so cavalier about the fundamental rights of the Constitution!
The question was basically asking if the potential jurors could fairly make a decision about the guilt or innocence of the defendant if that person chose not to testify. Nearly half of the potential jurors said they could not!
I suppose that you might assume that these folks were trying to answer in a way that would assure they were NOT picked but I don't think so. It is a little discouraging to think that large numbers of our fellow citizens are so cavalier about the fundamental rights of the Constitution!
