I get to go to court

[TheBac]

Three months ago while on my route I witnessed a road rage accident between two men in their vehicles, where one man went to the hospital. I reported it to the responding police at the time. Later I got a call from one of the insurance companies about the incident, and the adjuster told me to expect to be called to court. So Monday I get a call from the State Police asking if I'll be home, and that they have a witness subpeona for me. I wasnt surprised.

So now I get to go to testify next Friday in a jury trial against the gentleman who caused the whole incident (the guy who got hurt). Its my understanding that hes fighting the road rage and reckless driving charges. Why cant people just take responsibility for their actions?

I get to lose a whole day's pay, just to help the state! How fun!

 

[JD Dave]

My wife and I had to go to court last week for an accident we saw. The girl didn't show and her lawyer plead guilty so they didn't even need us there. We were a little upset. When the police brought the supena's to the house they had all of there lights on and for some reason they stayed parked at the end of my driveway for 15 min after with the lights still running. I'm sure all my neighbours wondered wtf I did. I hope the road rager gets his dues good luck.

 

[TheBac]

Yeah, thats what my kids and I thought when the MSP Charger pulled in, "What are the neighbors thinking?" A very nice, older trooper gave me the sheet and explained everything. We got talking about his patrol car (he said it kicked his old CVic's butt in acceleration and handling) and he even asked me why there wasnt an engine in my truck. :rofl:

 

[05' Ditry Duramax]

Why cant people just take responsibility for their actions?

That is the biggest problem we have in this country. One of the many things that really get's me pissed off.

 

[Darius6t9]

You would hate my family. Seems me and my Stepdad are the only ones that are capable of taking responsibility for ANY actions. Much less our own.

 

[minisub]

I got deposed a few years back in a civil matter. I had such a blast with the plaintiff's attorney (not the brightest bulb in the box).

Answer the questions as succinctly as you can, offer no extra information and make use of pauses to give the ADA a chance to "help" you.

Have fun with the experience; for all of its foibles, our legal system is pretty fascinating, particularly as you are a disinterested 3rd party in this case....:thumb:

 

[McRat]

As part of my job, I sometimes get used as an expert witness. That means I get paid to confirm evidence. You can't just do testing and bring the test results as evidence, the opposing side has the right to cross exam somebody responsible for the tests.

I was surprised on the differences between our legal system and how it's shown on TV:

A trial is like a play. BOTH sides know what the witness is going to say before they say it. The witnesses have been deposed, so the questions were asked beforehand. There shouldn't be any surprises unless the lawyers screw up.

Very few cases go to trial. After the depositions and discovery, the two sides usually decide how good the case is, and settle accordingly.

Odds are Tom, that you won't testify. You will probably be deposed and then the case will be decided after all the depositions and discovery is over. If not, you'll show up, and the case will be decided in the hallway.

BTW - I have requested to get a certain window of time to testify, and the judge will grant it if you have a good reason. Otherwise you might have to show up more than once and sit there all day if the trial takes more than 1 day. Doesn't sound like that will apply in this case.

 

[TheBac]

Good call, Pat. I had to call in today and the Pros. Off. said he pled to a lesser charge, so Im not needed as a witness. UPS was going to give me a paid day off, similar to jury duty, too. Dagnabit.

BTW, heres the story:
http://www.sentinel-standard.com/news/x532575146/Road-rage-closes-Main-Street-in-Lyons
http://www.sentinel-standard.com/news/x1560340434/Suspected-road-rage-unfolds-in-Lyons

 

[Car RamRod]

Tom, good on you for doing the right thing.

One day at 3:30 pm a guy came speeding around the curve near my house lot control of his explorer and crashed in the ditch totaling his car. He was drunk as a skunk. None of the three people that saw him would make a statement. They all said "it's none of my business". This idiot would have hit my truck and could have driven into my house if not for the ditch. Hopefully next time he doesn't kill someone.

 

[TheBac]

......................and 3 years later.................

just got served a witness subpoena for a civil trial between the two men. Wow.

:roflmao:

 

[SickLL7Crenshaw]

Wow 3 years? Sounds about right, on may 17th one of my good friends sucker punched a kid, knocked him out and fell and hit his head on the concrete and 45 min later that kid died, I witnessed the incident as 9 others did also. Its a mess as the kid was part of a gang from where he was from. Theres been death threats like crazy. Friend was a coward for doing what he did and got charged for 2nd degree murder, and theft as all it was over is 5 dollars for pitch ins at the party we were at.. took a life for 5 dollars, but the worst thing about it is that after he knocked him out he reached in his pants stole his wallet and stole 5 bucks from it.. Ive been served also and its not fun.

 

[TheBac]

The wheels of justice turn very slowly......:roflmao:

 

[thunder550]

Three months ago while on my route I witnessed a road rage accident between two men in their vehicles, where one man went to the hospital.

Is it weird that after reading this statement, all I picture is your avatar driving a UPS truck? That's not a selfie, is it?

 

[TheBac]

Is it weird that after reading this statement, all I picture is your avatar driving a UPS truck? That's not a selfie, is it?

No, its not. She'd make a great "helper" at Christmas.

Driving a brown truck is what I do 5 days a week, 47 weeks a year, for the past 28 years. You sure do see some crazy stuff when out on the road.

 

[minisub]

Funny, I just finished my last day of 4 months as County Grand Jury foreman today. Our involvement with the justice system seems to be in synch....

Civil court? Blah...

Will Big Brown cover your time as if it were public service (ie, jury duty)?

 

[02CCSB]

Well you're doing the right thing. At least the law did something.

Last year I witnessed a hit & run involving a total of 3 cars. I chased the suspect down & got his plate. Returned to the scene and the other two cars were gone. Reported it. Nothing ever came of it. Watched the local classifieds. Nothing.

 

[MACKIN]

Anyone ever sit on a criminal case? I did quite a few years back nothing big drugs and assault on a police officer. Certainly it's NOTHING like what you see on TV.

As far as Jury duty goes everyone says I'm not doing it I'll say something to get out of it etc etc etc. That's a bunch of bull. Why because believe me IF you don't want to be there the defense or prosecution doesn't want you there either! They want you to sit and listen not rush to judgement just to get out of there!

I think EVERYONE should do it at least once to experience it. I'm glad I did it but dealing with some fellow Jurors was lets say a bit difficult. For that reason in the end the case was tainted. Took awhile to get this one lone hold out (african american) to be unanimous. We ended up being "instructed" by the Judge because we were in a dead lock. So finally the Juror came to her senses! Well wouldn't you know it the Defense wanted to "poll" the jurors. So when it was her turn she replied "Guilty as to HOW I was instructed by the Judge". Well let me tell you we were quickly dismissed! That stupid bitch!

She gave NO indications she was remorseful about her decision or felt she was just given in!
He was dead nuts guilty on all charges!

It wasn't over ,so I thought,about a year later I received a letter summons for court referencing this case. Each Juror had to go up on the stand and was questioned on the case. Asked if we felt rushed in anyway . Long story short when a couple jurors went out on a smoke break a female sheriff escorting the jurors outside I feel jokingly, when we were deliberating a year ago or so, said to them "you better hurry up in there they're getting antsy! "

Well didn't the defense get a hold of that info and he was given a NEW trial and he eventually walked!

It was interesting but disappointing in my eyes! Would I do it again? I would but on something bigger CRIMINAL ,I wouldn't do civil to boring. No evidence bags to check out in the deliberation room! :roflmao: