Ethical Controversies

Jury Duty

Position One: Get Yourself Excused

You have been summoned for jury duty in your county. One of the cases on the docket is the well-publicized prosecution of a man for a series of rapes and assaults that occurred within a five-mile radius of your house. These were especially brutal crimes that occurred over several months. The assailant entered the open windows of the homes of the victims, assaulted them, and robbed them.

Because you live in the area where the attacks occurred and where the defendant lives, you are concerned about your safety during and after the trial. To avoid any possibility of revenge or of intimidation, you ask to be excused from participation on the jury.

Defend your position.

Position Two: Do Your Duty

You have been summoned for jury duty in your county. One of the cases on the docket is the well-publicized prosecution of a man for a series of rapes and assaults that occurred within a five-mile radius of your house. These were especially brutal crimes that occurred over several months. The assailant entered the open windows of the homes of the victims, assaulted them, and robbed them.

Because you live in the area where the attacks occurred and where the defendant lives, you are concerned about your safety during and after the trial. However, you believe it is your civic and moral obligation to serve on the jury and that attempting to avoid jury duty would be shirking your responsibility.

Defend your position.