http://www.libertyreview76.blogspot.com/2015/08/august-19-2015-innocent-unless-proven.html
Innocent Unless Proven Guilty
By Tammy Derouin
I was selected for jury duty this past week. This wasn’t my first experience, in fact, it
was my fourth time being called but only the first time I didn’t end up on a
jury. The experience served as a
reminder of how fortunate we are to live in a country where you are innocent
unless proven guilty. This is something
the defense attorney emphasized continuously as jury selection took place.
Jury duty isn’t something most people look forward to doing. In fact, I would bet most people shudder when
they realize what that distinctive looking envelope means. It is an
inconvenience. Your life is disrupted.
For a minimum of one week, you have to have a backup plan. Your normal chaotic routine just got even
more hectic. You need to make arrangements at work, daycare and possibly deal
with a lack of income for several days.
Nobody in the jury assembly room was overjoyed to be at the
courthouse. As we moved to the court
room, anxiety increased. After the initial thirteen were placed in the jury box,
the attorneys spent the rest of the day removing and replacing jurors until
both sides were satisfied that they had found an impartial jury.
I’m sure everyone would have preferred to have been in a
different location, especially the defendant.
The defense attorney made sure everyone understood his client was
presumed innocent. Just because you are
a defendant, doesn’t mean you are guilty. The prosecution, the state, must
prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The defendant does not need to testify, nor does he need to prove his
innocence...
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