Among the bills pre-filed with the Missouri House of Representatives is HB 1091 submitted by Robin Wright Jones, D-St. Louis, which would exempt officeholders from jury duty while they are serving.
I did not know that this was an urgent need. The bill applies to all elected officials, according to its text, so everyone from city council and school board members to Governor Matt Blunt to Rep. Jones would be exempt from jury duty.
Hopefully, this bill will meet the quick demise it richly deserves. Ms. Jones and other elected officials are no better than any of the rest of us and have the same civic duty we all have.
It's not like they get a damn thing done in Jefferson City while in session anyway! Let them at least perform a civic duty.
ReplyDeleteRandy - Both Al Gore and George bush have been chosen for jury duty - and nobody wants them!
ReplyDeleteI work in a state legislature, and it's the same thing here - even when a legislator goes to serve, both defense and prosecution ask that they not be empanelled.
The bill actually makes sense. Call them up when their terms are over.
While I do understand what you are saying, I might mention that John Kerry was called for jury duty recently, and served as jury foreman in a civil suit. There are many people who will not be chosen as jurors, but all citizens should be ready to do so, and remember, this bill does not just address the state legislature, it addresses all elected officials.
ReplyDeleteI sure as hell would not want one of these people on any jury that was deciding the fate of my freedom or fortune.
ReplyDeleteI was called recently and was reasdy to serve, but the called the trasil off. I think we as elected offical should serve. It is something our democracy depends on and we all should do it.
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