CHL Question during Jury Selection

[davlanders]

"You, and each of you, solemnly swear that you will make true answers to such questions as may be propounded to you by the court, or under its directions, touching your service and qualifications as a juror, so help you God."

What if you don't believe in god? Does that make a liar of you if you answer that you swear?

What if you refuse to swear due to a lack of belief in god unwilling to sacrifice your principles and ethics?

[seamusTX]

They have provisions for people who are not Christians or whose beliefs prohibit them from taking oaths. I don't know the details.

Usually they replace swear with affirm and leave out "so help me God."

I don't make the rules. I don't have to like the rules.

- Jim

[03Lightningrocks]

I came close to getting on a Jury in a child molestation case. While asking questions to narrow down the selection from around 30 of us to the twelve lucky dogs about to spend two weeks listening to what would have been stomach turning testimony, one of the jurors who was trying real hard to get kicked out told the Judge that she had children and this would keep her from being impartial. The judge responded by saying that this excuse would probably send the whole jury pool home and she needed to sit back down. I was seriously afraid of getting selected....and it was because I have children. Just hearing that kind of stuff makes me want to hurt someone. This guy actually looked like a pervert. I know...I know...you can't judge a book by the cover but this dude had the stereotypical "look". I got lucky and was dismissed in the last elimination round. I was getting real tempted to stand up and say something like the earlier poster that the guy must be guilty if he got caught and brought to trial over it. My fear of small enclosed spaces kept me quiet.

[phddan]

I was doing good, up until the judge asked if we knew anyone.
I raised my hand and said the arresting officer was my CHL instructor...twice.
Both attorneys looked at each other and asked what a CHL was. I said Concealed Handgun License.
There was about 5 - 10 seconds of complete silence. I swear, it was like they never heard of that before, and didn't know what to do.
And yeah, I was let go.
Bummer is I really want to participate in a jury.

I have absolutely no qualms about letting people know that I have a CHL. The positives have far outweighed the negatives. Have gotten a few to join "our club".


Dan

[Dragonfighter]

I was seriously afraid of getting selected....and it was because I have children. Just hearing that kind of stuff makes me want to hurt someone.

I know. This is why courtrooms are the one prohibition I agree with. The trial in which we prosecuted someone (personal situation) for sexual assault was horrible. Between the smug little...well bad guy, his parents and their attorney. I may well have shot someone.

That case is why I scratched my head when I got selected for a sexual assault case that time. Of course I still have the feeling that is what the DA used to get a last minute plea...all good here.