A few years ago (January 2010 or so) there was a Federal case in Ocala for which I went in as a potential juror. One of the sitting empaneled jurors was a retired CIA manager. I do not know about you guys but when I hear CIA I do not think of apple pie, flag waving, and the US Constitution. Was surprised that the judge kept a retired CIA manager on the panel. I would think if there was anyone that could sway other jurors by his opinion it would be someone who guarded various secrets like a retired CIA manager.
I have found very little consistency in just which people they keep on juries in the 4 jury pools I have been involved with in three states. There was a lawyer kept on a far as I could tell in Sonoma County, CA even though I could challenged by the prosecution as soon as I mentioned the victims' rights stuff I had been involved with over time. This was around 1993.
I got bumped from the Pinellas County FL jury pool as soon as I mentioned that I had a JD around 2002. And if I remember correctly Sumter County did not even want me to come into their office after I outlined my victims' rights stuff and my JD and MA in Librarianship. This was about 2008.
I suppose I do have a bit of agenda when viewing legal proceedings but doubt if I would ever let my emotions guide me.
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