an ethical question.

[Talk Host]

I have been called for jury duty in Marion County. The county employees who handle the jury pool are wonderful and very thorough. However, one of them did something that I have to question.

One of the county employees addressed the pool of about 250-300 people right after we arrived early in the morning and said that her daughter is raising money to go to Australia on some kind of school exchange. She needs (I think she said ) $6,000. The woman then began selling baked goods to the jury pool for her daughters fund.

I think it is wonderful that she has this chance to go abroad. However, I have to question the propriety of the county employee using a captive audience to raise money. The other students on this trip do not have a similar opportunity.

Am I chasing ghosts?

[redwitch]

I don't know about the ethics. It really seems no worse than selling Girl Scout cookies -- some parents sell tremendous amounts by basically blackmailing co-workers to buy. At least this isn't a contest and all the kids are doing whatever they can to earn the funds for the trip.

I would, however, question the legality of it. Unless Florida is vastly different from California (and most states), government employees can't solicit others on government property, especially not jurors.

Hope the baked goods were good. Probably beat the food at the snack bar or cafeteria.

[JohnN]

I guess if you were hungry for a donut then there'd be no question about it.
However, I generally detest folks pushing sales for whatever, be it government, private business time (same issue, shareholders own that time) or even ringing my phone/bell while I'm eating dinner.

[Muncle]

TH, you are absolutely correct. To some degree, the clerk was in a postion of authority. She was completely wrong to push the junk. Had she set some boxes on her desk with a small sign about the sale, it would have been okay. :cop: Run her in. :yikes:

[handieman]

IMHO it's very unethical
Handie :joke:

[tony]

I am astounded that somebody could not know it is unethical, or at least very improper, to sell stuff to jurors.

Astounded!
:yikes:

[rdkent]

Tony
:agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree:

[chelsea24]

Sorry but this is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. Completely unethical and I'm with Red, this must be illegal. I was stuck with my share of Girl Scout cookies and yes the neighbors dreaded seeing me coming I'm sure, but we would never have been allowed to sell these in the work place -- Much less in a governmental building. Did you buy any? I would have probably said "I'll take the whole case if you get me out of jury duty. Otherwise no sale." :dontknow:

[SteveFromNY]

It's ethical as long as she let you out of jury duty if you bought the cookies!

;D

Seriously, it seems very improper.

[beady]

Definately unethical and I agree it must be illegal.

[jjdees]

I'd guess she would get more than a rap on the knuckles if caught by her superiors

[gemorc]

I am astounded that somebody could not know it is unethical, or at least very improper, to sell stuff to jurors.

Astounded!
:yikes:
You have to remember that this is a government employee. Ethics is not just expected in our elected officials, but all the way down the line.

[punkpup]

I'm with these guys! Definitely unethical; don't know about the legality but totally inappropriate!!! :realmad: :cus: :cop: BUSTED!


TH, you are absolutely correct. To some degree, the clerk was in a postion of authority. She was completely wrong to push the junk. Had she set some boxes on her desk with a small sign about the sale, it would have been okay. :cop: Run her in. :yikes:


IMHO it's very unethical
Handie :joke:

[Peggy D]

Soliciting, of any kind, on government property is illegal. Unfortunately it does take place.

She should have been reported.

[SteveZ]

Contact the Clerk of the Court. The practice should disappear.

[jht]

The seller should be fired. Not the time or place for that type of activity.

[Just Susan]

I agree that it is certainly wrong for her to impose on the jurors this way.

What amazes me is, that if she was selling these items as obviously as you have made it sound Jan, (announcing it to the group as a whole)...then how could her supervisor(s) not know what she was doing?

[Taltarzac]

I agree that it is certainly wrong for her to impose on the jurors this way.

What amazes me is, that if she was selling these items as obviously as you have made it sound Jan, (announcing it to the group as a whole)...then how could her supervisor(s) not know what she was doing?




They probably did. I have looked in the FL statutes and cannot really find a law that would impose any kind of penalty on this. There may be something in a FL or higher court case that relates to this but so far in my limited legal research this does not look strictly illegal in FL.

There's law which covers actions by state employers and county law enforcement officers but it would be interesting to see if a county employee like this falls into any class where the state ethical guidelines come into play.

Maybe, contempt of court??