Who Do You Trust?

In our 2009 medical malpractice research, we’ve been asking jurors who they trust more, doctors or nurses. The results are eye-opening:

Of the hundreds of jurors we interviewed nationwide, 63% of those who trust nurses more supported the plaintiff.

On the other hand, only 43% of those who trust doctors more end up siding with the plaintiff.

Jurors who trust doctors and nurses “the same” backed the plaintiff even less frequently—40%.

Incorporating this question into voir dire efforts could “red flag” jurors naturally predisposed to support plaintiffs in medmal litigation.

Contact us if you are interested in hearing more about this or other findings from our juror database. Or, if you would like a full, in-person presentation of our findings, let us know.

'Extremely Bored' Runaway Juror Faces Jail Time

According to the Denver Post, a juror came down with a case of "I'm boooooooooored-itis" and, well, just went home:

HILLSBORO, Ore.—A man who left jury duty after lunch because he was "extremely bored" will be back at the courthouse Tuesday to be arraigned on a charge of contempt of court. A police report said officers found the 25-year-old man near his home earlier this month and asked why he skipped out. He said he was bored, and "just couldn't take it" anymore.

Washington County Judge Gayle Nachtigal issued a warrant for his arrest.

Though she wouldn't discuss the specific case, the judge said the maximum penalty for missing jury duty is six months in jail. Penalties, however, are generally waived if the person agrees to perform their civic duty.

We've posted before about the tendency for younger (especially web-savvy) jurors lacking the attention span to make good jurors, but this kid is taking it to a new level.

Okay...

From The Smoking Gun, we learn of one Montana resident's particular--and quite graphic--aversion to serving on a jury. This desire to avoid his civic duties prompted him to whip up a signed affidavit explaining to the court just exactly what he would rather do with his time than sit in a jury box.



Says TSG:

Slye's caustic affidavit, which he prepared with help from his wife Jennifer, can be found below. The document, of course, did not sit well with court officials and led a judge to threaten to jail Slye. But after being summoned to court, Slye apologized for the affidavit and avoided being cited on a criminal failure to appear rap. And he also was excused from serving on a jury.

Success!

CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE ARTICLE (AND THE UNEDITED AFFIDAVIT)...