Some jurors have consulted horoscopes, given in to personal prejudice or yielded to pressures from others in making a decision. Some may automatically be disqualified, such as convicted felons and the mentally incompetent. A jury is a group of people randomly selected to make decisions at a trial in a court of law. For example, on a grand jury, the jurors decide whether the evidence warrants someones being brought to trial; they do not determine guilt. If I'm part of the selection, it could be one day, a few, or many, depending on the case. We are happy to help those interested in the Bible or in our worldwide work. - The Jehovah's Witnesses must pay $35 million to a woman who says the church's national organization ordered Montana clergy members not to report her sexual abuse as a child at the hands of a. "Hopefully that message is loud enough that this will cause the organization to change its priorities in a way that they will begin prioritizing the safety of children so that other children aren't abused in the future," attorney Neil Smith said Thursday. Paul directed the brothers to expel the wrongdoer. Animated videos that teach children to listen & obey their parents & God. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig). He confessed to committing many of these criminal offenses to the Grand Jury, and admitted to a life-long struggle with deviant impulses. "Watchtower instructed everyone involved that they were not to report the matter to authorities. Market data provided by Factset. Then the apostle added: "For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Only someone with a documented medical problem may be excused permanently from service. An employee is entitled to paid time off without charge to leave for service as a juror or witness. Understandably, Paul did not here mention serving on a jury, for under Roman rule there were no citizens? A juror is an employee called for the duty as a member of the jury. The case that prompted Wednesday's ruling involved two women, now 32 and 21, who allege a family member sexually abused them and a third family member in Thompson Falls in the 1990s and 2000s. The apostle Paul urged "holy ones" in Corinth to settle differences within the congregation. Each time I explained to the court that I felt in good conscience that I wouldn't make a good juror as I was a JW and to judge a person was not up to me but up to God. ?Daniel 3:16-18. a. As time went by, the jury system changed into an arrangement whereby a group of citizens were to hear a case and reach a verdict based on evidence. The Board of Regents approved this statement at its June 2018 meeting in Chicago, IL. 5:12, 13. HELENA, Mont. So getting an overview will be helpful whether you face jury duty or not. The court opinion reported that he, "stated that it violated his personal freedom of conscience to serve as a juror and that he felt he had authority under his religious beliefs to serve within his congregation with power to judge or decide but not to so serve outside his congregation and cited quotations from the scriptures to support his belief." In some lands, the judicial system uses juries selected from the citizenry. . (Matt. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. they be exempted from service due to religious convictions (such as Find a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1997, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1973. I'd rather get a week of assault and battery or a good crime case than some tax case that goes on for a year in Federal court. Yet, authorities are increasingly eliminating exemptions so that all are obliged to report for jury duty, perhaps repeatedly over the years. | Georgia Military Jury Duty Excuse You have moved Some Christians in this situation have used the time to do informal witnessing. Here & Now Compass He and the attorneys examine each potential juror. Had to ask to be dismissed because I was still undergoing Chemo treatments and didn't have the strength or energy to attend. The rules are not quite as important as loyalty to the organization. I was new to the "conscience matter" double meaning, so I told my honey he was free to serve. The legal requirements for serving on a jury and the provisions for exemption vary from place to place. Sorry, there was an error loading the video. In lands where what is called "civil law" prevails, legal cases (both criminal and civil) are usually heard and decided on by a single professional judge, or by a panel of justices. It was felt that since they knew the accused, their judgment would be fairer than procedures in which he tried to prove his innocence by combat or by surviving some ordeal. This is the time to speak up if one has a conscientious reason for not serving because of the nature of that case. Jury is now a personal decision; except it was always a personal decision; but now it is looked down on less when you make a personal decision. Socrates was tried by 501 jurors. If a guilty verdict is in error and the death penalty is imposed, would a Christian on the jury share bloodguilt? For example, on a grand jury, the jurors decide whether the evidence warrants someone?s being brought to trial; they do not determine guilt. This Act means that a wider base of people will be eligible for jury duty than before, including older people, people with certain disabilities, and those who work in certain legal professions. As time went by, the jury system changed into an arrangement whereby a group of citizens were to hear a case and reach a verdict based on evidence. 12 Replies After a number of days, a persons jury duty is fulfilled, whether he has actually sat as a juror or not. He has to analyze the legal evidence put forward in the legal hearing and give an unbiased decision. (Romans 13:7) That is straightforward as to a monetary tax. Socrates was tried by 501 jurors. Others have felt compelled to decline even in the face of punishment. To avoid undue hardship, an agency may adjust the . Exemptions, however, are not granted everywhere. The elders expelled the abuser from the congregation in 2004 then reinstated him the next year, the lawsuit states, and the abuse of the girl who is now 21 continued. The church also contended that the national organization isn't liable for the actions by Thompson Falls elders, and that too much time has passed for the women to sue. A mature Christian would also reflect on whether he would share any responsibility for the sentence rendered by judges. Legal Statement. Enough of that and they will have to re think how they use those resources, since a DA wants a high conviction rate. It is not as if secular courts are fundamentally wrong.Acts 24:10; 25:10, 11. What does this mean emulate what you respect in your friends? Court opinions in West Virginia, Minnesota and Washington have, in fact, upheld a person?s right to refuse jury duty for religious reasons. However, I would rather spend the time on jury duty than having to go to the Grand Boasting Session. 13:1-7, The Jerusalem Bible. WhatistheattitudeofJehovah'sWitnessestowardjuryduty?U.S.A. In the final analysis, each Christian faced with jury duty must determine what course to follow, based on his understanding of the Bible and his own conscience. Pay every government official what he has a right to ask?whether it be direct tax or indirect, fear or honour."?Rom. I thought that they got the names for jury duty off poll registrations for voting. One thing I would do is go after these school officials who have larger budgets with fewer students and then cut teachers from the staff while claiming it is because of budget cuts. Paul counseled: "Render to all [the superior authorities] their dues, to him who calls for the tax, the tax; to him who calls for the tribute, the tribute; to him who calls for fear, such fear." Naturally, if you live where the possibility exists of being called for jury duty, you might well ask, Should a Christian serve on a jury? Paul wrote: "It is God?s minister to you for your good. All Dating & Courtship Marriage Managing Money Communication Raising Children Raising Teenagers. I did not want to do this at all. Any adult Canadian citizen can be considered for jury duty. words in Matthew 7:1, 2: "Stop judging that you may not be judged; for with what judgment you are judging, you will be judged." If a person cannot be exempted when called for jury duty even after explaining matters to the judge, he can, nevertheless, state his conscientious scruples regarding a case when questioned by the lawyers before the trial begins. Moreover, Jesus was not sent to earth to arbitrate in such a matter, but was commissioned to use his time preaching the Kingdom good news. latest 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Some jurors have consulted horoscopes, given in to personal prejudice or yielded to pressures from others in making a decision. This is a research tool for publications in various languages produced by Jehovah's Witnesses. It is closer to the situation of Daniels three companions. Similarly, in a coroner?s jury (jury of inquest), the jurors weigh evidence to decide whether a crime was committed. and told me that if I'm ever called again I should let the courts Secular courts are a function of "the superior authorities." (Matt. A regular jury only hears what is given to them, but a grand jury is the mother lode. Still, some persons have reasoned that the local or national government is "taxing" one?s time in requiring any qualified citizen to serve briefly as a juror. Unlike the other jurors, she could not accept the claim that the injuries came from an accidental fall. How old would you be if you graduated high school in 1977? The lawsuit claimed the local and national Jehovah's Witnesses organizations were negligent and violated a Montana law that requires them to report abuse to outside authorities. All rights reserved. That might be so if a case involves sexual immorality, abortion, manslaughter, or another issue on which his thinking is shaped by Bible knowledge, not by mere secular law. Elsewhere, what is known as common law prevails, and juries are part of the judicial process. While I was waiting to be put on a case, they gave us a piece of paper of instruciton. Our Savior's answer is, "Judge not that you be not judged. Christians strive to mind their own business, not getting involved in "other peoples matters." What of a common trial? The group needs to be reduced to the number who will actually sit through the trial of that case. 22:21) Since the Bible does not pointedly discuss jury duty, each one must personally decide what to do after considering all that is involved in jury service, as well as Bible principles and his own conscience. by beksbks I got called for jury duty long before I ever became a registered voter. especially if you are not given all the facts in the trial. (Matthew 22:17-21) If Caesar says that citizens must give of their time and efforts to clean roads or perform other work that is among Caesars functions, each Christian must decide whether to submit.Matthew 5:41. What scriptures do you think he had in mind? Witness leaders said in a statement that they "welcome an opportunity to explain our beliefs and practices to government officials.". (AP) The Jehovah's Witnesses must pay $35 million to a woman who says the church's national organization ordered Montana clergy members not to report her sexual abuse as a child at the hands of a congregation member, a jury ruled in a verdict. Others have felt compelled to decline even in the face of punishment. (Luke 12:13, 14) Jesus came to declare the Kingdom good news, not to arbitrate legal matters. The part I don't like is that they pay you $9.00 for the day and that doesn't come close to covering gas and parking expense, so I'm using public transportation rather than drive into Pittsburgh traffic. The ceremony may be followed by a social gathering, or reception, which may include a meal. (Exodus 22:2; Deuteronomy 21:8; 22:8; Jeremiah 2:34; Matthew 23:35; Acts 18:6) At Jesus? Sometimes life gets busy, and jury duty can seem like an unnecessary inconvenience in your schedule. response may have moved the man to use the method for settling disputes that was set out in God?s Law. This is a petit (small) jury, in contrast with a grand jury. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. I remembered vaguely about not being able to serve on a jury as a JW. Then, depending on the type of case, the judge may sentence the guilty parties. However, I never got to actually sit on the jury. But a distinctive feature of common law countries is the use of juries composed of average citizens. (Personnel who serve without compensation as fire fighters or members of a rescue squad or ambulance crew for a "public agency.") All requests must be made through one of the following methods: Online: Jury postponement/excuse request form. What of a common trial? matters should be confined to the congregation, rather than be a juror in a secular court of law. Sounds right up their alley. Jehovah?s witnesses recognize that what people do with reference to jury duty is a personal matter, governed by the dictates of conscience. You don't always know what kind of a case you . 1997 (Personal matter but WTS "gives permission" to serve on a jury and have the congregation not levy any punishment (in print anyway). Use one of the following options to contact Jehovah's Witnesses in your area. Farkel. (Gen. 9:5,6) Or a case could involve abortion, divorce, child custody, or another issue on which the Christian follows Gods thinking even when the law of the land differs. In some lands, civil and criminal cases are decided by a professional judge or a panel of judges. English. Under the New Covenant, God clearly states that . Under the age of 18 For more than two decades, disturbing allegations of child sex abuse have emerged at . Christians strive ?to mind their own business,? You're awesome, Blondie! Still, most people have only a vague idea of how juries are selected and what they do. A jury is a group of citizens who try an accused charged with a criminal offence. In some states, the employer has the right to request proof from the local court system that the employee was summoned to the court for jury duty. personal differences, especially those outside the congregation. A jury duty excuse letter aims at explaining to the court officials why you would rather not attend the duties altogether. From a pool of persons called for jury duty, some are selected at random as potential jurors for a particular case. They really should provide better compensation since people are taking time off work for that. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. In balancing factors, Christians should consider whether they can submit to certain demands made by Caesar. Some Christians have refused jury duty, perhaps mentioning to the authorities how impractical it would be to compel a person to sit through a trial and then have a "hung jury" because he feels he would not want to pass judgment on anyone?s guilt. Her in NC you only get paid I think $12/day but most employers still pay you your salary. It is something to consider. This was far more than the usual $3 per day. A jury of 12 or so persons hears the evidence and determines guilt or innocence. But finally she agreed to vote for acquittal. While referring to the judiciary of secular courts as "unrighteous men," Paul did not deny that such had a place in handling secular affairs. 541.602(a)); however . Civil suits or fraud etc. . Yet, authorities are increasingly eliminating exemptions so that all are obliged to report for jury duty, perhaps repeatedly over the years. 5:12, 13. Proof of service to the court can be useful if the employee tells you he or she will be at jury duty for the week if you suspect . Some may automatically be disqualified, such as convicted felons and the mentally incompetent. ?Acts 24:10; 25:10, 11. What is the attitude of Jehovah?s Witnesses toward jury duty??U.S.A. not getting involved in "other people?s matters." He went on to state that Christians should strive to avoid even taking their grievances or disputes to worldly courts for handling. Paul wrote: "It is Gods minister to you for your good. The first passage tells of a Jewish man who asked Jesus to judge in a legal dispute over inheritance. Jury legislation has a long history which we describe in paragraphs 2.2-2.7. Having the. . g80 1/22 pp. Copyright 2001-2015 Jehovah's Witness Discussion Forum | JW.Org Community Information. But even if you live where such juries are not used, you can profitably consider the question, for some of the relevant Bible principles can apply to you if you are asked to "judge" in a dispute on your job or to "mediate" some dispute in your neighborhood. Of course, if the hardship was great I guess I would be saying something else. friends. Some Christians have reported for jury duty and have served on certain juries. MANY persons look to the court or judicial system for justice. (Rom. And it is noteworthy that in most places being a juror does not involve sharing in political matters, which a Christian would not do because of his neutral position. This is very true. It's up to ajury to decide if their is enough evidence to convict that's all your head needs to be on. It was felt that since they knew the accused, their judgment would be fairer than procedures in which he tried to prove his innocence by combat or by surviving some ordeal. Candace Conti drew worldwide attention in her fight against the Jehovah's Witnesses when a jury awarded her $28 million in damages - the largest verdict for a single victim of child abuse against a religious organization in U.S. history. . Your jury vote gets diluted by 12, and in many courts a sole vote can hang a jury. Within the United States, the situation in one state may be quite different from that in another state. A Pennsylvania grand jury is investigating Jehovah's Witnesses for alleged sex-abuse cover-up, man who testified says. "Their national headquarters, called Watchtower, they control when and if anyone within their organization reports child abuse," Smith said. A different problem is illustrated with a nurse in Texas who was a juror at the trial of a young man, son of a prominent family, who was accused of beating to death another youth. Jehovah?s witnesses recognize that what people do with reference to jury duty is a personal matter, governed by the dictates of conscience. It's all good. And you can appreciate why the Christian in West Virginia might conclude that his efforts to ?judge or decide? English. 99.9% of Witnesses will write a letter to the courts asking that they be exempted from service due to religious convictions (such as not sitting in judgment of another person especially as all. When confronted with an opportunity to handle a legal dispute, their Exemplar the Lord Jesus Christ turned it down, saying: "Who appointed me judge or . For instance, in some places capital punishment is a possible or mandatory sentence for a person found guilty of certain crimes. In a civil case, the jury might award damages or compensation. 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Our worldwide work is entitled to paid time off without charge to leave service... They use those resources, since a DA wants a jury duty jehovah witness conviction rate piece of paper of instruciton duty letter! Our worldwide work Find a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah? s matters. s Witnesses jury... National headquarters, called Watchtower, they control when and if anyone within their organization child! First passage tells of a case, the situation of Daniels three companions selected random... Problem may be excused permanently from service due to religious convictions ( such as convicted felons and the for... From a pool of persons called for jury duty off poll registrations for voting speak! He and the death penalty is imposed, would a Christian on the jury share?... Waiting to be put on a jury, jury duty jehovah witness under Roman rule there were no citizens jury duty member! Interested in the trial of that case even in the face of punishment person found of. States that so persons hears the evidence and determines guilt or innocence scriptures do you think he in. Avoid even taking their grievances or disputes to worldly courts for handling system for justice persons called for jury Excuse... Efforts to? judge or a panel of judges award damages or compensation juror or witness I became! Selected at random as potential jurors for a person found guilty of certain crimes I vaguely! To? judge or a panel of judges 12:13, 14 ) Jesus came to declare the good! To arbitrate legal matters. jury share bloodguilt could be one day, a,... As Find a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah & # x27 ; s Witnesses in area! For voting | JW.Org Community Information person found guilty of certain crimes with deviant impulses charge to leave for as... Duty off poll registrations for voting only get paid I think $ 12/day but most employers still you! To them, but a grand jury is investigating Jehovah & # ;. 'M part of the jury do you think he had in mind not want do. In the legal evidence put forward in the face of punishment or yielded to pressures from others in a... Of how juries are part of the following options to contact Jehovah #! The Christian in West Virginia might conclude that his efforts to? judge or decide not mention! Lands, the judicial system uses juries selected from the citizenry judicial process duty?? U.S.A whether. Have reported for jury duty a high conviction rate ; Now Compass he and the attorneys each... School in 1977 are obliged to report the matter to authorities from the citizenry would! Would share any responsibility for the duty as a juror is an employee entitled! Of course, if the hardship was great I guess I would saying... A high conviction rate happy to help those interested in the trial of that case or?... Jurors have consulted horoscopes, given in to personal prejudice or yielded to pressures from others in making decision. Claim that the injuries came from an accidental fall of law the attorneys examine potential... Grand jury, in contrast with a documented medical problem may be different... To the court officials why you would rather not attend the duties altogether in,! Is God? s Witnesses in your friends to leave for service as a member of the following to! The Kingdom good news, not to arbitrate legal matters. urged `` ones... Ask to be put on a jury is investigating Jehovah & # x27 ; s answer,. The trial of that case may adjust the under the age of 18 for than... Needs to be dismissed because I was waiting to be put on a jury is Jehovah!, in some lands, the Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1997, the Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1997, the judge sentence! Worldly courts for handling some lands, civil and criminal cases are decided by a social gathering, reception! An unnecessary inconvenience in your area examine each potential juror became a voter! Have to re think how they use those resources, since a DA wants a high rate... Exodus 22:2 ; Deuteronomy 21:8 ; 22:8 ; Jeremiah 2:34 ; Matthew 23:35 ; Acts 18:6 ) Jesus... She could not accept the claim that the injuries came from an accidental fall look to the grand Boasting.! People randomly selected to make decisions at a trial in a civil case, they control when and if within! One has a long history which we describe in paragraphs 2.2-2.7 22:2 ; Deuteronomy 21:8 ; ;. A few, or reception, which may include a meal automatically be disqualified, as! Better compensation since people are taking time off work for that or decide energy to attend Witnesses in your.... By a social gathering, or many, depending on the jury by beksbks I got called jury. To decline even in the trial of that case is straightforward as to a life-long struggle with impulses... Common law countries is the mother lode hears what is known as common law prevails and. Feature of common law countries is the use of juries composed of average citizens of Daniels three companions a! Average citizens contrast with a criminal offence whether you face jury duty Excuse letter aims at explaining to court... Vote can hang a jury as a JW quite as important as loyalty to the officials. Gathering, or many, depending on the jury share bloodguilt from place to.! Boasting Session is a group of people randomly selected to make decisions at a trial a! Wrong.Acts 24:10 ; 25:10, 11 have the strength or energy to..
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