Go to Jury Duty, Serve Four Months in Jail

SirFozzie · 04-21-2005, 08:45 AM

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- A judge sentenced a 19-year-old to four months in jail for not mentioning his arrest record when he was called for jury duty, outraging his family.

Circuit Judge Eileen O'Connor freed Stacey Forbes on bond Wednesday while he pursues an appeal. He had already served a month of the sentence she imposed for criminal contempt.

"She wants blood from this kid, clearly," said Bill Gelin, Forbes' attorney. "It's unheard of nationwide, this type of sentence" for a juror.

"Mean," said Coleen Forbes, Stacey's mother. "She is mean."

Police arrested Forbes in October on charges related to car break-ins. More recently, he was arrested on a marijuana possession charge. In both cases, prosecutors declined to file charges, but the latter charge was not dropped until after he was jailed.

Forbes said he did not intentionally try to hide anything when he was called for jury duty March 22. A high school dropout, Forbes said he had problems reading a questionnaire that asks whether prospective jurors have a criminal background.

"It's ridiculous," Forbes said after his release. "It's outrageous. It's crazy."

Public defender Howard Finklestein said he is not aware of a local juror receiving such a tough sentence. Records show that in previous similar cases jurors have been given probation or forced to write letters of apology.

"One has to wonder why such a Draconian sentence, if the person who didn't tell the truth didn't do it for any reason that benefited him," Finklestein said.

Forbes, who apologized to O'Connor before he was sentenced, said he was in shock.

"I didn't cry until I got into the cell, thinking, 'Wow _ this really happened," he said.

While appealing the sentence, which could take more than a year, his travel is restricted, he is under a 1 a.m. curfew and he must check in with authorities three times a week.

Attempts by the Miami Herald to reach O'Connor for comment were unsuccessful.

Blackadar · 04-21-2005, 08:52 AM

Shoot the judge in the head. Case closed.

Lathum · 04-21-2005, 08:54 AM

Wow, this kid doesn't seem like a model citizen but that is pretty absurd

flere-imsaho · 04-21-2005, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

A high school dropout, Forbes said he had problems reading a questionnaire that asks whether prospective jurors have a criminal background.

Sounds believable. I've been called up twice and found the various forms I had to plow through confusing. And I've got a BA & a Masters.

JeeberD · 04-21-2005, 09:56 AM

Utter bullshit...

Barkeep49 · 04-21-2005, 10:27 AM

To me this, and this article below, from the LA Times are examples of unacceptable judicial activism

Quote:

Juror No. 2386 had been sitting in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom for two days, waiting to be grilled by lawyers, when he let out a loud yawn.

"You yawned rather audibly there. As a matter of fact, it was to the point that it was contemptuous," said Superior Court Judge Craig Veals, who was presiding over jury selection for an attempted murder trial.

"I'm sorry, but I'm really bored," the juror replied.

...."Your boredom just cost you $1,000....I'm finding you in contempt," Veals said, according to an April 1 court transcript. "Are you quite so bored now?"

This juror hadn't done anything else to disrupt the proceedings before this yawn. The fine was later reduced to a $100, but still seems like judges out of control.

Blackadar · 04-21-2005, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barkeep49

To me this, and this article below, from the LA Times are examples of unacceptable judicial activism

This juror hadn't done anything else to disrupt the proceedings before this yawn. The fine was later reduced to a $100, but still seems like judges out of control.

That's not judicial activism. That's judicial egoism. There's a big difference.

Ksyrup · 04-21-2005, 10:46 AM

Blackie's right. Unacceptable judicial activism would be the guy with the penis pump.

Bo Jackson's Hip · 04-21-2005, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Blackie's right. Unacceptable judicial activism would be the guy with the penis pump.

Depends on your definition of unacceptable and your definition of activism

Noop · 04-21-2005, 11:14 AM

He was black....

KWhit · 04-21-2005, 11:16 AM

Sigh.

ice4277 · 04-21-2005, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noop

He was black....

...and?

Fonzie · 04-21-2005, 11:31 AM

There are egomaniacal morons in every profession, sadly. These two simply exemplify the types of egomaniacal morons who became judges.

judicial clerk · 04-21-2005, 11:52 AM

I would argue that being arrested for crimes does not mean that you have a criminal background. I would say convictions should be what is important.

Franklinnoble · 04-21-2005, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noop

He was black....

Was the judge white?

04-21-2005, 09:56 AM	#5
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	Utter bullshit... __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

04-21-2005, 10:46 AM	#8
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	Blackie's right. Unacceptable judicial activism would be the guy with the penis pump. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

04-21-2005, 11:14 AM	#10
Noop Bonafide Seminole Fan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Florida	He was black.... __________________ Living in an Oligarchy.

04-21-2005, 08:52 AM	#2
Blackadar Retired Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fantasyland	Shoot the judge in the head. Case closed.

04-21-2005, 08:54 AM	#3
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	Wow, this kid doesn't seem like a model citizen but that is pretty absurd

04-21-2005, 11:16 AM	#11
KWhit Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Conyers GA	Sigh.

04-21-2005, 11:31 AM	#13
Fonzie Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Illinois	There are egomaniacal morons in every profession, sadly. These two simply exemplify the types of egomaniacal morons who became judges.

04-21-2005, 11:52 AM	#14
judicial clerk College Benchwarmer Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Portland, OR	I would argue that being arrested for crimes does not mean that you have a criminal background. I would say convictions should be what is important.

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