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Generic Other

(29,082 posts)

55. Having lived a long life without ever being involved with the law

Thu Jul 11, 2013, 01:26 PM

Jul 2013

this is a serious schooling for me.

I believe I am a good judge of character. I take an individual at their word unless I have reason not to. Maybe my form of justice hearkens to a different day when a person valued their good reputation and would readily stand to defend their honor (especially if innocent). Even as I am typing these words I can see how old-fashioned they sound. Almost like I am a throwback to a time when disputes were settled by placing your hand in an open flame to prove your innocence.

OK, counselor, I guess I promise not to ever jeopardize my defense by actually defending myself. What ridiculous thinking on my part! There is something not quite right about this concept. But I see now that the 5th is the default position for everybody -- not just for the mob! I plan to take it from now on about everything in my life since it won't be an admission of guilt.

I wonder how come I am still getting that dirty look:

"Hey, do these pants make me look fat?"
"I take the 5th."

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So when a person like Zimmerman refuses to take the stand in his own defense [View all] Generic Other Jul 2013 OP

so how many people facing these charges actually "take the stand" in their own defense? nt msongs Jul 2013 #1

the jury is specifically instructed not to interpret his refusal to testify as anything but Gman Jul 2013 #2

Well, that settles it then. RedCappedBandit Jul 2013 #6

Thanks. Made me laugh outloud. Booster Jul 2013 #33

Yes, frankly, it does. Unless you have cases to prove the contrary? WinkyDink Jul 2013 #72

Nope, I have no evidence that people sometimes don't follow directions. RedCappedBandit Jul 2013 #89

But they will Hugabear Jul 2013 #8

While that is correct, the Jury avebury Jul 2013 #49

Exactly, taking the stand then could be disastrous Gman Jul 2013 #66

Sometimes they comply with that. nt Deep13 Jul 2013 #52

It obviously could influence a juror's votes but Gman Jul 2013 #67

Exactly. nt MrScorpio Jul 2013 #86

He has every right not to take the stand. Travis_0004 Jul 2013 #3

They will be told not to judge him on the decision Bjorn Against Jul 2013 #4

It's very rare for a defendant to take the stand The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #5

+1 Hassin Bin Sober Jul 2013 #7

I didn't realize that was so Generic Other Jul 2013 #18

The problem a good prosecutor can do damage to a defendant, Lucinda Jul 2013 #20

In most case it's too risky The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #21

THAT is what made you think OJ was guilty? Not the blood evidence, DNA, Bruno Maglis, sweating in WinkyDink Jul 2013 #73

Of course the evidence seemed weighed against him too Generic Other Jul 2013 #83

I think this is the stuff of basic civics. I think this should be a disqualifier TheKentuckian Jul 2013 #88

maybe I'm just a bit optimistic justanaverageguy Jul 2013 #9

Well no, not me apparently Generic Other Jul 2013 #26

But if your lawyer told you not to would you still do it? Bonduel Jul 2013 #51

Having lived a long life without ever being involved with the law Generic Other Jul 2013 #55

Zimmerman has already opened his trap for tv interviews Quantess Jul 2013 #10

It actually put zimmerman in a unique situation Travis_0004 Jul 2013 #11

That's one reason it looks bad that he didn't testify in court. yardwork Jul 2013 #82

Its unethical to let a lying defendant to take the stand. jbond56 Jul 2013 #12

Oddly this almost makes sense Generic Other Jul 2013 #35

They cannot hold his refusal to testify against him, but... Demo_Chris Jul 2013 #13

They'll think he's acting on advise of counsel customerserviceguy Jul 2013 #14

But central to his case is his law abiding persona Generic Other Jul 2013 #22

Either the jury will follow the instructions customerserviceguy Jul 2013 #39

An upstanding citizen would be insane to take the stand in their defense metalbot Jul 2013 #62

Very informative. Thanks Generic Other Jul 2013 #65

Well, one thing pipi_k Jul 2013 #15

You are right he got his acquittal in the eyes of the law Generic Other Jul 2013 #24

That's true... pipi_k Jul 2013 #42

Can't speak for all jury members but if I were on the jury - lynne Jul 2013 #16

his lawyers know his ridiculous story would be shredded if he testified Skittles Jul 2013 #31

He basically got to testify when they played the tapes of the interviews he made MiniMe Jul 2013 #17

The prosecution allowed them because Sissyk Jul 2013 #45

Did OJ Simpson take the stand? MicaelS Jul 2013 #19

This is the instruction the jury will be given: onenote Jul 2013 #23

OJ Simpson NoGOPZone Jul 2013 #25

Didn't he try on the glove? Generic Other Jul 2013 #28

No way his lawyers were going to let him. moondust Jul 2013 #27

I thought that mercilessly humiliating him was the defense strategy today Generic Other Jul 2013 #30

Ha. I saw that. moondust Jul 2013 #34

He even said Zimm was more like Pee Wee Herman Generic Other Jul 2013 #36

the only similarity is that they're both child molesters ecstatic Jul 2013 #58

I suppose he meant what Pee Wee's fighting stance would look like Generic Other Jul 2013 #60

Yes, for real.....Zimmerman should ask for a refund from the gym. Grammy23 Jul 2013 #75

IIRC, Jury instructions often tell juries they are to draw no conclusions from such non-testimony cthulu2016 Jul 2013 #29

How could you not take it into account in this case Generic Other Jul 2013 #32

You know, armchair quarterbacking about what COLGATE4 Jul 2013 #40

I don't speak for anyone but myself Generic Other Jul 2013 #41

Perhaps by being a thinking person, or even just an American? cthulu2016 Jul 2013 #44

Then I will never serve on a jury because it does not serve justice Generic Other Jul 2013 #46

YOU, apparently, would be a crappy juror. GOOD jurors consider evidence exactly as they are supposed WinkyDink Jul 2013 #74

Yes I have been told all my life I don't fit the mold Generic Other Jul 2013 #85

This is the thing: juries ignore the instructions AngryAmish Jul 2013 #64

At least you have made a point of observing jury behavior Generic Other Jul 2013 #87

I tend to agree with this perspective Duer 157099 Jul 2013 #37

I don't blame him. It would be impossible to remember russspeakeasy Jul 2013 #38

That's like asking why would an innocent man hire an attorney pnwmom Jul 2013 #43

In this case we have a "law abiding" defendant Generic Other Jul 2013 #47

you would be violating jury instructions if you did this markiv Jul 2013 #48

You don't take the stand for the same reason you don't talk to the cops. Iggo Jul 2013 #50

Zimmerman was totally transparent to them Generic Other Jul 2013 #56

The objective of the prosecution is not to find out what is true anomiep Jul 2013 #68

Like anomiep says above, it's not a search for truth, it's a search for a conviction. Iggo Jul 2013 #70

Lots of people talk to the cops and then are subsequently told by their attorney... Hippo_Tron Jul 2013 #90

In most criminal cases, the defendant doesn't testify. MineralMan Jul 2013 #53

+1 JustAnotherGen Jul 2013 #57

So all these doors are full skeletons that will fall out? Generic Other Jul 2013 #63

I think these are the jury instruction rules in Florida: struggle4progress Jul 2013 #54

I don't see how I could do this Generic Other Jul 2013 #59

Jurors should vote to convict only if the evidence presented convinces them beyond struggle4progress Jul 2013 #61

I think Zimmerman is murdering scum etherealtruth Jul 2013 #69

Your opening question is all I needed to read to know YOU do not grasp American jurisprudence. WinkyDink Jul 2013 #71

Actually I was educated way upthread Generic Other Jul 2013 #78

No, if I was guilty I wouldn't take the stand & if I was not-guilty I would be even less inclined to Raine Jul 2013 #76

There is something sad about that Generic Other Jul 2013 #79

In this case especially, the defendant did not need Jenoch Jul 2013 #77

If I were him I'd not take the stand either. bravenak Jul 2013 #80

The decision is based upon numerous factors Savannahmann Jul 2013 #81

I have read that it is generally a bad idea to take the stand in your own trial. alarimer Jul 2013 #84