[humanser] A question for the group

[JD Townsend]

Hi Jeff & All:

I have been in court a few times, providing testimony.  Never has there been 
any visual evidence.  The theatrics are, for the most part, only used in 
rare cases.  Having known blind lawyers and judges I feel very comfortable 
with my ability to act as a juror.  But, it is true that mental health 
professionals are rarely chosen.



JD Townsend, LCSW
Daytona Beach, Florida, Earth, Sol System
Helping the light dependent to see.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeffrey Schwartz" <sidney.schwartz at sbcglobal.net>
To: "'Human Services Mailing List'" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 5:44 PM
Subject: Re: [humanser] A question for the group


> J.D.
> As I think about it, there can be much more than pictures.  Depending on 
> the
> case there can  be an array of visual evidence.  On TV attorneys seem to 
> be
> very proud of their charts, time lines and other visual charts and 
> displays.
> I don't feel in good conscience that I could be as good a juror as I would
> be sighted.  A great deal depends upon the case, of course.  I would hate,
> however, to make a sociological point with someone's life or freedom 
> resting
> in the balance.  There are issues more important than how a small segment,
> in a rare circumstance views the blind.  Would you want a blind cab driver
> or neurosurgeon?  Would you insist on your guide dog's right to go into 
> the
> operating room.  Most of my dentists and periodontists  as well as
> internists have let my dog come with me.  A number of them, dog lovers,
> appreciated it.  I did, however,  have one dentist who didn't want the dog
> in the room.  He wore a gown, mask, goggles and head gear.  I think that 
> he
> was afraid of getting a faceful of HIV or Hep C.  I don't blame him.  New
> Haven has the highest per capita rate of AIDs in the country and he had an
> inner city practice.  It's a complicated issue and good judgment must
> dictate the parameters, not dogmatic adherence to our rights.  The latter
> can make us look celf centered and foolish.
> Jeff
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Jeffrey Schwartz
> Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 4:08 PM
> To: 'Human Services Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [humanser] A question for the group
>
> You may be waiting a very long time.  As a social worker, or other mental
> health professional prosecutors don't want us on the jury.  They think 
> that
> we are too lenient and excuse antisocial behavior on the grounds that the
> perpetrator is only a sad victim of his deprived childhood.
> Jeff Schwartz, PhD.
> Clinical Psychologist
> -----Original Message-----
> From: humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of JD Townsend
> Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 3:07 PM
> To: Human Services Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [humanser] A question for the group
>
>
> Hi All:
>
> I've been waiting a long time for a call to jury duty with no letter.  In
> Florida the jury rolls are determined by driver licenses, so it makes me
> wonder if my non-driver license may not find it's way into the selection
> box.  Like Melissa I've known blind friends who have serve.
>
> Pictures play only a small part in the vast majority of cases.  And, blind
> jurors don't fall into the trap of the defendant who looks guilty.
> Listening is the biggest skill for jurors and I can say with some pride 
> that
>
> many blind folks can give the light dependent a run for their money on
> listening skills.
>
>
> JD Townsend, LCSW
> Daytona Beach, Florida, Earth, Sol System
> Helping the light dependent to see.
>
>
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