Wolvertown

I continue in my service to The Great State of Ohio and this fine nation on jury duty for another week. I have taken much from my service to date, and thought I would summarize the more notable points here for your edification. Please do not interpret any of my comments as constituting legal advice. I am not a lawyer and cannot be held liable for any consequences you may suffer, including, but not limited to any indictments, incarceration, bench warrants, property liens, bail bondsmen, or general dirty looks from any law enforcement agents.

• If you are not guilty, do not, under any circumstances, confess.
• If you are not guilty, do not provide details pertaining to how an act was committed. You would probably not know how it was committed unless you committed it, so providing such details does not in any way exonerate you.
• Do not, under any circumstances (guilty or otherwise) sign a document entitled Waiver of Constitutional Rights. You will almost certainly regret such a decision.
• Audio recordings of you confessing to a crime while being interrogated by a detective may be used as evidence against you in a court of law.

I realize this is a lot to digest, and many of these points may be subtle or counter-intuitive. This is why it is so important to obtain your own legal counsel if ever suspected or charged with a crime. I hope it’s clear to you now why lawyers are by necessity some of the most highly-trained professionals in our midst.