幽默笑话精粹36：陪审团主席

　　A judge in a small city was hearing a drunk--driving case and the defendant, who had both a record and a reputation for driving under the influence，demanded a jury trial. It was nearly 4 p. m. and getting a jury would take time，so the judge called a recess and went out in the hall looking to impanel anyone available for jury duty. He found a dozen lawyers in the main lobby and told them that they were a jury.

　　一位小城市的法官正在处理一个酒后驾车的案件。被告曾经有过酒后驾车的记录，现在需要一个陪审团做出裁决。那时已经是下午四点，找个陪审团来会浪费很多时间。所以，法官就宣布休庭，然后就去随便找些人来充当陪审团。他正好发现在大厅里有十二个律师，就把他们叫来组成了陪审团。

　　The lawyers thought this would be a novel experience and so followed the judge back to the courtroom. The trial was over in about 10 minutes and it was very clear that the defendant was guilty. The jury went into the jury--room, the judge started getting ready to go home , and everyone waited.

　　这些律师们认为能做陪审团将会是个新奇的经历，所以就同意和那个法官回到了法庭。审讯十分钟就结束了，因为很明显被告是有罪的。接着，陪审团进行商议，法官做好了回家的准备，每个人都在等待着最后的结果。

　　After nearly three hours, the judge was totally out of patience and sent the bailiff in to the jury--room to see what was holding up the verdict. When the bailiff returned, the judge said，"Well have they got a verdict yet?

　　差不多三个小时以后，法官已经等不及了，他派法警去看看陪审团是否做出了最后的判决。当法警回来的时候，法官问他:“怎么样?他们做出了最后的判决没有?”

　　The bailiff shook his head and said，"Verdict? Hell，they' re still doing nominating speeches for the foreman’s position!”

　　法警摇摇头说:“判决?天哪，他们还在进行推选陪审团主席的演讲呢!”