Week 4: Jury Duty

Not only am I working two part-time jobs, taking two college classes, and managing two teen boys... I'm also on Jury Duty for this quarter! This is an experience I welcome, so unlike many people I know who prefer to complain about it. My thinking is this; if I were involved in a trial, I would certainly like to know that the people sitting in the jury box actually want to be there and are paying attention.

The last time I was on Jury Duty was 4 years ago, and I was chosen to sit on a jury for a civil case. It was a very interesting experience, and I learned that court isn't exactly how they portray it on TV. I felt the lawyers made the case pretty much with their opening statements, and there were so many holes in the testimony timeline and several unanswered questions. If I remember correctly our decision did not have to be unanimous, but the majority of jurors were for the defendent.

This past Wednesday, I was called to arrive at the courthouse at 8:00am. While waiting in line to sign in, someone I know arrived and I asked, "Is this you today?" They said yes, and I knew I would probably not be chosen because I know the family and I knew details of the situation. But, I had to stay. We watched a video made by the state explaining how we were doing a very important job as jurors, and then we waited and waited. Then they let us go for an hour because the parties were in negotiations. We arrived back, and waited, and then were moved to another part of the facility while the parties sat before the judge. Later, when we were ushered back into the courtroom, the judge explained that there had been an agreement made, a type of plea bargain I think, and that we were dismissed as our services were no longer needed. The judge also took the time to explain the entire case to us, the agreement that had been reached, and he thanked us for our time. This all took most of the morning and we left right before noon.

I have to call the jury phone line tonight after 5:00pm to find out if I am needed for tomorrow. We shall see.