Serving my country
Jun. 29th, 2005 07:26 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lumy12I did my patriotic duty yesterday.... I reported downtown for jury duty.
I had hopes I would be let off when I didn't have to report at 8am, but was told to call at 11am to see if I would be needed - and I didn't get off the hook. Found the correct parking garage, actually walked to the courthouse without getting lost as well (shuttles are for wimps - okay, no really I just thought I would get more lost if I used it - faulty logic?). Was appropriately scolded for losing my summons. The guy at the desk said he'd make sure I got assigned to a 21-day trial. Ha ha. I heard him say the same thing to the late people.
When we were up on the 10th floor waiting to file into the courtroom in numerical order (my "inner Monk", as my bro would say, liked that part), this middle-aged black guy kept announcing to anyone who would listen - "Unless you're dead or dying, you ain't gettin' excused" - he said this until the bailiff politely told him to shut up. This guy was amusing during the questioning as well. He had remarks for just about all questions. It was a DUI case, so there were plenty of alcohol- and DUI-related questions.
And the guy to my left kept saying how much he hated cops, etc. After 2 groups of people were let go and this guy was still there, I remarked that I was surprised he was still there. He said "They know I'm going to vote this guy innocent, I don't know why they don't let me go" - heh. Nice. They did eventually let him go.
I actually found myself WANTING to be chosen to serve. Out of 54 people, I knew it wasn't likely I'd be picked, but a DUI is more interesting than some boring civil suit, and the trial was only expected to last 2 days (with yesterday counting as one day even though it took all afternoon to select the jury). The judge struck me as really nice and friendly. She must have selected oodles of juries before, but she acted as if she was really interested in all our answers.
The defendant reminded me, appearance-wise, of a friend of A's. He looked like a nice guy. Without knowing any facts, I thought, "This guy doesn't deserve to go to jail." Am I too "nice" to be on a jury? But all of us are innocent until proven guilty so maybe I had the right attitude.
Alas, they kept 21 jurors, and dismissed the rest of us. I found myself feeling kind of rejected: Why didn't they pick me? Did they analyze the way I spoke and find me unsuitable to be a juror? Could they tell I don't like speaking in front of large crowds and deem me unworthy of serving? Or was it just random?
I made 2 single-serving friends at the courthouse (I love using that phrase from Fight Club)... a guy whose wife used to work at my work, and a lady from my row, who happens to work for the photo radar ticket people, with even more inclination to get lost than myself (we walked out together and promptly got lost - at least SHE will ask directions!) I'm glad I went, I must say it was a more enjoyable way to spend the afternoon than I had thought. And now I'm free for at least 18 months.
I had hopes I would be let off when I didn't have to report at 8am, but was told to call at 11am to see if I would be needed - and I didn't get off the hook. Found the correct parking garage, actually walked to the courthouse without getting lost as well (shuttles are for wimps - okay, no really I just thought I would get more lost if I used it - faulty logic?). Was appropriately scolded for losing my summons. The guy at the desk said he'd make sure I got assigned to a 21-day trial. Ha ha. I heard him say the same thing to the late people.
When we were up on the 10th floor waiting to file into the courtroom in numerical order (my "inner Monk", as my bro would say, liked that part), this middle-aged black guy kept announcing to anyone who would listen - "Unless you're dead or dying, you ain't gettin' excused" - he said this until the bailiff politely told him to shut up. This guy was amusing during the questioning as well. He had remarks for just about all questions. It was a DUI case, so there were plenty of alcohol- and DUI-related questions.
And the guy to my left kept saying how much he hated cops, etc. After 2 groups of people were let go and this guy was still there, I remarked that I was surprised he was still there. He said "They know I'm going to vote this guy innocent, I don't know why they don't let me go" - heh. Nice. They did eventually let him go.
I actually found myself WANTING to be chosen to serve. Out of 54 people, I knew it wasn't likely I'd be picked, but a DUI is more interesting than some boring civil suit, and the trial was only expected to last 2 days (with yesterday counting as one day even though it took all afternoon to select the jury). The judge struck me as really nice and friendly. She must have selected oodles of juries before, but she acted as if she was really interested in all our answers.
The defendant reminded me, appearance-wise, of a friend of A's. He looked like a nice guy. Without knowing any facts, I thought, "This guy doesn't deserve to go to jail." Am I too "nice" to be on a jury? But all of us are innocent until proven guilty so maybe I had the right attitude.
Alas, they kept 21 jurors, and dismissed the rest of us. I found myself feeling kind of rejected: Why didn't they pick me? Did they analyze the way I spoke and find me unsuitable to be a juror? Could they tell I don't like speaking in front of large crowds and deem me unworthy of serving? Or was it just random?
I made 2 single-serving friends at the courthouse (I love using that phrase from Fight Club)... a guy whose wife used to work at my work, and a lady from my row, who happens to work for the photo radar ticket people, with even more inclination to get lost than myself (we walked out together and promptly got lost - at least SHE will ask directions!) I'm glad I went, I must say it was a more enjoyable way to spend the afternoon than I had thought. And now I'm free for at least 18 months.
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no subject
Date: 2008-07-21 12:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-21 04:28 am (UTC)Okay but yeah, pain in the ass, I'm sure.
I haven't been called since but I see it's been more than 18 months!
no subject
Date: 2008-07-21 04:38 am (UTC)