Jury Duty

September 20, 2012



I have to share my jury duty story because whenever I think about it I laugh. I was supposed to go to jury duty back in January. I was in no shape to do that at that time. I called the special phone number to explain my situation. I tried really hard not to cry as I was talking. I never even had to finish the whole story. The young lady on the phone immediately said, "Just pick another date." So I picked a date in May. Surely I would be able to handle jury duty by then.

Well, May came sooner than I had imagined. I was now dealing with the certain demise of my marriage and my sister's illness. Taking care of two households after never doing anything like that before. Surely when I got there I would be excused.

Except I wasn't. We were picked for a criminal case with a particularly tough judge. But I was sure I could talk my way out of serving. I went up there in front of the defendant, the lawyers and the bailiff and told a real sob story. The judge simply looked at me and asked, "Will your sister be without care if you serve?" When I said no he told me I would not be dismissed. And when the lawyers found out I had never watched any of the many CSI shows on TV I was a keeper.

I reported on the assigned day. While we were waiting I started talking to another juror. She was a teacher. She told me she had called the law clerk to see if we could be dismissed early on Wednesday because her daughter had a wedding gown fitting. REALLY? We all got called to take roll and the clerk said to her, "You're dismissed from the jury because of your conflict."!!!!! I couldn't believe it. What about me? What about the fact that my life has been turned upside down?

We spent five days at the trial. It turned out to be a very interesting experience. I've always been interested in the law and really enjoyed the inner workings of the court. No more efficient than the medical system! But, I got an HOUR for lunch and always left early. I would do it again in a minute. So everything does happen for a reason!