Well, I had a bit of luck. The jury letter came, and I opened it and put it somewhere that I’d be able to find it when necessary.
Today was the day before I had to show up. How would I manage getting there, parking in a spot close to the courthouse? Sit for hours while both sides choose the jury?
Last time I sat through jury selection was when it was held at the fairgrounds. Very tedious. Hard chairs that broke my back even more. Interesting case and as unbiased as I can be, I would have thrown the book at the guy who was on trial, for whatever the charge was.
Yep, unbiased me, doing my civil duty.
This time I really wouldn’t be able to sit for hours, answer questions about would I be biased or not? Would I repeat my answers because the judge couldn’t hear me? Could I talk louder? Nope. Nope. I can’t talk louder. My voice has gone back to a bare whisper, but if the judge would like, I’d sit next to her/him a whisper it in her/his ear.
I wonder if that would get me kicked out of jury selection or fined for being cheeky?
No matter because I did as instructed and called the day before after 5 p.m. and was told I didn’t need to show up! Yippee!
I kind of like doing my civic duty. It makes me feel like I’m giving back to my community and find it a rewarding experience.
The only time I was picked as a juror was in a civil case dealing with some sort of complaint about a real estate deal. As a juror, I concentrated on what was presented by both sides. All of the jurors did. Right when we, the jury, were going to deal out our verdict, we were released, told to go home and given the thank-you-for-your-service speech.
All that time and energy and then it was: Wham bam thank you ma’am.
One thing that experience taught me – court is nothing like on TV. I don’t think I’d like to be part of a murder case, or a rape case. I don’t even like watching “48 Hours” with their reenactment of murders and such.
I’d be too quick to judge.
I’d probably wonder if the judge ever got mad at the attorneys or the plaintiff or defendant.
I went to traffic court once and the woman who was called right before me made the judge so mad, that after the third time he warned her and she still didn’t shut her trap, he had the bailiff take her away.
I thought after that woman’s stupid action, that the judge might throw the book at me if I tried to give an excuse, so I stood in front of the judge and said, “Guilty, your Honor.”
I still wonder if that woman who was sassing the judge got thrown into jail. She should’ve – she ticked me off!
One of my husbands was an attorney. He was a personal injury lawyer and won big cases. It was interesting watching him in the courtroom – so direct and spot on versus being a bit bumbling when interacting with friends.
What’s a girl to do?…be glad I got passed over for jury duty this time. Maybe next time I’ll be too old!
Lucy Llewellyn Byard welcomes comments at lucywgtd@gmail.com
