The dreaded Jury Duty.
Let's face it we've all cringed when we get that jury summons in the mail. Excuses quickly fly out of our mouths; I can't miss work (really?), I hate driving into (insert your city here), it doesn't really matter, my opinion doesn't count, only old people have time for this, ad nauseum.
To me serving on a jury is one of the greatest things we can do as a citizen. Until a better way is found, being judged by a jury of one's peers is the closest thing to an honest ruling as one can get.
Yesterday I searched online at Barnes and Noble (where I work) and Amazon and to my surprise there are several books on how to avoid serving on a jury! Many more than how to serve on a jury.
Where is all this coming from you may ask? Mary usually keeps to her rule: I don't discuss anything to do with politics with friends or family. This is however a service I feel very strongly about.
I had jury duty last week. Yes, I am a true crime junkie, and love to watch crime documentaries, "Cops," and "Live PD" and the list could go on forever. I study on my own criminology, forensics, criminal profiling and such. I read textbooks on these topics for pleasure. So yes, I actually love jury duty. Some reason are obvious, see previous two sentences. Other reasons are not so obvious.
I have served on 4 juries so far in my lifetime. 2 criminal and 2 civil. Every single one of them was an eye opening experience. You get to actually see our Justice System in action.
I take serving on a jury very seriously. Others do not. Some will bitch and complain. They have better things to do with their time. They promised their grand child a great adventure on Friday, so damnit this thing better be over by then. There have been a few jurors who did not take it seriously. On one jury we were to be in the jury room at 9 a.m. promptly. Juror X didn't give a flip and decided they needed to buy groceries instead. They received a shock when they were picked up by an officer and escorted into the courtroom and dressed down by the judge. They held up court, held up witnesses that had other places to be after testimony, and by doing so wound up costing the taxpayers extra money.
I have found that in being on a jury, the jury panel becomes this close knit family, if you will, for the duration of the trial. Friendships are made, grand children's (and pet) photos passed around. You are with twelve very different people, from all walks of life for about 8 hours a day. You laugh, you cry, maybe have lunch together and yes you fight.
Being a juror is a very emotional experience (at least for me). You can't (and shouldn't) discuss the case you are on with anyone, including your fellow jurors, until final arguments are made and the judge reads the jury instructions on what to do and how to find the verdict. You go home and you can't tell your spouse what you heard that day, friends ask about it, but you can't tell them. Some get miffed: "Hey man, you know me, I won't tell a soul." But you know if you do you could cause a mistrial. It is a heavy burden. A burden I take with pride. For what ever reasons we as the jurors were selected, we have been entrusted with all we see and hear in the courtroom. I have gone home and cried, screamed in my car driving home, sat and pondered and sometimes not slept. Cases can be disturbing, graphic, extremely sad and horrifying.
Before deliberation can begin a jury foreman is selected. Most times no one wants to take that bull by the horn. I don't mind. The most recent trial I was a juror for, I served as foreman (foreperson?) and I take that job seriously. You must first get your fellow jurors settled down and ready to work. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes not. It's the first time all twelve of you can actually and actively talk about what you have seen and heard. You can review the evidence presented in court. On a civil trial only 10 of the 12 must be in agreement. On a criminal trial all 12 must be in agreement. It can get nasty, people fight, bargain, cajole and try to convince the others. The foreman has to guide everyone and keep things on track. Once a verdict is reached there are usually papers to fill out and be signed. Yes, that's your signature on there attesting to the verdict rendered.
Once back in the courtroom the foreman is usually identified, turns the verdict over to the bailiff and the verdict is read out loud to the court. Sometimes you are actually polled and have to answer in person, which can be scary, especially on a criminal case. After the trial you are usually given an opportunity to ask the judge and lawyers questions, and they may ask you questions. Your jury badge is turned in and away you go back to your normal life.
It's really not over, at least for a person like me. That insular family you formed is gone. Promises to keep in touch are usually forgotten; life happens. You grieve a little or a lot. You miss your "family," you grieve for the participants that were on trial and their families. You might second guess yourself, "did I do the right thing?" or " is that guy going to come after me when his time served is over?"
I compare jury duty to the french phrase "le petite mort" which roughly translates to "the little death." Similarly I, and maybe others go through the stages of grief-shock, denial, anger and acceptance.
Maybe it's just me, but I hope the next time you get a jury summons, that you take it seriously and with great pride. Being a juror is a priveledge. Hold it dear. Listen with an open mind. Make your decicison and know you have served well.
2.7.17
