Jury Duty - June 23, 2008

This was a very exciting day. I was picked to appear in court for jury duty. I had no hope of being picked as a juror, but I go as summonded to fulfill my civic duty. My morning started early since I would attempt to take the city bus downtown. Never done it before, but since the they mailed a bus pass and parking was a few blocks further than the transit center, I thought I would be a good time to try it. The bus ride was only 25 minutes. The bus was full of every type of class and age. I could see most were on their way to work. It was very clean and comfortable. It felt more like a shuttle than a city bus. Nonetheless, it was quite simple and enjoyable.

Arrived downtown with plenty of time to get checked in. Walked across the street to the Courthouse, made it through the security checkpoint with minimal issues. The hair things always cause those scanners to beep at me! I should know better, I've gone through this hundreds of times at the airport. But at the airport they pull you aside and do the whole wand and pat down drill. At the Courthouse, they made me take out the decorative, metal clip. YIKES! How will I get all that hair back up there?! Well, the attendant was gracious enough to let me hold the bunch of hair on top of my head, while I proceeded back through the electronic gate. Whew....made it!

Once inside the juror assembly room, we checked in and later watched a video about the importance of why we're there and what we'll do. I sat, met and chatted with several interesting individuals. Then we waited to be either dismissed or called into court. Lucky me...I got called to line up with 30 other people to enter a trial.

We all got in line, in a certain order and proceeded to the courtroom. There were 12 jurors in the juror seats and then the rest of us were extras in the "audience". The attourneys asked a few questions, something to the effect of wether any of the jurors have had experience in a criminal case involving a family member, or been involved with the prison or law enforcement or know any of the witnesses. Much to my chagrin, several people raised their hands and were questioned about their experience. I was shocked at the number of people who had family members in prison and 2 of the jurors were ex-convicts. Oh boy! WOW...this is getting exciting.

In the end, they dismissed all of the ones that raised their hands and called a new set of jurors to be seated in one of the twelve seats. Guess who got chosen??? I was really excited. My first trial as a juror and a criminal case at that! Can you tell I don't get out much?!??!

So, it's 10 AM and here we go. Opening remarks between the prosecutor and defendant. In a nutshell, the trial was between two inmates who got in a tussel and we, the jury had to make a judgement as to whether the defendent, who bopped the other guy with a cane, would be classified as 2nd degree assault, vs. 4th degree. We heard testimony and then got dismissed for lunch.

It was so great to go to lunch and have adult conversation. Did I mention I work from home and don't get out much?! After an hour and half we reconvened and heard a little more testimony. Attorneys gave their closing remarks and we went into deliberations. Luckily it was unanimous and we gave our verdict. By 3 PM the case was closed!

It was a very interesting day and it felt really good to know I was doing something important. And furthermore, in this case, really helped the defendent, who looked a little teary eyed and relieved when the verdict was read. So, now I've fulfilled my civic duty for 2 years. I can honestly say, I look forward to the next time.

Then to end the day with a shopping trip downtown was just the icing on the cake!

WOW...have I really started?!?!?

Ok, this has been a big joke...me blogging; because frankly, I can't think of anything too exciting about working, going to church, playing w/ my kids and cooking dinner, very inspiring or deep (Thank you, Holly). But there have been so many events, happenings, or funny things come up and people have said, "You should blog that". Well, I think I just might start today. Not only to keep my friends and family up to date on our "exciting" life...HA, but I want to leave a "journal" for my kids. I have tons of photos and have created a few scrapbook or photo albums, but this will actually include my thoughts and something they can go back through, years later, and remember. I've always been a "diary-journal" person, but the busy-ness through the years have not allowed me to sit down and write, with pen and paper. Typing is waaay easier! Now I have no excuse. I hope you will allow me to share my love, my life, my all (which is what God is to me) and keep me posted on yours as well.