We The Jury

I had to report for jury duty yesterday morning. I fully expected not to get picked. Not that I was hoping I wouldn’t get picked but because that would be my luck, that I wouldn’t get picked even though I wanted to be so I can be a part of the process and all that prideful nonsense about serving my country (or at least my county).

I did get picked though. So I sat on the jury with 5 other people and listened to testimony and saw evidence and enjoyed the process. Most everyone else complained about having to be there, but even if it turned out to be completely miserable, I figured I’d get an entry out of it at the least, so I was just happy to be there for the experience.

The trial itself ended yesterday about 3:30pm or so. We deliberated until 6:15pm and were 3-3 on one charge (there were two, the second of which we all agreed on immediately). The judge sent us home and asked us to come back at 9 this morning. We didn’t begin deliberations again until 9:45 or so, but we deliberated from then until about 1:30pm before we reached a unanimous verdict.

After we reached the verdict, we ate lunch – which they provided for us. They gave use menus from a pizza place and then they went and got the food for us and just as they brought it back we had reached a verdict. The other members of the jury decided to make me the foreperson, which was pretty damn cool, I must say, because they felt I was instrumental in helping everyone reach a “not guilty” consensus. I will never again bemoan my philosophy degree.

We all felt really good about it and the defendant and defense attorney were visibly relieved when the verdict was read aloud. It was pretty awesome.

And I’m taking the rest of the day off work because I don’t want to drive all the way up there for 2.5 measly hours of work. I will stay home and clean or work on my altered book instead. I think that’s a nice reward for having done my civic duty and all.

Mangocitrus

August 13, 2008

That’s really cool! I would LOVE jury duty but will NEVER be allowed to get picked because of my job.

Heh, see the one time I did it, it was terrible! Aggravated assault.

Jury duty sounds pretty sweet! Plus, you get a day off work. 😉

Shesolovely

Good for you!

plushcreep

I’ve only ever been called once, in California, and never actually served on a jury. Not really sure I’d want to…though pizza always sounds good.

ryn: I love my little cutter too but I would love to have something that can make shapes, or Even better, I really want to do vinyl lettering on my wall…

Dev

Okay, I would hate to be called for jury duty, but I love the idea of being chosen as the foreperson. How cool!

Zaphod

I always wanted to do jury duty. The only time I ever got called was when I was living in LA and my boss said no way and signed a dealie that said they couldn’t spare me. I was disappointed.

Way cool for you! I’ve been craving pizza for the last couple of weeks.

Ooh. It’s like six angry Langwideres. But, um…why only 6? Here we have 12. I thought you did as well.

_Smallville_

Awesome! I can’t wait to hear the details. Knowing you as well as I am lucky enough to, I am not surprised at all that they picked you to be the foreperson. Good job! Did you get a certificate?

lady dmaj

August 14, 2008

That’s pretty neat. And everyone told us doing philosophy was a waste of time. :p

midnight radio

Know what? I’d totally love to get jury duty! I have a Criminology Certificate and it would be an awesome experience for me, yanno?~jo

August 15, 2008

RYN: It’s okay, because as much as it sucks to not be able to stay asleep, it’s always wonderful to wake up next to you, and I get to do it like 500 times a night! CB,

mrowsera

August 17, 2008

That’s awesome! I’m not sure how I missed this entry before. Yay, civic duty! RYN: Jason got to be that guy because he’s personable, and because he’ll do almost anything for Jenny.

Jolene

August 22, 2008

I was called for jury duty once and didn’t even get to go to the courthouse as it had been cancelled before it even begun. I don’t think I’d do well – my anxiety would make me feel awful for no matter what verdict I chose. If verdict was not guilty, I’d worry about whether that was right…or visa versa. Fun stuff. Anyway. Randomed in from Mangocitrus’ diary.