The Progeny
Dumped (for jury duty) A-gain!
Boy, a person could really get a rejection complex, if I weren't so absolutely certain that I can't be any worse of a human being than half the people in the world....give or take a few billion.
So, after lying awake until about 1:00 a.m. with the ol' mind churning, I arose at 6:45 to achieve the unassuming but neatly attired Juror-of-Excellence look. I think we were reasonably successful, despite forgetting to apply make-up until almost out the door.
One might say I'd spent too much time at the computer, noshing oatmeal and reading news sites. But then, the Juror-of-Excellence must be informed. Otherwise they would merely by a Juror-of Mediocrity--and, I'm sure none of us wants that.
As the sun was burning off a heavy mist, I took my camera along. Usually, this insures nothing picture-worthy will be seen. But, I have learned that if I do NOT take the camera with me, missing a spectacular shot is absolutely guaranteed. (this was proven most conclusively in southern Illinois, when, camera-less, I stared into the face of a 6 point buck...*choke of dismay*....but, I still can't talk about it...)
However, my mind fully absorbed by the potential civic duty ahead, I passed up not one, not two, but THREE, maybe FOUR super photo-ops, just to ensure arriving at the courthouse "promptly at 8:40"
Naturally, we all sat cooling our jurisprudence heels in the courtroom for a good 25 minutes. BUT, I am so THANKFUL we didn't have to watch the instructional video again! Carefully crafted with bad actors representing an older farm-wife, a middle-aged professional black woman, and an eager young "I'm-just-out-of-college-and-I-know-everything" young buck, this jewel of state cinema photography was more than forgettable.
ANYWHO....it was another criminal case, with the defendant representing himself against driving with a revoked licence. This time I wasn't even called up to the jury box, but we still got to listen to the lawyer ask the usual questions, "Do you know the defendant? Do you know me? etc..."
THEN the prosecuting attorney asked if anyone had ever had their license revoked or suspended. Several had, and the most memorable was a spunky older gentleman with a shock of white hair and a comfy flannel shirt. When asked if he had ever driven while under suspension, he replied, "Oh sure. All the time! *much chuckling in courtroom* See, I've been driving since I was 10 years old...*suppressed smile from judge*.....I think some of these rules are crazy....grew up in Minnesota......but I always drove with respect for other people....I feel kinda sympathetic to this fellow...." *nods head toward defendant*
"Your honor, I move this juror be excused for cause...."
"Granted"
And all too soon, "us rejects" in the audience were excused, but told to call in again next Monday night...
My civic duty fulfilled, I left the courthouse, ate three chocolates, and took a few pics on the way home.
Hmmm....only two more months of jury duty.... Tweet
So, after lying awake until about 1:00 a.m. with the ol' mind churning, I arose at 6:45 to achieve the unassuming but neatly attired Juror-of-Excellence look. I think we were reasonably successful, despite forgetting to apply make-up until almost out the door.
One might say I'd spent too much time at the computer, noshing oatmeal and reading news sites. But then, the Juror-of-Excellence must be informed. Otherwise they would merely by a Juror-of Mediocrity--and, I'm sure none of us wants that.
As the sun was burning off a heavy mist, I took my camera along. Usually, this insures nothing picture-worthy will be seen. But, I have learned that if I do NOT take the camera with me, missing a spectacular shot is absolutely guaranteed. (this was proven most conclusively in southern Illinois, when, camera-less, I stared into the face of a 6 point buck...*choke of dismay*....but, I still can't talk about it...)
However, my mind fully absorbed by the potential civic duty ahead, I passed up not one, not two, but THREE, maybe FOUR super photo-ops, just to ensure arriving at the courthouse "promptly at 8:40"
Naturally, we all sat cooling our jurisprudence heels in the courtroom for a good 25 minutes. BUT, I am so THANKFUL we didn't have to watch the instructional video again! Carefully crafted with bad actors representing an older farm-wife, a middle-aged professional black woman, and an eager young "I'm-just-out-of-college-and-I-know-everything" young buck, this jewel of state cinema photography was more than forgettable.
ANYWHO....it was another criminal case, with the defendant representing himself against driving with a revoked licence. This time I wasn't even called up to the jury box, but we still got to listen to the lawyer ask the usual questions, "Do you know the defendant? Do you know me? etc..."
THEN the prosecuting attorney asked if anyone had ever had their license revoked or suspended. Several had, and the most memorable was a spunky older gentleman with a shock of white hair and a comfy flannel shirt. When asked if he had ever driven while under suspension, he replied, "Oh sure. All the time! *much chuckling in courtroom* See, I've been driving since I was 10 years old...*suppressed smile from judge*.....I think some of these rules are crazy....grew up in Minnesota......but I always drove with respect for other people....I feel kinda sympathetic to this fellow...." *nods head toward defendant*
"Your honor, I move this juror be excused for cause...."
"Granted"
And all too soon, "us rejects" in the audience were excused, but told to call in again next Monday night...
My civic duty fulfilled, I left the courthouse, ate three chocolates, and took a few pics on the way home.
Hmmm....only two more months of jury duty.... Tweet
posted by Ma Hoyt | 11:59 AM
2 Comments:
I'm trying to figure out what kind of system you have there. Why did you go back so soon, and why two more months? I guess they do it differently here. In fact, the different types of courts here call people in various ways. I've always gotten the kind where you go and if you don't get picked, you are eligible to be called for 6 months.
I suppose it has something to do with a sparsely populated area. (don't know if Des Moines and other larger cities are different...)
About 50 people or so were picked from our county for this 3 month time period. I heard from "the grapevine" that there hadn't been a real trial (over 1 day) for over a year. The fact that there was 3 day and a 1 day trial within 2 weeks of each other practically constitutes a crime wave!
Most people are a little miffed to have to come in and then go home. I heard one man mutter behind me as we were excused, "I lost $375.00 today." He was not a happy camper.
So, for three months, every juror has to call in on Mondays and listen to a recording telling them whether to report or not. And, they call you, or your boss to track you DOWN, if you forget!
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