Jury Duty
It's one's Civic Duty.
I reported last week for my annual exposure to the justice system. As I don't keep up with local news (no TV) one can imagine how thrilled I was to learn that there were four death penalty cases underway at the time. Odds again were in my favor as my jury pool was selected for pretrial screening for one of them. My joyfulness meter simply bubbled over when the judge informed us that the trial was expected to last eight weeks. To be fair, someones life is on the line and every consideration should be taken. However, eight weeks is a very long time to be making $15/day + one way mileage reimbursement.
After being denied a financial hardship excuse - single, self-employed, with no one else to financially support just doesn't really cut it - the remaining members of my pool were given a 27 page questionnaire probing our respective views on the legal system and our positions on the Death Penalty. This is definitely one of those times when holding moderate views doesn't help. We were told to report yesterday morning for more detailed screening.
For those who have an acute understanding of the Law, you'd no doubt conclude that I wasn't impaneled. I wouldn't be able to talk about the case at all if I was. Skipping past the philosophical discussion, the case is People vs. Lynn Dean Johnson.
I have to say, the entire process, while excruciatingly slow (we never once started on time after any recess), was very educational. It's been years since I've had to consider my views on the Death Penalty and Life w/o possibility of parole. Just being forced to weigh in on this subject matter made me think about where I stand, how my life's experiences shapes this view and how I reconcile my various thoughts with my personal morale values.
I'll write more about my thoughts on the case and further reflect on my experience over the next couple of days. I'm definitely going to follow the outcome of this case and may even decide to sit in on a session if my schedule permits it.
I reported last week for my annual exposure to the justice system. As I don't keep up with local news (no TV) one can imagine how thrilled I was to learn that there were four death penalty cases underway at the time. Odds again were in my favor as my jury pool was selected for pretrial screening for one of them. My joyfulness meter simply bubbled over when the judge informed us that the trial was expected to last eight weeks. To be fair, someones life is on the line and every consideration should be taken. However, eight weeks is a very long time to be making $15/day + one way mileage reimbursement.
After being denied a financial hardship excuse - single, self-employed, with no one else to financially support just doesn't really cut it - the remaining members of my pool were given a 27 page questionnaire probing our respective views on the legal system and our positions on the Death Penalty. This is definitely one of those times when holding moderate views doesn't help. We were told to report yesterday morning for more detailed screening.
For those who have an acute understanding of the Law, you'd no doubt conclude that I wasn't impaneled. I wouldn't be able to talk about the case at all if I was. Skipping past the philosophical discussion, the case is People vs. Lynn Dean Johnson.
I have to say, the entire process, while excruciatingly slow (we never once started on time after any recess), was very educational. It's been years since I've had to consider my views on the Death Penalty and Life w/o possibility of parole. Just being forced to weigh in on this subject matter made me think about where I stand, how my life's experiences shapes this view and how I reconcile my various thoughts with my personal morale values.
I'll write more about my thoughts on the case and further reflect on my experience over the next couple of days. I'm definitely going to follow the outcome of this case and may even decide to sit in on a session if my schedule permits it.