Jury Duty...
So, I was called to the courthouse for jury duty today... I sat about for a few hours while they chose a bunch of other people to be the jury. (I didn't even get selected by lot and then declined.)
It was a little startling, actually... a panel of 94 people, 3 didn't show up. They called 52, and only filled the 'alternate' spots on the jury with the very last person. That many people were challenged by a lawyer or excused. I kindof thought it wouldn't take that many people...
My mom was right. An astounding number of people (including the accused) turned up in jeans and sneakers... which I don't think I would ever have done, but that's okay.
But. The experience was kindof eerie. When they summon you, they don't tell you 'what' kind of case you're dealing with. This turned out to be an aggravated assault case involving a knife. The eerie part: I took the elevator up to the courtroom with the accused. Who was wandering about unescorted. I didn't think much of it - I got to the courtroom, the sheriff's office person directs me, and the guy infront of me is asked if he's there for jury selection when he walks past the guard towards the courtroom - he says "No, they're picking a jury for me". But... then they said "aggravated assault"...and I went "Oh... Okay..."
It was a little startling, actually... a panel of 94 people, 3 didn't show up. They called 52, and only filled the 'alternate' spots on the jury with the very last person. That many people were challenged by a lawyer or excused. I kindof thought it wouldn't take that many people...
My mom was right. An astounding number of people (including the accused) turned up in jeans and sneakers... which I don't think I would ever have done, but that's okay.
But. The experience was kindof eerie. When they summon you, they don't tell you 'what' kind of case you're dealing with. This turned out to be an aggravated assault case involving a knife. The eerie part: I took the elevator up to the courtroom with the accused. Who was wandering about unescorted. I didn't think much of it - I got to the courtroom, the sheriff's office person directs me, and the guy infront of me is asked if he's there for jury selection when he walks past the guard towards the courtroom - he says "No, they're picking a jury for me". But... then they said "aggravated assault"...and I went "Oh... Okay..."