Jury Service. Day one.

[mythichistorian]

Arrive (on time) at court, to be greeted by airport style metal detection machine and uniformed court officer with waveable wand.  No, I have not been co-opted to serve on a Wizarding jury, just that someone managed to smuggle a knife into another court room just recently and now they're checking everyone and everything twice.  Including me.

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Comments

[gileswench]

Yes, as you have learned, you definitely brought entirely the wrong reading material. PG Wodehouse or a juicy mystery novel, if that's more your cuppa, makes much better 'waiting to be called into the court at jury duty' reading. IOW, keep it light, keep it pointless, and don't try to learn anything while you're waiting. It just doesn't work.

Listen to the Voice of Experience! I've only had to appear for jury duty once! Of course, I immediately got seated on the jury for a six-week murder trial of incredible sordidness, which was just not the thrill ride some people might think. (shudders, whimpers for Mommy) Not my idea of a good time.

I think on Wednesday you should instigate your fellow prospective jurors to paint the waiting room. Then you could double check which is more interesting. Plus, at the end you'd have dry paint and a whole lot more people going up before the judge. Just a thought.

[mythichistorian]

... at the end you'd have dry paint and a whole lot more people going up before the judge

Hee! It would certainly be a little more productive than today ...

I definitely made the wrong choice of books (don't let Giles hear me say that) - I need something much lighter and far less demanding. I was even contemplating taking some sewing at some point today, but I'm not sure if they'l let me through the security check with scissors in my bag.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get a non-taxing, non-harrowing case to try (if I get picked at all ...)

[gilesbabe]

Just a little curious. How long do you need to report? In Arizona, we report on the scheduled day and if we aren't picked for duty we are excused and don't have to serve again for two years. Last month was my first time being summoned, and I spent around 4 hours at the courthouse. I was chosen for a jury, but was one of the ones dismissed by the lawyers. No reason given, just 'thanks, don't need you'.

[mythichistorian]

We were told an average of two weeks - which could mean sitting on more than one case if you get short cases and get picked in both weeks. But I got the impression they only have one active court this week, so the demand for jurors seems to be less than usual. If I'm lucky, I'll be on call for just this week and they'll dismiss me on Friday.

In the mean time, I have to hang around and be available ...