Most of us, if we are truthful, fuss and kick, complain and whine at the bother of being summoned for jury duty. It is always an inconvenience at best and never a good time. Who will pick up the kids, attend to granny, complete the paperwork at the office, drive the school bus, or tend to the patients?
I’m no different from you and chewed on my lip as I waited to see if my juror number would be called. I’d already been excused from federal jury duty once when I had cataract surgery. I could not be excused this time, a problem since Tom is scheduled to have surgery during the two week span of my required service.
Life is difficult at times, isn’t it? We have choices we make and choices that are made for us.
So, last Monday, I dressed up like a big girl and Tom drove me to the Metra station, where I bought a week’s worth of tickets. I rode on the eastward rail, into Chicago, clutching my summons and map and a tote filled with a book and a crossword puzzle, a doctor’s note excusing me on the surgical date, and a little bit of hope that I wouldn’t be selected, and, if truth be told, and ladies and gents, this was a court of law, so I must tell the truth, if truth be told, a little bit of hope that I would be selected.
I am fascinated by our judicial system and have respect for our founders and the system of justice they conceived. In this 21st century, it is complicated and confusing to laymen and women such as myself, and there is criminal and civil and circuit and federal court, grand juries, and on and on, but there I was, summons in hand, waiting and waiting and waiting to see what my immediate future would hold.
I was selected after a process of questioning and review, along with eight other men and women. The week was not to be mine. It belonged to the large district in which I reside.
We were sworn in, a jury of nine, and heard opening arguments. It really works this way, but, make no mistake, this is real life in real time and is about the rights of our citizens and law and order, not to be confused with a television series. I sat and took notes and watched and listened along with my peers for four days as the civil trial played out and the fourth amendment rights of a citizen, a child, were played against those who are sworn to defend and protect, our law enforcement, and the question of undue force was examined. It was fascinating and intimidating, exhausting and enlightening and frustrating as well. We were instructed to speak not a word about the trial to anyone, nor watch news that related to the subject at hand or read news items or tweet, chirp, chatter or blog.
At the end of the trial, closing arguments were heard; all eyes upon us, we jurors, citizens from all walks of life. Our instructions were laid out, a deputy escorted us to our appointed room, where our cell phones were taken, the door was locked, we selected a spokesperson for the jury, and deliberations commenced.
Let me tell you, dear reader, that this was a task that was serious. Voices were raised and feelings exposed and tallies taken of pros and cons. It was lively and deliberate (hence, deliberations) and the fact that the course of several lives was at stake weighed heavy on this juror. I am not inexperienced, nor faint of heart. I have dealt in my life with employee relations and student discipline matters involving expulsions. Each and every time I have been called upon to render tough decisions, I have tossed and turned on the evidence and weighed all the facts in my decision making. This was no different in that respect. It is a gut-wrenching process in which I would hope that should it ever be me that each and every juror would exercise due diligence in my fate.
A verdict was reached, a unanimous decision, and the balance of justice was served. I encourage you to serve if and when you are called to uphold the law of your land, wherever your home is, should you be called.
Of course, I am sitting here hoping I am not called up for yet another week (and certainly don’t need another set of days of enduring our infamous former governor, whose trial is going on in the same building).
I did truly have a horror of this when my kids were little because I was the at-home person. And thank goodness I was never called. Then a young friend of mine served, and he said, Nan you could never do it. He was at a trial that dealt with mistreatment of children. He’s right. I would cover my ears. I wouldn’t be able to bear it.
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I know, Nan, these things are not easy, especially when we have young children at home. Though this wasn’t as bad as one might think and justice was served, I am relieved it is all over.
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I haven’t done jury duty in years.When I did, it was a case of families fighting over a will. It was a very ugly affair and it was sad to see a family split after the death of a parent. I was so relieved when it was over. It is a formidable responsibility. In many other countries they have professional jurors that have extensive knowledge of the law. I can’t decide what I think about that it sounds good, but I don’t like to second guess our founding fathers. They had so much wisdom and I believe they were divinely guided.
I know you did a good job and didn’t take your responsibility lightly. Hopefully you are finished for now and have time to take a breather before Tom has his surgery. Besides that, a week with Blago.. is certainly enough.
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I am always incredulous at the lengths people go to over a will, Janet. I’ve never been subject to inheritance, but, I don’t think any of us are entitled to get anything when someone dies. What ones gets is a gift – but, that’s just me. I”m sure you were exhausted by it all. I am relieved to have this one over.
I did. You know me. I wear the weight of the world on my shoulders sometimes. I could use a breather this week; and then there are the bills, the weeds, the kitchen floor. ha!
Blago! I kept hoping we would be dismissed each day before his trial was to avoid the media circus.
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I did mean to respond to the idea of professional jurors, Janet. Hm. While on first blush it sounds good, the idea of paying professionals to come to a verdict doesn’t sit well with me. Perhaps because it is not what I’m used to. I do agree that our founding fathers got it right as you say. Perhaps others will weigh in on this.
The two photos, by the way, were taken in Independence Hall in Philadelphia. This is the room where the Constitution was drafted and signed. It was one of the most inspiring, humbling historical places I’ve ever been to.
We do get paid a whopping $40/day plus travel expenses based on where you live, which will buy groceries and a ham sandwich. tee hee
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Good for you, Penny. I must confess it’s something I’ve always got out of. It must take strength, and I’m sure you did well with the task.
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I have, too, Juliet. Until now. I really don’t mind doing my duty as a citizen, but, now that I have, I hope I am done. It was harder than I would have thought it could be.
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Well done Penny. Very well done indeed.
I have been called up a couple of times but excused because of my teaching work. Once since retired and thought I was in for the long haul but the accused changed his plea to guilty. I was very happy I must say.
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At least this trial was done within a week. The judge was very efficient and clear in her goals and the attorneys toed the mark on this one. She was also fair and explained the process to the jury each step of the way. I am glad it is over. It was harder deliberating than I thought it would be. Thank you, Joan.
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Good damp, cold, rainy morning to you! (and these are the facts!!)
A wonderful post Penny and so well written. I have had the opportunity of serving on a jury for Attemped Murder! Quite an interesting event that was! Quite humbling when you are responsible for someone elses life! But, it did feel so good to be a responsible USA citizen!
M.A. ox
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Just the facts, ma’am, just the facts, and a damp, cold, rainy evening to you, Mary Anne.
Thank you. Oh. Attempted murder. That must have been quite an experience and it is humbling to have the others’ lives resting on one’s shoulders during deliberation. I’m just glad it is over and glad to have done my duty.
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Many are called but few are chosen: I must look deeply dodgy, because while I have been available for many a jury, those in the stand kept objecting to me. What is it, in my face, which tells them I might be trouble?
A momentous post today. Even when the subject is weighty, the minutiae can make one’s brain throb. Well done for the last week, and may you be spared the next…
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Ah, I’ve been excused many-a-time, Kate. I was surprised I was chosen this time.
Thank you. It was, indeed, weighty and the lives of several weighed on me, but, once it was done, I felt good at having served.
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Penny if I ever went on trial I would want you as my juror! I have no doubt you weighed every matter and put great thought into your decision. Thank you for those great photos of Independence Hall!
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That is nice of you to say, Janet. It was hard deliberating; more so than I would have thought. I had to look for the file with the Philadelphia pictures to find those. I just loved being in Independence Hall. The sense of history and all that transpired and was at stake really weighs down when there. These patriots were committing acts of treason.
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