So today I was summoned to jury duty. I think I'm on the A-list for jury duty because I have served about every 18 months for the past 15 years. How is it that some people NEVER get called for jury duty? Actually, I don't mind going...I love to people watch and when you're with that many people, it is always a great study of human behavior. Today was no exception.
By 10:30, we were called in to the court room and the interview process began. The judge and the attorneys questioned whether we knew the defendant, the plaintiff, listed the witnesses that would be called and asked if we knew any of them. Further, they asked if we had ever been in a car accident where we received back and neck injuries, did we smoke or have any bias towards those who do. Would we be able to award damages for pain and suffering or would we have trouble awarding those damages...and on and on with two hours of questions.
It was interesting listening to the answers. The one that I got the biggest kick out of was the man who said that he couldn't judge fairly, "this sounds like a frivolous lawsuit," he said, "and I have a big problem with that." The judge reminded him that he hadn't heard ANY of the testimony nor did he know the details of the trial. He was insistent with his bias. Needless to say, he was on of the first ones dismissed.
I love to see the way people come dressed, the way friendships/relationships are quickly formed. I get frustrated with people who don't seem to understand a line of questions and go on and on and on with answers that aren't to the point and don't even answer the question.
In the end, I wasn't chosen for the jury. I wasn't asked any questions that would have precluded me from serving although I did fill out a demographics form. Maybe they didn't want a white female or maybe I was too educated, I don't know. I would have been willing to serve, it sounded like an interesting case. Anyway, it made for an interesting day.
11 comments:
neither Spencer nor I have ever been called and truthfully, I'd like to. I love the study of human behavior as well. I think I'd enjoy learning how the whole jury thing works.
Sounds like that guy just did not want to be picked. I've been summons about 4 times but never been chosen either. I wouldn't mind so much if my job was easier to reschedule people. That is the only thing that makes me hopeful to not get chosen, otherwise I also think it would be interesting.
I've never been called. I think that Rachelle is the only one of us who has.
I'm with you...I think jury duty is an interesting/learning experience. I've been called a couple of times but I've never been selected for a jury. I have always really enjoyed the experience AND I got paid which is something that doesn't happen to me very often anymore. I always take a book with me and end up not reading a single page because I'm so interested in watching everyone around me, it was especially fun in Riverside County, lots of crazies there. Here in St. George it's a little more "normal", I always see my friends and neighbors in the jury pool.
I was selected once to sit on a jury. It lasted three days and it was an interesting process! In the end we decided against the plaintiff and for the defendant. It was in the Superior Court of Arizona and how this case ever made it that far is questionable. I know all of us, on the jury, felt that this case was so ridiculous that we were angry that our tax dollars had paid for it.
I believe that man knew just what to say so he wasn't chosen. I was on a jury 2 years ago. A son suing his father over 'stolen' Salvador Dali paintings. I didn't get to deliberate though, we left on vacation to Cancun before the trial ended. I had to be dismissed. I still wonder what the outcome was.
I was only called once- but it was right after I was married- and it was delivered to my parents house- who live in another county. They didn't yet "get the memo" that I had married and moved out of the county. When I replied with that reasoning, I was obviously, excused. Haven't been called since- but think I would kind of like to!
Jury duty is very interesting! But I must say, I hate to go. I seem to get called once a year, whether I need it or not!
Jury duty isn't really my favorite thing, but it is a responsibility that we have as Americans so its best to have a great attitude about it like you have. I need to follow your example next time I am called.
Hi Lauri,
To make those cupcakes....all you need is TWO tips. A tip 127 makes the petals and a tip 12 makes the centers. However, since I make these flowers often enough, I bought 6 tip 127's, and that way, I can fill up six bags with different colors of icing for the petals, and not have to change out tips, and just buzz through the whole thing. Then come along with my bag of yellow for centers with a tip 12, and put the middles on. You could also, use a yellow M & M if you so desire, and only need ONE tip! Try them, they are easy, pretty, and fun!
I have ALWAYS thought it would be so cool to do jury duty! Seriuosly, that's CRAZY how often you've done it?!! How fun/funny. Hey at least you didnt' have to miss a day of work for it!
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