For the past three days I’ve been at jury duty. And while I can’t share any specific information about the case while I’m under oath (I still have to report back on Monday), I will share what I can.
First, I don’t know about you, but for me, receiving a jury notice is akin to a check engine light alert.
Second, I no longer remember how many times I’ve been summoned over the years, but I do recall how many times I’ve been selected: Once — for a civil case.
It included a wedding crasher. (That’ll make sense in a moment.)
Two women were involved in an accident; the one at fault sued the other. In the end — after listening to the evidence and deliberating for about an hour — we returned a “not guilty” verdict. When the defendant walked over to the jury box to thank us, she said that the trial had caused her to postpone her wedding for two years!
In that case, jury selection lasted one day. The trial, a week. Quick and easy.
The criminal court case I am currently sitting through is moving much, much slower, and about as exciting as watching water drip.
Thankfully, it looks like the jury selection process will wrap up on Monday.
Several people were dismissed on day one due to hardships: One guy was the sole caretaker for his elderly father and blind daughter. Another person didn’t have the stomach for the case. Two others were on spring break from college, and had to return to school. And one person had so much social anxiety, she could hardly speak.
What I’ve learned over the last few days is that most people have a hard time being forthright, which makes the process unbearably slow.
It’s no surprise that public speaking is the number one fear. (Death is number five, in case you’re wondering.)
I usually have a lot of faith in people, but over the past few days, that has waned. Moreover, I don’t believe the majority of jurors on the panel will produce a fair trial.
I hope I’m wrong.
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