We, the Jury

For the second time in two months, I got called to jury duty! I couldn't believe it when I got the second summons! The first time it was in Orem and the trial was canceled because they reached a plea. The second time it was in Provo. It wasn't much fun, but it sure could have been worse.

First we all showed up at the courthouse. If you've never been on a jury, you bring your summons with you and they assign you a number. Fortunately, I brought a book. Always bring a book. We waiting around until they called our numbers and then we went in the courtroom to fill our a jury questionnaire.

That's when I realized that this was not a jury I wanted to serve on - there were questions relating to sexual assault. Yuck. Several people were late, but once we were all there and finished the paperwork, we had LOTS of time to sit around while the lawyers read all our questionnaires. Then we got to watch this swell video all about jury duty and how important it is. I can't argue with that, not really, but the video was so very earnest. Then the lawyers on both sides told us everyone that would be involved. The judge wanted to know if we knew anyone who would be involved in the case in any way and if we knew any of the other prospective jurors.

Then they called us back one at a time. This is your chance to get out of serving. That, and if you are related to any of the witnesses, of course. They asked me about one of my answers, that I had a relative who had been a victim of sexual assault. I talked a little about that and said that yes, I would have a very hard time being impartial because I was still very angry about it. I think that's why they didn't call me. Then they finished and I went back to wait some more.

And waiting was basically all we did. That, and listen to people talk. It wasn't so bad at first. It was kind of interesting. But I have been sick with stomach problems, so I wasn't feeling good to start with, and then I started getting hungry. I have decided that if you want a jury to vote for conviction, keep them hungry. I was getting grumpier and grumpier. The longer I sat there, the more guilty the defendant looked. I guess if you want an acquittal, you ought to cater for the jury. They'd be too mellow to vote for conviction. (I'm mostly kidding here, BTW. Don't yell at me.)

Finally they announced the numbers of the jurors chosen. My answer, or my grumpy looks, got me off the hook because they called the numbers on either side of me, but I got to go home. When I heard what the charges were, I was really glad. It would have been very nasty.

The judge thanked us all for coming and for accepting the 'invitation' to be there. Some people, he said, had declined his invitation, so they would get a 'special invitation' to explain why they didn't come the first time and a chance to do 8 hours community service for the United Way. Then for those who declined that invitation, they would get a VERY special invitation called a warrant. They would get to spend a night in jail and then talk with the judge. He said that in some states, judges don't follow through with a jury summons like that, but in Utah, they take it serioulsy. So he asked us to spread the word among our friends and neighbors.

All in all, it was an interesting experience. I'm glad I brought something to read (Wizards at War by Diane Duane, in case you're interested) because it took forever. In fact, I finished my book. But I'm done for a year or two, and I learned a little something too.