Day 13 – Civic Duty

“I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.”
-Thomas Jefferson

I got chosen for a jury. Trial starts tomorrow. We had several academics in the jury pool who debated the racial profiling in police work and how it has created a judicial system that is inherently harsher on non-whites of lower social economics than it does on whites even in areas where blacks are a significantly smaller percentage of the population.  I blame Dr PhD in Sociology who teaches at a local university for that debate. I suspect it is what resulted in the jury pool being full of professionals.  Three doctors, a nurse, a teacher, a couple of consultants, a teacher, and a couple students. 

Whether her assertion is right or wrong, we are being asked to look at the evidence presented by the state and see if they proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the person is guilty. It became clear her rant created an environment where half of the jury pool got ruled out as they started agreeing with her. I would love to think it was a ploy, but sadly, no.  What is even more sad is that she missed an opportunity to see if her academic studies matched her experience.  But, she denied herself that opportunity.

So, that’s where I will be through Friday. 
Wish me luck….

8 Comments Add yours

  1. Osbasso says:

    Remember to sneak a picture for HNT with the judge’s robe!

  2. You and Your Jury duty…. Best of luck.. remember to yell “You can’t handle the truth!!” Or “My girl like to party all the time, party all the time, PARTY all the time” That would of got you off duty!

  3. Vixen says:

    Blech. Good luck with that.

  4. Jobthingy says:

    LOL! OS!

    you are the first person i know that has been a juror. seriously. i dont think they call on us here or something. if they do, its top secret LOL

  5. Secretia says:

    Thanks for doing it, you’ll do it well, I am sure.

    Secretia

  6. Just me... says:

    Since they’ve already split, I’ll do it for the few dozen who didn’t have to serve..
    Thanks!! :):)

  7. Ms Scarlett says:

    Hopefully it’s an interesting and worthwhile experience!

    Good luck!

  8. garbonzo says:

    Next to voting, jury duty is the single most important right and responsibility held by the American people (in my humble opinion). Enjoy living the American dream!

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