Jury Duty

Here is a story about my day in court. This happened in May 2011. I called in the night before as you are supposed to do. There were 24 people called and I was the last one on the list. Oh phooey. Upon arrival at the court house, prospective jurors had to fill out a questionnaire about ourselves, including our occupations and the occupations of our children and spouses. Uh oh, already, I'm in trouble!!

We watched a 20 minute video about being on a jury which included interviews of three Supreme Court Justices (Roberts-boooo, Alito-double booooo, and O'Connor). Among the advice given was that flipping a coin was not considered an appropriate way for a jury to render a decision!!!!

When we got into the court room, I saw the defendants and the petitioner sitting with the lawyers, just like on TV. The three defendants, who looked like middle aged thugs, turned out to be prison guards and they were accused of violating the civil rights of the plaintiff, in a prison situation. They had 14 of us go up to the jury box, and were going to select 8 to actually hear the case. I was surprised to be among the 14 selected first, because my number was the last one, and because, well, let's just say, I'm different.

Under questioning, one of the prospective jurors announced that she read people's auras and had already drawn some conclusions about the case. Needless to say, she was excused immediately. Someone else disclosed an inability to sit down for long periods and was also excused. Then someone else complained about frivolous law suits that had been filed against her and she was also, of course, excused. Three people had someone in their family in law enforcement, two of them excused, and two people had been in jail during their lives, including one of the social workers (what the...) and neither was excused! The jury ended up also including a TV journalist, an opera singer, and two students. That was the jury of peers for three prison guards! Nobody seemed to be the same age, even, as the defendants.

I was not surprised that the defendants didn't want me on the jury! Those guards looked downright scary, even all spiffed up in their ill fitting suits. By the way, the plaintiff, in his prison jumpsuit, was pretty scary looking too, as was the older of the two Assistant DAs. I was afraid of everyone, except the judge who was a very cute man. He asked me what kind of art I did and seemed genuinely interested in what I do. When all the questioning was over, and as the judge was motioning for the lawyers to come together to make their final selections/objections, the Assistant DA representing the guards turn back and asked, in an incredulous tone, "Mrs. Lefkowich, I just have to ask: did you say you were a welder?" I clarified it wasn't automotive. Everyone laughed. But, then I was pre-emptively excused, which means that the DA had to exercise one of his, I think, three objections to get me off the jury. I think it was the welding that did it.

I got to go home and enjoy a lovely day weeding. That's my story. I didn't make it to the big time, but it was a very interesting few hours.