But don't you feel good about it? I felt really good about it, even though it was hard for me to go. And you had a really nice walk (even though you wasted a bunch of time being there, at least you got some exercise and got to see a bit of the world.)
Citizenship is something that gives us rights, but it has obligations too. Taxes, jury duty, voting, are the minimums. So whenever I hear that a woman is trying to get out of jury duty because she has a child, even though she works full time and could serve, I wonder about equality and the fight for women's rights being pointless because those kinds of women don't actually want to be full citizens. Women weren't allowed on juries until the 1960s in some states.
My main concern is that it might force me to shut down my spa for a few days, if they do pick me for a a jury and I can't get anyone to cover my shifts. I could have listed that as a "hardship" on the official juror registration form, but like you, I take the whole citizenship thing very seriously. If doing my duty means less business for a while, so be it. The murder trials I was on were very sad and icky, but if I didn't do it, who would?
I've never served on a jury. As a law student, I think I have some sort of idealist view of them and their courtroom excitement. Alas, I don't think it's the 12 Angry Men I make it out to be in my head. In one of the lawyer joke books people keep giving me it says something like "a jury consists of 12 people not smart enough to get out of jury duty." That can't be a good sign.
The actual decision-making on a jury can be interesting, especially when some of the other jurors are idiots. In my first murder trial, one woman just could NOT understand the difference between premeditation and acting on the spur of the moment. She hadn't a clue why it would have any impact on the decision we made. The worst past of the jury thing for me was looking at the physical evidence. Having to look at pictures of a murdered old man, holding the blood-soaked shirt he'd been wearing, touching the butcher knife that was used...that gave me nightmares.
But I do serve when called, even if I could probably get out of it. I just think it's the right thing to do. Besides, we need a few intelligent jurors, right? ;)
On those two trials you served on, did you find the accused guilty? It's a dirty little secret that prosecutors will weed out prospective jurors based on their history of convictions. If you served on a jury that found someone guilty, it means you are more likely to be called up again.
Actually, yes. They were both found guilty. But would they track my records from Chicago down to here? Can they do that? Should I be worried if they do? Hmmm...
I am totally jealous! I never get jury duty and have always wanted too. I was registerd in Illinois for some years, Iowa and now Arizona, still no doooooooty. My Mom has been called a couple times but never gets selected. My Dad gets called freakishly often but usually is disqualified because he often knows people connected - like you with your lawyer friend. Both my brothers have been called and Flea just ony turned 20! I think there is a conspiracy that those of us who might actually enjoy and look forward to jury duty will never be picked. Bastards!
Hmmm, too bad we can't trade places this month. I'm technically "on call" til February 1st. I have no idea why I get the call so much - I don't mind doing it, though these days, it could get pretty expensive if I end up having to close the spa to serve.
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Citizenship is something that gives us rights, but it has obligations too. Taxes, jury duty, voting, are the minimums. So whenever I hear that a woman is trying to get out of jury duty because she has a child, even though she works full time and could serve, I wonder about equality and the fight for women's rights being pointless because those kinds of women don't actually want to be full citizens. Women weren't allowed on juries until the 1960s in some states.
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My main concern is that it might force me to shut down my spa for a few days, if they do pick me for a a jury and I can't get anyone to cover my shifts. I could have listed that as a "hardship" on the official juror registration form, but like you, I take the whole citizenship thing very seriously. If doing my duty means less business for a while, so be it. The murder trials I was on were very sad and icky, but if I didn't do it, who would?
*hugs*
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That's exactly what I mean. Glad you could walk there though, so it was demonstrably good for you.
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But I do serve when called, even if I could probably get out of it. I just think it's the right thing to do. Besides, we need a few intelligent jurors, right? ;)
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I'm glad you had nice walks in the dark :)
Cat
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*huggles*
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