One Angry Man

Last week, I got called in to serve jury duty. As anyone who has been called in knows, the process between being called in and actually sitting on a jury is somewhat complicated, although very interesting. It turns out I have a lot to say on this, so I've split it into three sections below for your reading convenience. Click to read my blurb on each. About the process:First, you recieve a summons letter in the mail with a date, a juror number, and a phone number to call on the appointed date. When you call the number, you are told whether you are to report for duty or call back again in a couple of days (all based on your number). The first summons I received in the mail a couple years ago, I kept calling back and calling back and eventually they told me I was excused, without ever having to go in. This time, however, after a week of being told to call back, I got called in. When you get called in, the 30-40 or so of you mill around for a bit and sit awkwardly for a bit. Then you are given a juror number, randomly selected. The judge proceeds to ask a bunch of general questions to which you respond by raising your number (have you served on a jury before, do you know the defendant or lawyers, etc.) Then, each lawyer has a couple chances to ask questions both of the group as a whole and of individuals specifically. These questions dealt more with the nature of the case (in this case, fraud and identity theft). Essentially, they were trying to figure out who amongst us would be inclined to agree with their case*. Each lawyer is allowed to dismiss up to 6 potential jurors without giving a reason. After that is discussed with the judge, he reads off who is going to be a juror. The way it works is they start taking any person, starting from number 1 from the numbers we were randomly assigned, that hasn't been dismissed by either lawyer. About my experience:I had a vague understanding of how this process was to go, so I got relatively excited to be assigned number 13. I figured at least one of the people ahead of me would be dismissed so I was a shoe in. I know most people loathe jury duty but I was pretty excited to be part of the process. And I figure it is something everyone should do in their life, so I might as well get mine out of the way early. (My buddy Dave over at Publius Baltimore has a write-up of his jury experience here.) Well, I didn't get picked. For some reason, one of the lawyers opted to dismiss me without explanation. While I know this is their prerogative and an integral part of the process, my feelings were hurt. Essentially, they thought that I couldn't provide a fair and balanced decision. Whether it was because of my age, scruffy appearance, my answers to their questions, or because of the nature of my job and the possibility it relating to the crime, I don't know. I was tempted to track them down later to find out why so I would be better prepared next time around, but I figured that might border on obsession. So while the whole experience didn't leave me "angry" per se, I would say I left pretty bummed. Observations:The Skagit Covnty Covrt Hovse* has possibly the most ridiculous security process I've seen. There is a metal detector that beeped at EVERY SINGLE PERSON that went through while I was watching. I never get beeped at the airports but for some reason, it beeped me here. And the way it is all set up, it would be incredibly easy to just walk past it. In Skagit County, for the trouble of showing up for jury duty, you get compensated to the tune of $10 a day plus mileage. So on top of the learning experience I recieved, I can expect a check for a cool $25!

Sunday November 18 2007

File under: Anacortes, misc

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on Sun 18th Nov, 2007 01:25 pm PST Ryan Walters said: I walk past that metal detector all the time...but I have a special pass. They definitely make you show it, even when they recognize you. I wouldn't discount the possibility that most of the people it beeped were actually carrying something metal. You find a lot of pocket knives and lighters on the courthouse steps. ************************ on Mon 19th Nov, 2007 05:28 pm PST Nesbitt said: I find it amusing that you were miffed at not being called. I was miffed at being called...While I understand on one level, it is kind of interesting how we tolerate the use of what can only be classified as stereotypes in choosing juries, where we would not tolerate it anywhere else. ************************ on Mon 19th Nov, 2007 07:51 pm PST Saxtor said: I'm with Wren, I was pretty bummed when I didn't get called either. Definitely a good write-up, but I imagine it would have been all the more better if they actually let you into the exclusive Jury Club. ************************ on Wed 21st Nov, 2007 12:10 pm PST Sean said: Getting out of jury duty is easy. The trick is to say you're prejudiced against all races ************************ on Wed 21st Nov, 2007 12:23 pm PST amanda said: the day after reading your blog i received a summons! luckily i no longer reside in skagit county. ************************ on Wed 21st Nov, 2007 09:32 pm PST Wren said: I'll buy it from you. I aching to try my new approach. ************************ on Thu 27th Mar, 2008 08:57 am PDT JJ said: I had the same experience. I wasn't picked. I wore a pin striped suit, and all the "scruffy" people got picked. I related an experience I had giving "postive" testimony about someone I absolutely hated, in order to show that I could be "above personal feelings," (because, like you, I wanted to be on the jury), and I didn't get picked! ************************

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