I had jury duty today. It was my first time. I had been summoned twice before, but I had class both times, so I was exempt. This time I had no excuse, and I was actually pretty excited about going. I've always wanted to have jury duty, and here was my chance! I brought a book with me, and after two hours of sitting with about 400 other people in a huge room, they called my number. Then I went upstairs to sit outside the criminal court room and wait around for another hour.
While I was sitting, a man who had been convicted of murder and served 26 years in prison was exonerated on the basis of DNA evidence. This event happened in the courtroom next door to the one I was assigned, and there were news crews and a huge round of applause when the verdict came through. It really got me thinking about how serving on a jury is a really important thing. I mean, the jury that convicted that guy originally had to feel that he was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, right? And yet he was innocent. One of the guys in my jury group told some story about how he served on a DUI case where the guy was so obviously guilty that he felt like the trial was a waste of time. I replied that it's every American citizen's right have a fair trial, guilty or no, and it's their right to be judged by a jury of their peers. And you know what? I will so go spend three hours sitting around a courthouse reading a book to ensure that every citizen receives that right, guilty or no.
My case was dismissed, by the way. I never even got interviewed, and I was home by noon. I was a little disappointed. I wonder when they'll send me my $6?
