I am officially done with jury duty. When Wonder Boy handed me my jury summons, he expected me to be upset. Instead, I did a little dance. I feel like jury duty is my destiny. I have spent hours and hours preparing for this … hours and hours sitting on my couch watching Law and Order, prepping for this very moment.
During these past two week, the City of Cincinnati did not put my years of studying to work. Instead I sat in a room with lots of other people on benches of chairs. To be fair, I think I’ve been preparing for that, too.
Annual overseas trips that include long layovers in airports have taught me that sitting around can be just fine if you are properly prepared. I read. I caught up on work email. I brought granola bars and fruit strips to keep me away from vending machines. I had my ever-present water bottle filled and next to me. You want me to sit around all day? No problem.
From conversations with friends and from observing my fellow jurors, I have gathered that most people don’t like jury duty. Most people think I am strange for wanting to sit in on a case. Being judged by a jury of our peers is such an integral part of our legal system. In a political environment where people seem paranoid of any one person or group having too much power, I would think people would view being on a jury as an honor. This is our opportunity, my opportunity, to make sure that law is enforced as it has always been intended to be enforced. A chance to make sure no one person holds too much power over the accused.
If I ever find myself standing in a courthouse, accused of a crime, I hope to have my case argued to a jury of my peers rather than to one judge. It is what our forefathers intended for our country. It is what we all stand to benefit from. It is what is our duty to help continue.
