Jury Duty

I had my first experience with Jury Duty yesterday. It was interesting.

Kevin ended up taking 2 of the kids, D & B, while I put Avery in the court sponsored daycare so she could be close to me. It was right across the street from the court so I could get her at lunch time. We sat in the park outside and enjoyed the nice weather and lunch together.

After waiting most of the morning, my number was called at 11:15. Those of us that were left in the room were being to feel that we were going to be let go, and then the jury phone ran again. My number was the 12th number called, so I was actually on the jury. Because it was so close to lunch, they let us go eat and told us to report back at 1:00. When it was time, we lined up and were taken into the court room.

It was a small court, it couldn't have held more than 20 spectators or so. There was the jury box, the prosecution table with one lawyer, and the defense table with 2 lawyers and a client. The judge was in his rightful place at the head of the room.

We found out about what was being asked of us and we asked if we felt that we could perform these duties. Most of us could. 1 gentleman didn't speak english and he was released. Then we were told about the case. The accused was being charged with child abuse, disorderly conduct, and something else. Oh man, child abuse? really? Luckily I could not see the defendent from where I was sitting. I didn't want to.

The lawyer for the procecution went on to interview us. She asked us all questions about what was child abuse and what was discipline. Then about where the line was crossed, did choking, slapping on the face or throwing a child to the floor count as child abuse? How about your temper? Have you ever gotten angry at your child? How did you handle it? And on and on.

Then the defense has their turn. The lawyer asked us if any of us were related to a cop. Did any of us believe that children lie? A few more personal things to individual people regarding their jobs, and then he explained that the procecution was going to introduce evidence from a prior trial. How did we feel about that? I aparently nodded or something, because the lawyer clued in on me. How do you feel about that? I said that I thought it could show a pattern of abuse, especially if they had been seperated and were on a visitation or something of the sort.

The questions continued and then the lawyers were to choose 6 of the 12 jury to stay on for the trial. Each side immediatly struck down 2 people, then each side was able to knock off one more. I was the last one to be excused.

Thank goodness. I did not want to hear any testimony about what had happened! I know that I could have helped a child (the child was 13), but I have faith that the evidence would speak for itself. I hope the right thing was done.

I am just glad that I got to see part of it. Being on a jury is kinda cool.