In the past where I used to live, I remember reporting to the court house and sitting with a large group of people in a large room for half of the day. A smaller group of people were picked and went somewhere but at that time I didn’t know. This time around where I live now, I was actually one of a group of thirty picked for the second step. So, even though we all reported at the court house at 8:30 am, I only had to sit in that room until 10 am.
A court deputy who works with the judge instructed us to go up to the fourth floor. When we got up there we waited for more instruction. The deputy then asked us to line up in two lines, one through fifteen and then sixteen to thirty. I was number twenty-four. We again waited another five minutes until he guided us into the court room. I’ve never been in a court room that I can remember and this one was nice. There were windows behind the jury box that overlooked a pretty landscape. From what I could tell from my seat across the room anyways. There was a lot of wood like the judges bench and the pews that we sat in, and very nice lights hanging above us. I only wish I could have taken pictures for my memories but couldn’t.
But anyway, the thirty of us sat were court visitors would sit and in front of us was the judge, the two lawyers, and the defendant. I was very surprised by the fact that the defendant was there. Also in front of the judge were two court clerks and two officers. The bailiff was also standing off to the side. Now, the first thing that the judge said was thank you to us for being there. He understood that many of us are busy with work and other things in life and would rather be doing that then sitting in a court room. He pointed out that the courts in America have been doing jury selection from their citizens for a couple of centuries now. Other counties don’t do this like America does.
Now, I know the judge didn’t say this but I felt like it was implied, the fact that we should feel proud to be picked for serving on a jury. The judge also asked if there were any veterans in the room. A few raised their hands so he inquired as to when and where they served. He then thanked them for their service to our country. The judge then went over some other laws and things to expect if we are picked to be a juror. I at this point was getting tired from sitting around all morning. Sort of like sitting still and listening to a boring lecture at school. But, something else that surprised me was that he read off all the charges that this defendant was accused of. I thought that only the jurors who are picked would hear those charges.
After he read the charges and talked about other law stuff, the judge then decided that he wanted to get to know each one of us. Now I understand that this is how the process works when it comes to picking the right jury for the trial but being put on the spot is not something I feel comfortable with. He explained to us the questions that he was going to ask each of us and then the lawyers would have a chance to do the same. Thankfully he decided to do all this after our lunch period. We were given an hour and fifteen minutes to go out and get something to eat.
I took advantage of the hour and had a burger and a drink from Culver’s down the street. We were instructed though before we left to not talk to anyone about the case, which is understandable. I did check in with my sister though and told her how my day was going. I told her that I hope that I’m not picked for the jury but if I was it would be an experience to log in my memories.
Just before one o’clock I went back into the court house. Of course I had to go through the security check again and then was instructed to go into the room I was first in. The deputy said that we were going to wait for everyone to come back before going back upstairs. It wasn’t long though before 1:15 came and the deputy walked back in. He counted everyone and found that we were all there now, so, into the elevator we went.
When we got upstairs and formed our lines the deputy check in with the officer in the court room. I guess the judge had a short matter to tend to while we were on lunch because two other men walked out of the court room. I guess a judge’s work is never done. Then, after about five minutes we made our way back into the court room. The judge started with the gentleman in the front row on my side and asked his full name. The judge also asked his occupation, marital status and if he had any children. The judge also wanted to know the spouse’s occupation and the occupation of any grown children. The final question was the gentleman’s hobbies and interests.
Now, even though I had time to think about my answer for my hobbies and interests, it’s funny how one will answer when put on the spot. When the judge got to me I was very nervous. Am I going to speak loud enough was one of my thoughts. But I guess I did because he didn’t ask me to repeat myself. So, what did I respond to my hobbies and interests? Well, I write, make jewelry, and spend time with family. After hearing a lot of others interesting and active hobbies, mine must have sounded pretty boring. But sometimes boring for some might be relaxing for others.
After the judge finished with the personal interviews, the state attorney asked us questions. Some as a group but others were personal towards specific people. The questions she asked made sense because she wanted to know if we were able to come to a verdict based on evidence alone. Just like the judge, she wanted to make sure that we wouldn’t have a problem making a fair decision even if we knew a police officer, have had a crime done to us, knew that weapons were involved, plus many other things. She made up a couple of silly scenarios to see what we would rule as a group but again, it made sense.
Now, when she was done questioning us it was time for the defense attorney to ask us questions. I was not taking sides at all because I didn’t know any of these people but I couldn’t help but laugh inside the way this defense attorney went about his questioning. I literally felt like I was watching a crime show on television and listening to an attorney who had no idea what he was going to do for his defendant. He started out by picking on the way the state attorney used a scenario to get a point across. Something he said even made to state attorney turn to the judge and say I object, argumentative. The judge said sustained and the defense attorney moved on. I literally thought I was watching another episode of Perry Mason, lol.
Then the defense attorney pointed out that everyone makes mistakes, even law enforcement and attorneys. Which is true and when the real facts, witness testimonies and evidence is presented is when the real jurors can later come to a verdict. Until then I got the feeling that he knew his client was guilty but needed to make it look good for himself. So, after that attorneys five minutes of useless babble, the judge told us that he and the attorneys will now discuss who they want as jury members. We were excused into the hall for about fifteen minutes.
By this time it was three o’clock in the afternoon. Many of the group, I believe, were relieved that this day was almost over because there was more conversation going on. Whereas earlier our group had been very quiet. For me, I took the photo above while looking out one of the windows from the hall on the fourth floor. It was a somewhat cool and overcast day as you can see.
When the court deputy called us back into the court room we were able to just go right in and sit down. The judge proceeded to tell us that the names that he reads off will enter the jury box as jurors. I know that I was quietly wishing that I wouldn’t hear my name as he called them. What I noticed was that like on TV where they use twelve jurors, this time that didn’t seem to be the case. I believe they only called seven or eight names for this one. Maybe it depends on the type of case that is being held. But anyways, as I felt relieved that I didn’t hear my name, I also heard the sigh of relief from many others as the judge then thanked us and excused us.
What some might have thought of the day as being a waste of time, I have to say that it was interesting. Yes, I might have gotten tired and somewhat bored briefly but it was interesting. I may get summoned again or may not, one never knows. But if I do, I will think of it as a learning experience. After all, we always grow a little more when we learn something new. Tell me, have you ever been on a jury before? If so, what did you think of it?
I have been on a jury. It surprises me all of the stuff you were asked. We didn't get that extreme. And we were never asked our full names or even our first names. They talked to us by using the juror number we were issued. I did write all this down, so I might have to write a story about it on my Substack.
I was not on a jury.