...For Jury Duty!
I showed up with several books, bottles of water and a PB&J sandwich tucked away in my bag. I felt like Allison in the Breakfast Club, "You never know when you have to jam..."
After making it past the security screening like a moron, (insert embarrassing purse search nightmare here later), I settled into Boredom room 220 with Everything Bad Is Good For You. I only got to read for 15 minutes.
We watched an introduction to jury duty video which included the stereotypical dumbing down, and then we were welcomed and thanked for our service.
With pumped up egos, we were walked into the court room, single file, ducks in a row. I was #8 with a welcomed back row, aisle seat. One by one we had to stand and introduce ourselves into a microphone with terrible feedback. For a random selection of the community, I couldn't help but notice, we were all white and over the age of 35. Guess its true we need more minorities and youth to vote.
The case involved a prisoner suing a prison guard, the prison nurse and the prison doctor. He attempted suicide with self inflicted wounds and apparently he didn't feel the prison staff did their job in caring for him. The cherry on top- the convict was representing himself.
I was actually really looking forward to hearing this case. I'm open minded. I knew the guard, nurse and doctor were innocent until proven guilty. I really wanted to hear how a convicted felon would prove to me, beyond a shadow of a doubt, he was neglected by the prison staff.
The judge promised this case would only take 1 or 2 days tops. I really wanted in. I think I was dismissed when I revealed I was a homeschooling mom and one of my hobbies was blogging. Dismissed with me were nurses or those who knew health care professionals, and a retired army man who said prisoners deserve to be punished. (Mr. Retired Army Man was also upset the security guards took away his pocket knife.) Kept on the jury was a man who's brother attempted suicide and a man who's brother was currently incarcerated. Interesting isn't it?
I still might be called to serve on a different case throughout the month of April. I feel better knowing this federal district court has a reputation for quick, speedy trials, usually not longer than a few days.
After having gone through the morning's uncertainly, I now feel safe to share, I had an irrational fear about setting foot into the federal courthouse building. Its April. Its a federal building. 15 years ago, I lost a co-worker and friend when McVeigh bombed the Murrah building in Oklahoma City.
I had that shadow on my mind and even going through tightened security to get into the building, I still felt vulnerable. Thankfully, the clerk in charge of welcoming us and answering our questions addressed my fears without me having to say a word.
She brought the subject up and assured us the building was surrounded with cameras. I realized that wouldn't really save us, but just knowing someone else was recognizing the anniversary of this tragic event helped.
I thought of my friend and how I can still remember her sweet, friendly southern drawl. She was taken from an 8 year old boy and husband who loved her. I'm grateful justice was served, but nothing could take away the pain and loss, felt by so many. Victoria would want me to do my civic duty, and I'm glad I did.
14 comments:
Do you/did you then live in Oklahoma, Dawn? If so, did I know that? Hmmm, trying to remember. I live in Oklahoma. I'm so sorry that you lost a friend that horrible day and while I was fortunate not to have known anyone that was killed that day, I do think of it often. :(
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend and co-worker on that awful day. I'm sure today was not easy for you but you got through it. Sorry you weren't picked for that case, sounds like it would have been an interesting one.
No. I've never lived in Oklahoma. Someday I hope to visit the memorial and see her chair. If you visit the site, her name was Victoria Texter. She was always so friendly whenever we had to work together over the phone. She always had a smile in her voice and asked how I was doing. She was someone that inspired me on a professional and personal level.
I wouldn't mind living in Oklahoma. I know several unschoolers who do, and they seem to have a really cool unschooling support group that does all kinds of fun stuff!
I will remember that name and visit her chair :) We don't get to OKC very often at all although we live pretty close. I have actually never been to the memorial. I have always wanted to though. I really think the kids and I will be going soon.
I personally think Oklahoma is a great state to homeschool in.
Such a sweet tribute to your friend!
I'm scared of our local federal building for a different reason....it has a revolving door. Those things scare me dreadfully! LOL Revolving doors, elevators and esclators....SCARY. ; )
I have often thought about jury duty, but haven't been called yet. I honestly don't know how I could do it with Alex. We don't have sitters for her that are out of school. hmmmmm
It does sound it would have been an interesting case to hear.
I'm sorry about the loss of your friend. :o(
I think it would be neat to serve too.. but doubt now i would as well.
Understandable hesitation, Dawn. Sorry for your loss, but pleased that you shared and we can also remember her. Glad you didn't have to stay. I loath jury duty.
I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Glad you were dismissed.
Me too! There was a revolving door but thankfully, next to it, a regular one. I had to take the elevator though because the stairs were considered emergency exits and an alarm would sound.
I hate escalators too! I can't look down and focus on the different steps. They all blend together and I have no depth perception looking down. I always end up stepping on the crack and then when the stair separates, down I go.
When I was a little girl, my parents would have to carry me onto escalators and into elevators crying. If we couldn't find a regular stairway, they couldn't win.
Pray you don't get called then for Federal jury duty. I was able to get out at the state level, but at the Federal level, "no excuses will be considered." My district has a repetition though for high turn out on jury summons and quick trials. My friend was called for Federal Jury Duty as a nursing mother and still had to serve. She had to use the breaks to pump her milk.
I can understand why they want all kinds of different people to serve. If you were a defendant, would you want a jury made up of only retired people, or would you want other stay at home mothers such as yourself? It is important to get a mix of people.
I do appreciate how Federal doesn't call you in just to have you sit all day waiting. They only call you in if you are going to be considered that day for a trial.
When we went into the local federal building once we went in through the revolving door, but I found a regular door to get back outside. I'm not entirely sure it wouldn't have reduced me to tears to have to go back through it. ; )
A couple weeks ago my DH had a doctor appointment, and the office had an escalator and he hopped on and went down and left me standing at the top. He had to come back up for me.
How nutty that the stairs were emergency only! That's stinky.
I am glad you made it through your day and sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. If I ever had to go through security check I would be there for hours if they wanted to look in my purse, LOL. I seriously need to buy a new one and clean mine out.
I would have to search hard for child care though I m sure I could get it... 99% if the time my kids are with me. My church would help... That is horrible about the nursing mom. pumping and nursing are NOT the same!
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