friday i had the privelage of serving jury duty! i know that some people dread being called to serve as a juror. some will come up with any excuse to get out of the drudgery. many who make it to the big day are annoyed at the "inconvenience" and show this with hostile body language. i on the other hand, though it is never overly convenient to fit this into your life, was looking forward to the opportunity. i carefully read all the instructions, even the repeat ones in the handy jurors handbook! i know this shocks some of you as you know i normally fly by the seat of my pants. but this is one way that i am able to go with the flow. i read everything that i can about a subject that interests me or involves me and then i can relax and pretend i know everything!...
did you know that in massachusetts you will serve approximately once every three years! that of course does not mean that you will get to become a juror. on friday i got up bright and early (i know, another surprise!), i arrived at the hall of justice in springfield, massachusetts (the murder capital of all massachusetts in case you didn't know) at exactly 8:00 am. once there i hunkered in for a long morning of waiting! a judge came to talk to us, she said that even if we don't get picked we are serving an important part in the legal process just by being there. she further explained that many people don't realize that they can settle a case until the stress of the moment that they are going to bring in the jurors arrives, this prompts them to settle with out the battle. good, however on my particular friday that meant over 100 people sitting around for 4 1/2 hours, doing nothing, all to just get sent home without doing anything! yep, that is the brilliance of the whole legal system in action. instead of hundreds of people being able to work everyday, helping the local economy, they get paid (by their employer) for work that doesn't get done. that means massachusetts is also getting free 'labor' from the population of the willing. they charge us taxes, depend on volunteer labor and rack up large financial burdens for those who don't benefit all so that cases can be settled out of court. sorry about the rant, i didn't mean to go there. it probably didn't even make much sense.
i was rather disappointed that my day went this way. i wanted to be a part of it all. i wanted to stick it to some poor fellow who was the scum of all the earth. i had big dreams of being liek jimmy stewart in "twelve angry men" and teaching everyone that you have to think for yourselves and not just assume the person is guilty. aw, the dreams of the idle... i guess maybe next time.
did you know that in massachusetts you will serve approximately once every three years! that of course does not mean that you will get to become a juror. on friday i got up bright and early (i know, another surprise!), i arrived at the hall of justice in springfield, massachusetts (the murder capital of all massachusetts in case you didn't know) at exactly 8:00 am. once there i hunkered in for a long morning of waiting! a judge came to talk to us, she said that even if we don't get picked we are serving an important part in the legal process just by being there. she further explained that many people don't realize that they can settle a case until the stress of the moment that they are going to bring in the jurors arrives, this prompts them to settle with out the battle. good, however on my particular friday that meant over 100 people sitting around for 4 1/2 hours, doing nothing, all to just get sent home without doing anything! yep, that is the brilliance of the whole legal system in action. instead of hundreds of people being able to work everyday, helping the local economy, they get paid (by their employer) for work that doesn't get done. that means massachusetts is also getting free 'labor' from the population of the willing. they charge us taxes, depend on volunteer labor and rack up large financial burdens for those who don't benefit all so that cases can be settled out of court. sorry about the rant, i didn't mean to go there. it probably didn't even make much sense.
i was rather disappointed that my day went this way. i wanted to be a part of it all. i wanted to stick it to some poor fellow who was the scum of all the earth. i had big dreams of being liek jimmy stewart in "twelve angry men" and teaching everyone that you have to think for yourselves and not just assume the person is guilty. aw, the dreams of the idle... i guess maybe next time.
4 comments:
I have jury duty in May. I'm actually looking forward to a day off where I can just sit and read...or maybe I'll cross-stitch! Whatever I do, it won't be changing diapers or going to work, so I'm excited.
Good for you! I am proud of you.
I have never served jury duty yet. I've also nver given blood. But I don't think the two are related.
I had jury duty once in Ky. It was about the same for me. Never saw the inside of the court. We were to be available for 3 month at a time. Got called a couple of times, but never amounted to anything. It is disappointing that the legal system is so screwy. But, at least you were willing to be there and realized the importance of it.
8 am in Springfield ? :)
I am SO impressed with your motivation and dedication...
I always politely decline jury duty due to the children in my care but I may have to rethink it.. :)
Post a Comment