JURY DUTY: Want To Get Out of It?

I recently spent my day in Jury duty. 

I remember the first time I was called for jury duty.  I was living in El Paso Texas, just graduated from High School and recently turned 18.  To me this was a sign that I was actually on the road to adulthood.   But when I showed up at the courthouse and gave the worker my form, she looked at my birth date, laughed and said “You just turned 18.”  After laughing and sharing my form with someone else, she sent me away.   I was released from duty.

I remember turning to look at her as I joined my mother down the hall.  “I will be back.” I thought offended that she felt I was unqualified to serve due to my age- an age that they set.

ANOTHER CHANCE

It would be many years later, after relocating to Houston, before I would be called again.  I was sooo excited!  I dressed the part, I worked around the fear of driving downtown, filled in my form early and did everything else that was required on my summons. 

Immediately people began telling me how to get out of it.  They pointed out everything that would allow me to skip it.  I heard everything from postponing it to faking sickness.  Some gave insider tips on how NOT to be chosen if you ever get interviewed. 

Everyone I spoke to had the same issues.  They hated being called to serve, they hated being paid $6 for serving, paying $6 for parking, and being asked if they wanted to donate their $6 to a cause.

They hated the inconvenience of leaving their jobs and possibly not getting paid, looking for parking, sitting in a room with strangers ,  being herded through tunnels on foot to courthouses and loaded like cattle on service elevators,  just to be given a pass to leave after hours of being there. God forbid, they get chosen to be interviewed!  Answering questions to avoid being chosen was a thin line dance!  One side might WANT you because of the answer the other side may not.

MY DAY IN COURT

After hearing all of that, I was confused, but still on target.  SOMEONE was going to choose me for this jury!  I was intentional in answering the attorney's questions.  Good sense, balance.  Someone was going to want ME on the jury. After going through the entire process- I was chosen!  I was so proud of myself!  .....Then reality set in, I had to come back. Another day off work, another day or more sitting in rooms with strangers (who by now we were bonding with due to circumstances)    

But hey, this is what I wanted.  Well long story short,  I listened with an open mind to all arguments, when it came time to decide on a verdict, I didn’t understand why everyone was sitting like they didn’t know what to do, so I spoke up.  I gave my thoughts on the case based on both arguments and others chimed in.  When we were done, we were all in unison and gave the judge our results.  It felt good to know that my simple opinion was important to someone I may never meet again. I remember leaving that courtroom and driving home. It felt good to know that my little voice made a difference TODAY.   Not in a 4 year term that I cannot control, but what we decided that day made a difference 'TODAY'.  I still remember the facts of that case and know why we voted the way we did.  All of us, different people, different walks of life, we came together that day for a common goal.

 QUALIFICATIONS TO SERVE

One thing that was different about this last service, it was the first time I paid close attention to the requirements. 

• Is at least 18 years of age;
• Is a citizen of the United States;
• Is a resident of this state and of the county in which the person is to serve as a juror;
• Is qualified under the constitution and laws to vote in the county in which the person is to serve as a juror;
• Is of sound mind and good moral character;
• Is able to read and write;
• Has not served as a petit juror for six days during the preceding three months in the county court or during the preceding six months in the district court;
• Has not been convicted of misdemeanor theft or a felony; and
Is not under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony.

After reading these requirements it dawned on me, in that jury selection room,  I was surrounded by good, basic law abiding citizens!  From every walk of life, every nationality, every gender.  These people were basically much like me, they may not have the same beliefs I do in all things, but we were not running from the law, had not been imprisoned or in the process of being imprisoned.  We might drive a little faster than posted limits, some may not eat right all of the time, but we are the people that shape America.  Regardless to our political affiliations, we are voters and decision makers for this nation. 

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

When thinking about this in light of all who try to avoid serving, your voice is as important in the courtroom as it is at the voters booth.  How many times have you heard a verdict that you felt was biased or just plain wrong?  Maybe you have a good perspective on life and you voice that through social media, to your friends and family, or even people you are called to mentor.  Your voice is needed in more than one arena.  Someone’s justice or someone’s life may depend on a simple voice in a room that bring an honest perspective, and is willing to receive one as well.    

 

TRUE SACRIFICE:

In the video they showed us, they thanked us for our ‘sacrifice’.  The news affiliates nationwide have  been talking about what true sacrifice really is in light of the recent Political Conventions.  So naturally that word stood out to me and again, I was thinking. 

SACRIFICE... it is not really a sacrifice if I do something that benefits me or those connected directly to me.  It is only a sacrifice if what I do is at my expense and benefits others I may not know.  So yes, Jury duty is a sacrifice.  It does not benefit us at all, it pulls from our day, from our finances and benefits someone we don’t know who may or may not even appreciate our service.  

Jesus’ sacrifice benefited everyone, those who hated Him, those who killed Him, those who today reject Him.  For us, a sacrifice is seen the same way.  It can be a thankless service but it brings good to those who benefit from it.

YOU ARE SUMMONED

So next time you get that envelope in the mail, understand that it says something about YOU.  It says for the most part you are a good person.  It says that you are a citizen of this great nation that has been called to use your voice to assist someone else during a difficulty or during a disciplinary time in their life.  You have been given a chance to vote on a much smaller scale to bring justice and right a few wrongs.  It is a privilege and a sacrifice, but you are qualified to help.

If ever I am in a crunch and need someone to serve on a jury for me; since the people who know me do not qualify, I pray that if you are a thinking, loving, basic law abiding citizen who has a grasp on the real world… I pray you don’t try to get out of it.  I would hope that the best this city has to offer will be there willing and happy to hear my cause and think it through without looking at their watch.  I pray for you as you stand to serve this great country on a smaller yet so important level. 

I thank you for your sacrifice!