Jury Duty – Why oh Why?!
January 14th, 2010 | 
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I received a jury summons in early December to appear today. After being directed to a small room, and sitting there for an hour, the judge informed us that today's jury trial request had been recalled. We were released to continue with our daily activities, such as going to work, or going home, or whatever the case may be.
To be honest with you, I was not disappointed. I do not believe this morning was a waste. I was not disappointed because I got the opportunity to fully participate in one of our most fundamental rights. The right to a trial by a jury of our peers. Where else in this world can any citizen make a request that their arguments for defense against accusation be heard, and judged, by a panel comprised of persons from within their own community? And subsequently, receive a fair and impartial decision by those peers?
This Country, this Constitution, is based on rights we believe are an integral part of each and every one of us. I heard sixteen people, out of forty two in the room, during the time we were waiting, how inconvenienced they had been having to appear this morning. Everything from having to take off work, to adjusting child care schedules, to simply being annoyed with the interference of their daily routine, was voiced. I am sitting by the coffee pot (after all, it was early) thinking that these people just don't get it. Worse yet, that they forgot it!
Do these people actually believe that they can sit on their backsides and have every right we, and our parents, and their parents, and so on, that worked so hard for, and sacrificed so much for, magically function for and apply to them? Do they really believe that they will never lose these rights? That they, as an individual citizen of this great Country, need not make any effort to support the rights they enjoy?
Do these people even realize why we are here today? A person is accused of some civil or criminal offense. It is the RIGHT of that person, just as it is with any one sitting in this room, if accused, to demand a trial by jury. The judge cannot refuse. Why? The accused, whether it be you, me, or our neighbor, has this right. But. It will only work if we, as citizens participate and support this right. What would happen to this right if nobody showed up? What if you were sitting in a court of law, accused of some crime, and no one showed up to hear you?
Why, oh why, do we not stress to our children, and again to every adult, the importance of participation in supporting our rights?
Did you know
Did you know that you also have the right to walk into any court room, in any state, city, or county, as long as the court is not a closed court, to watch and listen to the proceedings? Did you know that you do not have to ask permission of anyone? You have the right to view any open court proceedings anywhere in this country. Do you realize how important that right is? How do you think we, as citizens, can protect our right from abuses? Try it some time. Walk in to your local court house and sit in on any court proceeding.
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