The Rural Juror

Or in my case, the City of Madison, Dane County Juror.

Sorry that I have been MIA folks, but it has actually been somewhat busy for me here at work. It didn't help that I missed half of Monday because I needed to report downtown for jury duty. While there was a lot of waiting around, the whole process was quite interesting.

We all had to check in and we were given a juror badge, a little card to fill out and a ticket for a free coffee, soda or water from the cafe. We then had to go sit in this big room and fill out our card. Approximately 45 minutes later, two county clerks came in and gave their speals about how this is a very important duty, they gave some information about parking and what to do about work, etc. Then we had to watch a video about the courtroom and jury process. We then had a break for 20 minutes which I used to go out to the parking ramp to plug my meter until noon (about $5 or so) because we are responsible for parking until noon since after that you are generally selected for a jury or have left because you weren't picked.

Which one was I, you ask? Well, I would love to tell you. After we came back in by 9:15am after the break, we sat for approximately another 20 minutes or so and the clerk came in with a bailiff to take the first jury panel to the judge. I was not in this panel. Approximately 20 minutes to a half hour after that, the clerk came in again and called off the pool numbers for the next group, of which I was a part of. We were taken to the judge's courtroom and filed in. We all sat in the pew-type seats behind the bar. The judge gave us some information regarding the case and told us approximately how long the trial would last. It was going to start that afternoon and go until sometime on Wednesday, he said, but the end really is up to how long it would take us to deliberate and come back with a verdict. 22 of us were called up into the jury box, of which I was a part of as well, number 5, in fact. One person stated she had a funeral on Wednesday, the judge dismissed her but she had to go back down to the Jury Assembly room and check in as she might be asked to serve on another jury. She was replaced with another person from the panel of people still sitting behind the bar. Another man stated that his father-in-law was hospitalized and he is the oldest son-in-law and therefore is the contact person. The judge dismissed this man and he was also replaced with another member of the jury panel.

The judge then asked multiple questions to which a few responded. One or two more people were dismissed and replaced. Then the attorneys were allowed to ask questions. Now this was a case where there was a petitioner and a respondent and it was a closed session to keep confidential the identities of the people involved. So council for the petitioner asked us various questions and then on to the responder's attorney. No one else responded so no one else was dismissed. The attorneys had was is called peremtory challenge which means they can just cross you off the list and dismiss you as part of this jury without any reason. So, they passed the list back and forth until they had whittled us 22 down for 14. The judge called the names of the jury members and asked them to stand. These were the people chosen for this trial. I was left sitting. So, the rest of us were dismissed and we went back to report in and we were told we were done for the week.

Bummer! At first was not happy to be doing anything related to this on Monday morning but as things kept unfolding I realized how interested I was. I have not yet mentioned in any of my posts but I am a HUGE Law & Order fan. I have been watching that show since I was about 10 years old. I love it so much my wallpaper on my phone is Sam Watterston (former ADA but the current DA Jack McCoy) and my screen saver on said phone is Jerry Orbach (former Detective Lenny Briscoe). So, I was sort of a part of my own little Law & Order and the whole process of being selected as a jury member and then participating as part of that jury just really took me. Also, I was kind of perturbed that I was dismissed from the jury because I didn't open my mouth once. I have to call this Thursday to find out if I am part of the pool who needs to report next week. Here's hoping I get picked next week. Keep your fingers crossed for me.