JURY DUTY II: My So-Called Day In Court

Cocaine Princess here.

As you know a few weeks ago I wrote in my blog about receiving a summons to appear for jury duty. If you remember I wasn't too thrilled and was trying to figure ways to get out of it. Many who read my blog (and I'm thankful for them all!) are those in the law profession.
Boy do you guys enjoy giving me written lectures. So many of you, and you know who you are sent emails lecturing me on how wrong it is not to appear for jury duty and how it is my 'civic duty,' 'I have a moral obligation,' 'you cannot ignore a summons,' to even 'HOW DARE I TRY TO GET OUT OF IT! The lawyer who sent that email wrote it exactly how I typed it, in capital letters with an exclamation mark! I guess some of you thought I would ignore the summons. The thought did cross my mind but I didn't. There is a small percentage of you who are just so incredibly kind and sweet and give me such good advice. And I'm sure I don't have to tell you who you are. Anyways I hope all of you are happy and smiling because I did my civic duty and appeared in court last week. Here's how it all went down.

I left in the morning and I'm standing in my driveway when suddenly a frisbee hits me in the back of my head. The nanny who looks after my neighbors children was playing frisbee with one of them and of course the hideous creature with four legs was near by. The nanny came running over to me asking if I was okay. I was. I got a good close up look of the hideous creature- yikes is all I can say!

The outside of the courthouse was completely insane with security. To get into the parking lot cars and ids were being checked and the police were asking the reason for you being in court so I showed them my summons. It took nearly twenty minutes to find a parking space because over half the parking lot had been taken over by reporters and their camera crews. (Canadian courts don't permit cameras in the courtroom) The reason for the media blitz, a big case was occurring inside. I have posted the article at the end if anyone is interested. Inside was just as bad as outside. Handbags are searched, pockets are emptied and everyone must go through the metal detector. When I went through the metal detector it started beeping. The police officer asked that I open up my coat and spread my arms and when I did he began to wave the wand-thingy on me. (forgive me if I can't remember what it's called but it's late and I'm tired) There was no beep and I was told by him to go through the metal detector again. So I did and I start beeping again. He checked me a second time and again there's no beep. He said it was fine and it wasn't necessary that I go through the metal detector a third time. A court officer saw my summons notice in my hands and took me into this room where 10 people were already waiting. She waited for a few more people and then took us up three flight of stairs and piled us into a room where 50 other potential jurors were. We were told it could take anywhere between 3-4 hours. 'A' had asked me a few days ago if I wanted her to come along. I told her no but I wish I hadn't. I was so bored but at least I came prepared. A day earlier I bought a bunch of magazines, I had my Mp3 player, some snacks and drinks so I was keeping busy. A little while later the court clerk came in and began checking off people's names, only three people didn't show up. Next he put all our names in a box. The crown and defense came in wearing the traditional black cloaks with a white frilly ruffle that hangs down the front of their necks. Underneath is their business attire. Wearing the cloak with frills is a definite fashion don't but it's required for lawyers in Canada. Minutes later the judge appeared and we were all instructed to rise. After he comfortably settled down on his throne (it took him forever) we sat back down. He first welcomed and thanked us all for coming and then began explaining the duties of a juror. He didn't tell us the details of the case, only that it would last anywhere between 2-3 weeks and if selected we wouldn't be able to go home since all the jurors would be sequestered in a hotel. When I heard that part I just kept thinking what hotels were in the area? No 5-star hotels that's for sure. Only the Marriott-Courtyard, the Comfort and Quality Inn and Motel 7. Next the judge asked if there were any potential jurors who couldn't serve on the jury. One man raised his hand and the judge instructed him to come forward and state his reason. His reason, in two days he was going on vacation with his family to Santo Domingo. He made his travel plans four months ago and provided the judge with his plane tickets and his travel itinerary. The judge didn't say a word, he only made a gesture with his thumb for him to scram. The man was so happy he practically danced out the room. Another potential juror raised her hand. She approached the judge and stated her reason as to why she wouldn't be able to fulfill her duties as a juror. She was an elderly woman and her reason for not wanting to serve, she had a bingo tournament next week. Unfortunately for her the judge didn't give her the scram sign. But another woman was able to get dismissed on account of her giving birth two months ago and was nursing her newborn. No one else seemed to have a problem so the clerk began to draw the names, 20 names were called, none of them being mine. Those twenty stayed inside and the rest of us waited in another room. At about 2pm the clerk came back out and informed us the jurors had been picked and so we were all free to go home. I would be lying if I said I was disappointed I wasn't picked. But those of us who weren't chosen aren't exactly off the hook. Our names are still on the panel and will remain active for two months so there's still a chance I may get called back.

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess