Jury Duty

I spent yesterday waiting around in a courtroom to see if I would be picked to serve on a jury. Definitely not anything like tv, because it was the MOST BORING DAY EVER.
We weren’t allowed to read when the judge was in the room, which was at least 65% of the day. The prosecuting attorney was really young and seemed to not always know what he was doing. The defense lawyer was kind of a condescending jerk, asking the exact same question over and over because he thought we might not have understood the first 10 times he asked (I actually overheard the lady behind me say, “Get on with it already,” which made me giggle). There were so many sidebar conversations between the judge and lawyers that I was tempted to start counting the lines in the ceiling to stay awake. Also, the chairs were really, really hard. My behind is not happy.

I did learn something, though: I am very naïve. I was a little surprised, and somewhat disturbed, by the sheer numbers of people who have been arrested, think drugs should be legalized, and/or are in general distrustful of police. The girl next to me was arrested for something so serious that she requested a sidebar with the judges and attorneys to explain her story. I kind of stayed away from her. Just to be safe.

Other things I learned: I am addicted to the Internet, which I really missed yesterday. I am a fan of the jury dress code (jeans allowed – yeah!). The location of the Civil Courts Building, in case I have need to return (hopefully not as a defendant). And I am way too much a product of the always-doing-something-must-constantly-be-entertained generation.

Anyway, after a full day of questions, in which I actually only answered one (my occupation), I was not selected to serve on the jury. Good thing, too. Otherwise, I would be breaking the law just by writing this blog. Also, I now officially get 2 years free before I can be called again. That makes my behind (and internet addiction) feel much, much better.