When the Smoke Clears

Today was a day for civic responsibility. I pulled Jury Duty. Yes, it was an unpleasant experience to a degree, an entire day, possibly a week of time taken away to work in a job with which one is not familiar.

And from the fellow potential jurors I heard all the typical “such a waste of time” “this isn’t like Law & Order, they need to make it more interesting.” Yes, you’re all so original. Suck it up and drive on, wusses.

I answered all the questions presented honestly, but I guess I wasn’t good enough. I actually would not have minded the inconvenience of sitting for a jury trial because I do feel it is a duty and a privilege to live in a country where I can participate in such a thing. Or can I?

Let’s see, what might I have had going for/against me?

* Was a reporter covering crime in Miami and Denver
* Am a licensed medical professional (they asked, apparently there were some issues to be brought up) having worked at a children’s hospital for 5 years.
* Had a year of law classes (undergrad journalism)
* Stated I agreed most drugs should be legalized but that is a legislative act, not something I can bend the law for while on a jury.
* Have been an expert witness for the prosecution in a drug case, though not with regards to the crime itself.

The crime in question today? Someone accused of possessing and attempting to sell meth-amphetamines next to an elementary school’s property. I don’t know any more details than that.

Yeah, from the defense side I probably would have gotten rid of me, too, unless I was certain I had a good case. But if I did, the DA would never have gone to trial anyway. I was also told I wouldn’t be needed for any other cases this week. Oh well. I tried.

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