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Hey y'all! Well, I showed up at the Bossier Parish Coathouse (along with a couple hundred other fine citizens) to begin my service as a "Petit Juror."
Actually the whole thing was pretty dang interesting. Having never been called upon to serve, I wasn't sure what to expect. The details of it all make for boring reading, but it was interesting.
The Jurdge went through finding out how many were too old to stay awake, or too sick to get there, or who weren't really a citizen, or a resident and all. One pretty touching thing took place. Well, I don't know if it was touching, or what, but I pondered on it a good while.
The Jurdge said that one of the qualifications was that you must be able to read, write, and understand the English language. Then he asked if anybody in there couldn't. One young lady (a white gal who looked about 30) stood up, and approached the place where you approach. She gave her name, and the Jurdge asked her, "Ma'am, can you not read, write, or understand the English language?" She said, "No sir." So, he pressed her, "You did understand the question, so you can understand the English language." She replied, "Yes sir, I can understand English, I just can not read and write."
I thought to myself, "Man! Would I have the humility to stand up in a room filled with maybe a couple hundred fellow adults and be able to admit that?" Probably not. It was kind of a humbling moment...(or, it was a dang good way to get out of jury service, because she got excused without another word).
Anyway, the court was taking place in another courtroom, and about 11 am, the other District Jurdge (a friend from 1st grade and on up) came in and told us that we'd not be needed the rest of the day, due to the fact that the cases he was handling in the morning all decided not to proceed with a trial. He thanked us...did kind of an ad-lib joke about something that made everybody laugh, and told us to go on home, and call back tonight to see if we'd be needed tomorrow.
We gotta know our Juror Number when we call. And, mine is #55.
So, I reckon y'all can call me "Double Nickel!" (At least for the term of my service of doin' my civic duty).
So, that's all. I'll let y'all know if I have to go again, and how it all goes.
Oh yeah! The best part of the day was that I got to eat lunch at the Coathouse with my buddy, Jim. They gots excellent french fries at the little grill in the BP Coathouse! Good visit, too!
Monday, April 25, 2011
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We had a lady who stood up in the courtroom during the time the judge was explaining who could be excused and announced she was a felon. She seemed quite proud of it. There were lots of interesting folks here in OK that I thought were too stupid to serve on a jury. Still, they did not pick me.
ReplyDeleteLou, I feel your pain! I mean, I know that I was REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanting to sit on a jury...just like you!
ReplyDeleteReally, I was. But it just wasn't in the cards. Crud...
There were several old folks there that declined the "age exemption." I talked to one elderly fellow in the hall, and he said he really wanted to get "a chance to fry some bastid!"
I'll tell you, it was an eye-opener, and a quite enjoyable morning.
Waiting in a jury pool is one of the best people-watching experiences around. I did a couple posts about my stint in the jury lounge back in 2009.
ReplyDeleteThat young woman -- definitely a pondering subject.
I served a week as a juror on a murder trial. It was tough, rewarding, but it sticks with you. Beyond a reasonable doubt is not beyond AL doubt ya know?
ReplyDeleteP.S. You might dig this.
http://woody.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/04/anti-obama-sticky-note-campaign.html
Woody, I am very grateful that it was YOU, and not ME that had to serve on a murder trial jury.
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing the heavy lifting. Glad to see you posting again. I've been reading, but have not had any gems to bless you with. Hope y'all are doing good.