Constitutional Wrong
How much does Jury Duty suck? Turns out it sucks a whole lot. Today is my second day of being holed up in another nasty room with no windows among a bunch of greasy strangers that smell like cigarettes and mothballs. I HATE JURY DUTY!
So, today is the day where they ask us questions and determine who will be in the final twelve. Yesterday I sat in a room for 2 hours before they dismissed half the group. The lucky half. I was left, with about 40 others, to travel downstairs to the actual courtroom where they proceeded to tell us we are privileged to be here. “Jury Duty is your very special Constitutional right…” Blah blah blah. In my book, anything that takes me away from my family, eats up an entire day and leaves me with a pounding headache is a Constitutional wrong.
So I must be a good little citizen and fulfill my right (choke, hack, cough) while the city goes on screwing me forward and back. “We have childcare downstairs by the front entrance.” Oh, you mean that claustrophobic room where a bunch of 8 year-olds are running around kicking each other and wrestling on the matted, puke-stained carpet while all varieties of city-folk are traipsing in off the street and pushing on through the metal detectors? Thanks, I’ll just have my husband take ANOTHER day off work, you fucking losers. By the way, how’s that gaping pot hole on my street doing? The one that threw off my car’s alignment and is going to cost me $300 in repairs? Oh, and please send the police to my house again with a false accusation that results in my husband being locked up, $1000 in bail and another $5000 in lawyer fees - all for a “mistake” on the part of the system. And while you’re at it, put up some more red tape for me to crawl through when I actually have a REAL emergency and need your help, when someone dangerous is harassing me and my life is threatened.
Good job assholes.
P.S. Did I mention how much I hate Jury Duty?
April 17th, 2007 12:39
Bummer! I have only been called in twice, once I had moved away and the other time Evan was in the hospital so I got off scot free both times.
April 17th, 2007 16:43
awww…i always get out of jury duty by telling the city there is no one else who can watch the kids. because it’s true. That said, I’ve always kind of WANTED to experience that particular civic responsibility. My Dad however, always got out of it by answering “I think that deserves the death penalty.” to any question that was asked…including his name. I hope you get to go home soon!!
April 17th, 2007 19:49
Ok, I know I am weird, but I actually like jury duty. I think I have watched too many court dramas or something! Sorry your day of duty was so awful!
Oh, does your county also pay you a whopping $9 dollars a day? I just love that! I’d rather see the government save face and offer me nothing for doing my part.
April 17th, 2007 21:46
I have, thru personal experience, such an utter disdain for the legal system and police I shudder to think about serving jury duty. I’ve never had to in this county I’ve grown up in and still live. My husband, though, who never was called in his home county, has served twice since living where we are now for the last 12 years.
But let me mention again my disdain…and add that city leaders here need to enforce some damn dog ordinances. Oh wait! Said city staff is the one who’s dog is being a nuisance to me. Isn’t that lovely…
I feel for you!
April 17th, 2007 23:53
That sucks!
I’ve only been summoned once, when I was about 20…I got paid for the day, but was dismissed. Whew.