My duty to the state is done

I completed my jury service today. In my state, jurors are called for one month of service, and juries are filled every other Monday for the following two weeks of trials. Two weeks ago the trial was a conspiracy and burglary case. I sat in the general jury pool with about 80-90 other people and the clerk pulled one name after another. It was rather surreal to hear my name called as juror #10. I took my place in the juror box while they continued to fill the seats. As each name was called, some potential jurors would approach the bench and tell the judge if they felt there was a problem with them serving, some were excused, some were not. Once the seats were filled, the lawyer went and conferred with his client... was it my imagination, or did he just look right at me? I decided I was just being paranoid. Sure enough, "juror #10 is excused". Well, I never! What was wrong with me? Was it my dashing good looks? My funky socks? My knock-off designer purse? I took it personally. So close to making it.

Today was the final day of selection. I looked around, same group of people from last time, and I think, what are the chances my name tag will find the clerk's fingers again, slim I'm sure. Not so. Hello juror #2. I take my seat, and look at the defendant, this one a woman accused of DUI. All the seats get filled, attorney confers with the defendant, lo and behold... I get excused again! Once, maybe. Twice? What is it that they don't like? That I'm a mother to young children? That I have a graduate degree? That I wear a pink jacket? I don't get it. Off I went back to the jury pool. One more trial today that needs jurors and my name doesn't come out of the wooden box. We're dismissed and thanked for our service.

That's it. I'm a little disappointed I didn't get to sit through a trial, but a little relieved. I couldn't help but notice the defendant's elderly mother sitting in the back of the courtroom, her heart likely breaking. Or maybe it was her house they were conspiring to rob. Guess I'll never know. I dropped my official juror name tag in the box on my way out. In a week or so I'll receive a $10 check for my half day of service today. The whole experience was very odd, sitting with strangers for hours, getting a glimpse into the lives of defendants, wondering why you didn't measure up for the attorney, and getting a measly ten bucks for my troubles. This is what America is built on. Strange, but something about it must work. Until the next time.