Jury duty adventure!

8:26AM –
I’m sitting in an interesting board room with about 20-other strangers who each are a bit smarter than me. I was quickly caught off-guard walking into this courthouse here in South Bend this morning when I was met with a security officer, a metal detector, and a similar setup to an airport security. I was asked to hand over my cell phone, the sweet pocket knife that is attached to my keys, and put all of my other belongings through the x-ray machine. I also had to remove my belt which was quite interesting considering all of my pants are too small these days after my unnatural diet of a few weeks ago.

When I came into this room I was met with that silence that instantly comes when you are surrounded by people you’ve never met before and probably share nothing in common with. We were each told to fill out a short “juror’s form” that was sitting here on a table.

The chair that I’m sitting in probably cost $200 or so – it’s incredible. I wonder if I could get out of here with it.

I’m kidding.

But seriously – this chair! It’s great – no wonder we pay so much in taxes each year – these chairs are a must-have for any courthouse if you ask me!

It’s fun watching people come into this room with no more knowledge than I had coming in here – it’s really true that we’re all on the same page. No one is talking, everyone is either reading a book, filling out their form, twiddling their thumbs, or re-reading the form they filled out minutes ago. I wonder who all of these people are. I also wonder what happens next…

8:33AM –
Interesting –
One of my former “security guards” is now the “doorman” – they’re changing shifts every few minutes, I guess.
He just walked in and told us a bit about what will be happening. The “in-flight” movie will be about 20-minutes and teach us about jury duty and such. I hope it has cheesy acting and a terrible plot-line like all of those government-produced flicks we had to watch in school back-in-the-day. Maybe it will be an old 16mm film, too? Nevermind – there’s a projector directly above my head. Welcome to 2007, right? The lady at the head of the table I’m sitting at just mentioned that she’s “not quite sure” about the chair she’s sitting in (identical to my chair). I told her that “it’s fine, look!” as I swivvled around like any good youth pastor should/would! She said, “oh!” and smiled. I don’t think she likes me.

8:37AM –
Note to self: next time, bring a book!

8:39AM –
Book title across the room, “The Search for Significance”. I just noticed that we’re all caucasians in here except for one Asian guy so far. My table has three women, myself and one other gentleman – who just excused himself to the restroom.

8:41AM –
Some guy just walked in spouting off information. I’m going to listen now. Apparently the video will be 21-minutes. YIPPEY!

8:47AM –
This video was shot sometime in the early 90’s. “I’ve been ‘called to serve’.” Good to know. Acting=terrible. Graphics=worse! The video is on VHS – does anyone remember what those look like?

8:51AM –
“Voir Doir” – latin?
“for cause” – lawyer asking the judge to remove a juror from a certain case

8:59AM –
Andy Giffith would’ve made a MUCH better host for this movie that seems to be dragging on and on!

9:04AM –
Produced by Jody E. George
and other useless credits…
except this one – “Produced in Washington, DC in 1995”
Told you!

9:06AM –
recalculation – one African American college-aged man is now here

9:09AM –
Judge Sharp is presiding over this case.
They only have instant coffee in the courthouse, so, “drink the good stuff before you come!”
The trial will begin today. “If you’re chosen for the jury, you will begin your duty today, and this trial will only go for a week.”

9:17AM –
This is a Federal Court case.

9:20AM –
Federal pays $40/day & 40-cents per mile of travel & $3 parking. State court only pays $18/day! Sweetness!

9:24AM –
I’m listening to a bunch of ongoing conversations. It’s interesting to see these conversations happening after a long stent of silence up until this point. Apparently we’ll be called back into the courtroom in a few minutes and being the “Voir Doir” juror selection. I think I’ll hold out on my desire to act schizophrenic and act as mature as I can and see what happens!

This is probably the last written update. Time for a potty break!

10:55AM –
Sitting in the courtroom now. I am NOT on the jury (yet). 16 have been chosen to sit in the juror’s box and I am not one of them. I am part of the other 21 that are sitting on three rows in the rear of the courtroom. We are waiting to see if any jurors are excused and then we may be chosen as potential jurors. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 jurors have all been dismissed. Sheesh! New names are now being drawn!

11:01AM –
New jurors have been chosen. I am not one of them. I still sit-in-waiting with 11 other “unchosen”. The new potential jurors are being interviewed now and then the two lawyers will discuss with the judge and potentially be “released”. The remaining 11 will then have the potential of becoming jury members. Neat, huh?
Some thoughts on the courtroom: completely wood-grained. Just like on tv! :) I count 3 flat-panel television screens, 9 computers – all with flat LCD panels. The “seal” on the front of the courtroom says, “United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana”. I have to pee.

11:04AM –
My guess is that of the 10 new potential jury members 4 or 5 of them will be “released” and they will choose 4 or 5 more from our “in-waiting” crew. I still have to pee.

Interestingly, most of the potential jurors have a highschool diploma and/or have completed “some” college. I only counted 2 so far that have completed atleast a 2-year degree.

11:09AM –
Funny moment:
JUDGE: “Does your wife work outside of the home?”
POTENTIAL JUROR: “She doesn’t work INSIDE the home!”
COURT: LAUGHTER
POTENTIAL JUROR: “I’ve been waiting all morning for that one!”

11:10AM –
Another book title from across the room – “Power of a Praying Husband” (I think I have that book, though I haven’t read it yet…)

11:12AM –
Interesting to note that the transcriptionist is wearing headphones when the lawyers and the judge are engaged in the “challenge” as it’s called. She is looking towards them across her shoulder which I assume helps her transcribe who is saying what. I’d like to know more about that job sometime.

11:13AM –
Second challenge is done. Dismissals commencing…
1, 2, 3, 4 dismissed.
New potentials being drawn…

11:16AM –
New potential jurors are now being interviewed. I’m not one of them! I now sit in the back of the courtroom with a dwindling 7-potential selectees. This judge has a great sense of humor! This bench seat is VERY uncomforable. I still have to pee.

11:21AM –
Lawyers and judge are in “challenge” mode again now. Their whispers are annoying. I think they’re only dismissing one potential juror.
Yep. 1 dismissed. 1 new potential being drawn. NOT ME!
One more interview, one more “challenge”. Only six of us left to be dismissed.

11:25AM –
Potential juror was dismissed. New potential chosen – NOT ME, AGAIN! (I’m okay with that!)
Interview taking place. Lawyers are confering and will soon approach the bench for the “challenge”.

11:28AM –
There they go. Surely this guy will stay.

11:29AM –
Potential juror excused! New potential picked, seated, and being interviewed.

11:31AM –
This guy will surely stay on as a jury member.
Lawyers are at the bench with the judge, chatting.

11:32AM –
Potential juror excused AGAIN!
New potential picked, three of us “unchosen” remain. This is “almost” exciting!

11:34AM –
Conferring.
Jury is picked! I’m going home!