And He Wore A Bow-tie!

Just in case you were wondering, I did end up driving into Baltimore for Jury Duty but on the 13th, that Tuesday, not on my day off. It was a small group of Jurors. We were chosen for a civil case, asked questions to determine our potential as fair and impartial jurors and then the majority were dismissed. I was not asked to sit on the jury. I was happy.
The best part of the day - besides getting out early enough to rush home and enjoy a beautiful afternoon with Sara and Evie Sue - would have to have been the attitudes of the court employees. The Jury clerk was bright and friendly. The Court Officer was warm, and constantly making little jokes here and there, mispronouncing names, and reassigning names for the jurors whom he could not pronounce. Then there was the Judge. At first glimpse he seemed like rather a severe sort of character with glasses, a bald head, and an apparent scowl. I soon noticed that he was wearing a bow-tie. When have you ever seen a Judge sporting a bow-tie? The scowl quickly faded to a puckish sneer. This guy, His Honor, was funny, too. He cracked jokes about Jurors obviously preferring to be elsewhere! He got it! He understood. He was happy to expedite the process and send us home.
The worse part of the day was the $25 parking lot fee, which, hopefully, the court will be reimbursing me for. Keep your fingers crossed.

Relax

As it turns out I don't have to drive into Baltimore for jury duty; not today anyway. Tomorrow? Maybe I'll have to drive in tomorrow. I'm supposed to call this evening and check on my status again.
But for today I am off! No school! No grocery store!
I slept in, and was only slightly disturbed by the utility workers digging up my neighbors' driveway. I walked the dog - beautiful morning - had a cup of coffee, and now I'm just relaxing as the baby naps. I plan on doing some reading today, some cleaning, laundry, and some relaxing. Maybe we'll take the family unit out on a long walk with the doggie and enjoy the sunshine. We've got the whole day ahead of us.

"Cosmic Joke".

One of my co-workers used the above term to describe the fact that I may have to drive into Baltimore and go through jury selection/serve jury duty this coming Monday. The reason it's funny is because Monday is my DAY OFF! I get one day off a month, when I don't work either job, and it looks like I might be performing my civic duty on that one day! Yay! Life is funny that way!

Juror Number Stupid!

Words to the wise -

If you are ever in Jury Selection and, while being interviewed, you are asked if you've ever been arrested on criminal charges and you have... just admit it. My Jury Day started off with the first prospective juror claiming to have no prior arrests, but after a side bar it was revealed that the guy had, indeed, been arrested. 3 Times! It was so surreal.

The Judge gave the man several opportunities to change his story, and admit the truth. He didn't. The Judge reminded him that he was under oath and asked him again. The man said, "No, Your Honor." The Judge checked again to be absolutely positive. The man insisted that he didn't remember ever being arrested.

Didn't remember?

The Judge then held up police reports and one by one went down the guys sheet; 3 prior arrests. After each one the guy said, "Oh, yeah. I forgot about that." Well, he won't be serving on the Jury because I'm pretty sure he's being charged with 3 counts of Perjury.

I, on the other hand, was selected as Juror and now must track down to the Southside for the next few days and sit through the trial, and get paid for my civic duty. $17.20 a day.

Run For It, Marty!

"Oh My God! They found me! I don't know how but they found me."

By Order Of The Circuit Court Of Cook County, Illinois, You (ME) are Hereby Summoned To Appear For Jury Service...

CRAP!