Jury duty a responsibility that comes with freedom

“Another jury summons,” I groaned. “Not again!” It seems, somehow, that I got on the revolving door list at the courthouse.

Calls to duty show up in my mailbox way too often. I could give them the names of several relatives and friends who have never been called to serve in my place.

However, on a bright Monday morning, I packed up a book and a few snacks to prepare myself for hours of waiting and headed to the Spokane County Courthouse jury lounge. I suppose we call it the “jury waiting room” for a reason. I thought of all the work piling up on my desk at the office as I checked in and settled into a chair.

A quick glance around the room informed me that I wasn’t the only one concerned about my time. Laptops were opened on several laps, a few people were talking on cell phones and others, like me, brought books to read. Some were sitting with their arms crossed and eyes closed. All of us were waiting.

After a while, the jury assistant showed us a video and gave us an orientation. A judge came to give us his appreciation for our sacrifices to be there. Then a judicial assistant (they used to be called bailiffs) came and called several names. “Please keep waiting and I’ll return with further instructions,” she said and left.

Another judicial assistant came and this time I heard my name. I moved up to get my number and found my place in line before she marched us to the courtroom in Superior Court.

In court, we were introduced to counsels and the defendant and informed that this would be a criminal case. A question/answer session ensued and a jury chosen. I became the alternate juror, which means I would sit in the jury box and hear the trial but not deliberate.

The judge stressed, “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, keep in mind that all opinions, feelings, likes and dislikes must be left outside the courtroom and only the evidence presented in the trial can be used for deliberation.”

In theory that sounds reasonable. Yet facing a defendant and knowing you can’t listen to your “gut feeling,” because it isn’t presented evidence, can become a real struggle. As the trial progressed, I began to realize how big a responsibility it is to have someone’s life in your hands.

The last time I served jury duty, I did not sit on a trial. This time, it impressed me that if the jury were not there, the defendant would not have a chance. There is no due process of law in many countries. Regardless of the verdict, a defendant in this country has the opportunity to be heard because citizens serve as jurors. The weight of that sat on my shoulders.

Days after that trial, I reported to duty again. Along with others, I checked in to the jury lounge and waited. After a time, a judicial assistant came. My name was first this time. I thought, “I’m already in the jury box!”

As we entered the courtroom, no one was there and the judicial assistant told us to sit wherever we wanted. How strange. The judge came in without his black robe and sat among us.

“I could have excused you from the jury lounge,” he said, “But I wanted to explain the processes of the law in this case and what happened while you were waiting. Many times defendants can’t make up their minds whether or not to have a jury trial. Then, when they are told that the jurors are upstairs and waiting to come to the courtroom, reality hits them and they decide to settle. Negotiations were happening as you waited. Your time is never wasted when you wait as a juror. Many things are going on behind the scenes.”

He explained in more detail what the case had been about and answered many questions from us about the general processes of the courts. He again expressed his appreciation for us, the jurors.

I thought back to the beginning of the week when the first judge came to the jury lounge to express his appreciation. I thought then that was just the usual presentation to potential jury panels. I realized now the judges do appreciate jurors and the due process of law could not happen without citizens sacrificing time to serve their country.

Freedom comes with responsibility. Someone’s life may depend upon it.