…could you use the necessary accoutrement’s, not notices in the mail? Welcome to JURY DUTY folks. That’s right. Another wonderful instrument of torture brought to us by the government. It rivals (in annoyance, but not in rudeness) the Disability and Unemployment offices.
The worst part when I get these notices are the comments and accompanying laughter that I receive from my so-called “loved ones”.
My best friend, Michelle: You know, they sent me a notice. I just didn’t show up and I’ve never
gotten another one. *Laughs* I don’t know why they keep bugging
you.
Me: *Glares at Michelle* Yeah, well–
and what can I say? I got nothin’. They keep calling me for Jury Duty because of my father. That’s right. When all else fails, blame the parents. My father was a patriot in every sense of the word. He used the word “duty” in everyday conversation. He instilled in me an overdeveloped (and apparently rare) sense of my duty as an American. There were only a few things he insisted I learn.
1. Vote. If you don’t, you can’t bitch. It’s a law….somewhere. That’s what he told me anyway.
2. When called for Jury Duty, go. You have to help enforce the laws you vote for. He showed the example by serving several times and twice on a Grand Jury.
3. It’s your country, right or wrong. If you don’t like it, vote for change or move.
Harsh? Yes. Do I follow those little “rules”? Well, to the best of my ability. I don’t expect anyone else to feel the same way. But it is tough to suffer the laughter of others when I’m doing my self righteous civic duty and all I have to do is just “not show up” and they’ll leave me alone.
The Peer Pressure is enormous. “Everybody does it. Just ignore it. Say you never got it.”
Easy.
But I just can’t.
Last time, I made it to the jury box to be questioned by the lawyers. After a few choice words about my distrust of lawyers, I was “excused” (read “Get her outta here! She may infect the others”)
So, tomorrow morning I’m off for my yearly torture. AND I get to bring along my edits, just for added pain and suffering.
As you can see by my picture, I am THRILLED.
How about you? Jury or no?
September 19th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I have never been called for jury duty and I’ve been a voter since I was 18 years old…many many years ago. I don’t know if it’s luck or they just haven’t gotten around to me yet. LOL
September 19th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Well, they let me off the hook. I wasn’t even trying. I just told them I had to leave before noon because my kid’s school has minimum day every Wednesday. Imagine my shock when the nice ladies smiled and said “We’ll call you another time”.
SWEEEEEEEEET.
I don’t know why they call me. It’s like they knew my Dad or something.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
I’ve been called a few times. Most of them were when I was active duty and registered to vote in another state. That was easy enough to get out of. The last time was when Army Guy was deployed. I talked to the judge and he let me go. I expect I’ll get called again.
This is the thing pisses me off. My mother is in medical malpractice–I’ll never get picked for a civil trial. Army Guy is a civilian cop in the jurisdiction we live in–I’ll never get picked for a criminal trial. Shouldn’t there be a list for people just like me? Ya know, just to cut down on the number of people they have to wade through? It’s annoying to sit and wait and then they figure out, oh yeah don’t want this one lol.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
True, Loribelle. There should be a list for people LIKE you.
I have never been called but have been a registered voter since 18. We have moved alot. That might be why.
But I have heard that if you advocate hanging for the smallest infractions they will strike your name from the pool. Hmmm, might have to try that. Seriously, I am way to opininated. They would take one look at my qestionaire and both sides would be fighting over who gets to strike me from the pool.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I write mysteries and suspense…I LOVE Jury Duty. I got called and served once…I got called again when the boys were babies and asked for a 6-month extension and they never called me back (wah!)