Being Juror #5

Sometime last semester, I got a letter in the mail from the Sacramento County Judicial System asking me (not so politely) to come in for jury duty. Thankfully, I got to decline because I was 3,000 miles away and that would be one hell of a commute. However, my very honest mother told them not to worry and that I would be home for winter break. Well they found me during winter break.

I was a little peeved because my whole plan during break was to work as much as possible because—like any college student—I’m in desperate need of money. So this really screwed up my plans. But as it came closer, I got a little excited. It would be a cool new experience and kind of a break in the monotony of being at home.

My home for 4 days.

For those of you who have never been to jury duty before, it’s not glamorous at all…but it is pretty interesting if you people watch and observe all that you can. Honestly, I think the worst part of going was parking. My first day was easy because I got there at 7:20, a little before the other jurors. But the second day I had to find another lot. And boy am I terrible at navigating the city—so that was quite an adventure at 8 in the morning.

Once you get through the metal detectors and up to the second floor, you have to check in and then sit in the “Juror’s Assembly Room”. Awesome. It’s basically an airport with no planes to catch. They have the same exact chairs that are all connected and TVs that don’t play anything you want to watch.

So you’re in this room with a few hundred other people, and the woman behind the counter will call off a list of random names to go report to a courtroom. At this point, I’m not exactly sure if I want my name to be called or not, so I sit there anxiously half disappointed and half relieved that I don’t have to move.           

But eventually my name gets called and I report to the fourth floor to Grand Courtroom 29. Apparently they love to make you wait, because this is just another place to stand/sit around until you hear your name called. Luckily though, I don’t have to wait long. After the bailiff steps out, he calls my name fifth and I take the seat as Juror #5.

(More to come later!)