Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Live and Direct from the Franklin County Courthouse

Hey hey IAG fans. I have not deserted you. I've just been on holiday, as they say in the U.K.
I was off galavanting around the New Hampshire Seacoast area last week...bustling shops, quaint neighborhoods and all in all, a charming place.

This week and next, however, are a whole other story. I am on JURY DUTY. Yes, that fabled existence where you get paid to sit around and listen, then give your one word opinion. No one mentions that you pay for parking ($5-$10), your lunch ($5-$12) and snacks from the vending machine ($3-$5). So that pretty much eats up your $20/day stipend. So much for a lifetime career as a professional juror.

I would like to say, this experience has inspired a renewed sense of civic duty and service to country...but this is day 2 and the big criminal case just settled, moments before we the prospective jury members were meant to enter the courtroom. I feel ridiculously relieved. A press conference happens as all 60 of us wait to descend the elevator in silence, back to the jury pool waiting room.

High drama here at the Courthouse.

In case you get called to your own jury duty, here are a few (ahem!) good excuses...

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"that fabled existence where you get paid to sit around and listen, then give your one word opinion"

Actually, you get to listen, take notes and then discuss the merits of the case with other jurors so that other Americans can get their constitutionally-ensured right to trial by jury. Thanks OCLC for helping me find ways of circumventing this onerous system!