Monday, Mar. 07, 2005

all about jury duty

Jury Duty is officially over, today was the last day. I was the foreperson.

I learned a lot about our judicial system throughout this four day process. I learned that I probably could have gotten out of jury duty had I tried, but I'm glad I did not.

It was relatively stress free to sit and listen to the stories these people tell. Sitting in the court room was not the hard part.

Determining the fate of someone's life was a little unnerving. Having to be the one to deliver the "bad news" to the plantiff and the rest of the courtroom was also not real easy, although I felt good about the verdict we reached. I felt good knowing that we were not handing somone money that did not seem to deserve it, and definitely did nothing to earn it.

This trial was a learning experience for all of the jury members. We got to know each other on a personal level because we were not allowed to talk about the trial until the very end. Knowing that 7 other people felt the same way I did about this case was affirming.

I feel good knowing that the jury reached a unanimous decision regarding the trial. If I faced the plantiff or the defendant on the street and was asked why we reached the verdict we did, I could look them in the face and tell them exactly why we decided what we did.

I feel good knowing that justice was served.

Knowing I have to go back to work tomorrow? Not so liberating.

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