05/22/2026
I got that small white postcard a couple of weeks ago. You know the one. We don't think about it at all until it arrives in the mail and then it's, “Aw man, this is really going to disrupt my life.”
I received plenty of joking advice about how to get out of jury duty but the truth is, I don't actually mind it. I feel it's my civic duty and a chance to give back to the community and country that I love.
It's interesting too, to see democracy in action. I was part of a second wave of 65 jurors: the back-up plan for the original group of 65. The wheels of justice are more like an old-fashioned wagon wheel going uphill than a racetrack tire built for speed. Jury selection alone can take days. The judge told us at the outset that the trial would last nine days and that 12 jurors and 2 alternates would be selected to serve. After sitting through one day of the prosecutor questioning the jury candidates, I'm guessing it would have been seven days of jury selection and two days of trial. The questions were understandably lengthy and personal.
On my second day, we were told to arrive at 11am. We milled around in the hallway outside the courtroom for half an hour before the judge dismissed us for lunch. I had a a great conversation and a delicious latte at the Daily Dose with three fellow jury candidates before returning at 1pm. We were brought into the courtroom a half hour later only to have the judge tell us we were free to go. She thanked us for our patience and said she hoped the experience had been fun and educational. She sincerely thanked us for our time and dismissed us. Apparently, a plea bargain was reached.
Next time that postcard arrives, remember: it’s not just a summons. It’s an adventure. A slow, waiting around adventure…but an adventure nonetheless.
—Lara
