Civic Reponsibility

Since MDP has been summoned to perform his civic duty, I thought I would share my two experiences with jury duty.

The first occurred when I was in my mid 20's down in the bowels of far south Louisiana. Being my first time I was nervous and truly wanted to be picked to serve. Perhaps I was expecting it to be like a Perry Mason episode. The case involved a fellow in his late 50's who was charged with public indecency. Far south Louisiana is not known for their manners and gentility. This man had allegedly relieved his bladder in public within view of small children. I was not chosen after the very first round where we were asked to give our name, age, place of employment and whether we knew what reasonable doubt meant. We were told what reasonable doubt meant just before the questioning so to not know meant you weren't listening or didn't understand. Whatever the reason, I was not chosen. The defendant needed a psychiatrist.

Fast forward to about 3 or 4 years ago also in Louisiana but not quite so far south. I was summoned to serve. This time the case involved a young fellow maybe in his early 20's. He had confessed to breaking into a local interior design and home improvement store and stealing money from the cash register. During the first round of questioning for selection we were asked to give our name, address (!?!?!?), place of employment and whether we thought a police officer was more trustworthy than someone else simply because he is a officer of the law. It was a loaded question to which I was prepared to give a thorough powerpoint presentation.

Not only was I chosen to serve but the group unanimously chose me as lead juror. The rookie assistant D.A. prosecuted the case and it was every bit as dramatic as a Perry Mason episode. Had she brought the defendant t0 tears then I would have been truly impressed.

The defendant admitted to stealing the money but said he was forced at gunpoint to do so by some other guys to whom he owed drug money. Once we saw all the evidence it was clear that this young man was guilty. He looked like a fellow that needed help. Maybe not added jail time as he was already being held for drug possession. But perhaps some time in rehab along with some professional guidance. I'd like to think that the outcome helped him but I suspect it was the opposite.