Service?

Blog 25 …

        

          Being summoned by a court system to serve peers should be perceived as a humbling task.  Service is necessary for all people who believe that justice must be upheld.  Jury Duty, better thought of as Jury Service nowadays however, can either be a learning experience of sort or be a huge drag and a waste of time - my personal time … that is!  

           Getting up as early as six AM just a day after daylight savings time change from fall back to spring forward is unpleasant for a must-do civil duty, if you know what I mean!  There I was though … giving in to it, but grudging and whining within.  After all I have no excuse getting out of it.  So I get in my car, still icy-cold from yesterday’s sleet storm.  I was glad to start the car without a hitch, but I drive in anxiety.  I weave images of what could happen at the courthouse as I move and merge with early traffic.  Soon my car’s GPS gets me close to “Jurors” designated parking deck downtown GSO. 

          “From here, where do I go now?” I quietly ask myself. 

Even though the downtown parking garage appears alienating, I am, nonetheless, glad to arrive at it, slide into a space, and park.  Out in the open, next to the main street, I realize the parking deck is located a few blocks away from the Courthouse.  I rush my walk so as not to get late, only to regret it.  At the entry door where other fellow jurors-to-be have already convened, a long line greets me.

          "Belts, coat jackets and personal paraphernalia must go into a bin and carried in through the security check," the court clerk’s voice blares.

          We all pay attention and do as told.  We queue, and then wait a turn to pass through the check booths.  Soon we are led to an exit door and instructed to get to a room in Floor 3.  We all quietly wait some more in a Juror Assembly Room.  I look around.  I begin to sense everyone’s fretfulness.  I am pleased that I am not alone with apprehension.  At the appointed time, the Clerk of Superior Court briefs everyone on procedures for juror selection and expectations: sit in one day’s trial or sit at duration of a trial, we learn.  Clarifications complete, we all sit some more, and wait for judges’ call for jurors at trials scheduled to happen for the day.  At half past eleven, roll for service is called.  It was not my fortunate day to serve. 

          I gripe over my wasted morning, but what a relief!