This week I have offically become a Jury member. What are the chances?

On Monday I had to report downtown in the court office for Jury duty. This basically means sitting in a jam-packed room for 1 week, waiting to be called into a trial. If there is no need for anyone, you sit. Thanks to an 80's video on "So you've been called for jury duty!" played in thte morning, they mention that it's your civic duty to serve as a jury member. Bob, a construction worker explained how rewarding it was to serve on a jury. So if bob enjoyed it, you should too!

I've heard many people who have also served on jury duty, but few who were selected. Of the few who were selected, they were assigned to quite small 2-3 day cases.

The majority of folks sit in a big waiting room like cattle for the week they are required. It's room of chairs crammed side-by-side, with a few booths on the side (sorry, no internet). After reporting in on Monday @8:30AM you are assigned a colour and wait to be called. I took this as my opportunity to do some work.

Bringing my laptop, I snagged a booth on the side and set up shop. The first hour was used to let those w/an excuse to get out of jury duty; the next hour was just waiting in silence. This room would be a great social study, watching as people start to nest in their spot and chat with those around them. You can't help but be forced to interact when you're crammed in there for 8 hrs a day!

By 10:30 AM my colour was called and the purple and red cattle were herded upstairs on a case. Entering into the courtroom, I was suprised to see the defendent and council already in there before us. the judge spent about 30 mins of weeding out more jury members (medical, language comprehension and other excuses). Next, the clerk started pulling names out of a drum, and like bingo numbers we were called out. Unlike bingo, when your number is called it's a question whether you've "won" or "lost".

I was called up on the first batch of about 20 people. One by one, each person is asked to look at the defendent and the council decides whether you are in or out. If both sides are 'content', you're given the oath and are part of the jury. If one side 'challenges', you're back in the herd. Either the crown or defence don't need to give any reason why they challenge.

All they know about you is your name, occupation, and whatever you're looking like that day. There is no Q&A, so thus no opporunity to take the advice of others by saying: "I'm pro death penalty!" or "all murderers must pay!". By the time I was up, there were only 2 of 12 other members were selected. Staring at the defendent, I hear both sides say "Content"...

I was selected.

My boss told me i'd be exactly what they want, or exactly NOT what they want. I guess i fit the bill. On the brigher side of things, perhaps it's better to get selected on the first morning of the first day, then to sit for 5 days in the cattle room only then to get selected. It took another hour and dozens and dozens of people before the final 12 were selected. I'm not sure they look for, but I'd say teachers were the most turned away, which I think is b/c they could be too altruistic and side with the defendent. I did mention that I have a business trip in 2.5 weeks, with the judge answering back that they'd try and get it done by then.. i.e. nice try but you're in buddy.

After about an hour briefing with the Judge, we had some lunch and began the case. I can't say anything except that it's a 2nd degree murder case. What I can talk about are some general observations, which i'll get to soon.

Cheers,
-RE

Labels: court

It's been awhile since i've written here. Things have been busy, and the advent and global explosion of Facebook has thrown me off the blogger path a little. I hope to keep writing here, since it's something that i've had for sometime now.

I just got back from my sister's high school commencement. She went to the same high school as both my brother and I did. All three of us were there, marking a major night for my family. The last of the kids has finally finished high school! With an empty nest my parents are back in the house selling swing of things. I'll be seeing a 'for sale' sign within 1-2 years, guaranteed!

Back to the commencement. It's now been 9 years since I walked the halls of LPCI (my high school). It was foreign yet to oh so familiar to me. Having spent 5 years there I had a mass of memories banked somewhere in the recesses of my brain, erupting from the depths tonight. The lava came pouring out, hot and sputtering random memories here and there, sparked by old paintings, photos, honour rolls, squeaky auditorium chairs, mangled steps and piss-yellow lockers.

God i'm glad i'm done high school.

Funny thing was, as i walked down the hallway I imagined my friend Margaret sitting on the floor with Rani, waiting for strings class; or Lauren and Winkie in the hallway near artclass for lunch; or James, Neilson and George chatting about beating proline in the caf. Crazy shit. Some of the wall art painted by my old classmates were still there, bringing me right back to my OAC spares in the caf where we played euchre while attempting to do calculus homework at the same time.

As much as I am done with high school, i've gotta say they were some great years of my life, with all high, lows and emotional ugliness. Some of those friends are popping up on facebook again, which can be a little freaky, but all in all great. The advent of facebook is all about social networking, and as much as I can bitch about "that guy from high school i'd never want to talk to again", I am loving it. It's so cool to see where people have landed no? It's not like you need to actually hang out again! :)

So many of my memories lately have been centered around the short term - the past year of buying a house, my past relationship, past job and may be a bit from university. But i haven't gone back into the catacombs and blown off the dust from high school for some time.. and I can't help but get a little warm and fuzzy, reminiscing about the trips and toils of teen-hood.

OK, so i am feeling super old now, especially since:
a) High school in Ontario is now only 4 years = 17/18 year old grads were among us
b) Next year it will be a decade since i left
c) 99% of the staff are new, some being my age and super cute
d) The grads of 2007 were 9 years old when i graduated.

Age is just relative right? To a 55-year old I'm still a little bee.. I just wish I wasn't so hell bent on being older when i was younger, but rather just focused on my age at hand. So i'm doing it now - loving my late 20s and living it to the max!!

Take care,

-RE

Labels: high school