Jury Duty Calls

On Monday I had the privilege of enjoying jury duty (YAY ME!). I left the house at 6:30am, and didn't return until about 5 pm. The hours in between were filled with waiting. Waiting for the lights to change, waiting for other cars to turn or to decide which lane they wanted to be in. Then waiting in line at the "security" checkpoint. Waiting for my name to be called as part a jury pool. Waiting in the courtroom until the lawyers selected the jury. Then back down to the jury chambers to wait to be picked for another pool. I never did get selected for a jury, but I think I've come up with a good list of ways to survive waiting while on jury duty:

1. Bring a sweater. No mater what the temp is outside, inside will be freezing cold, as high electric bills are a great way to spend taxpayers dollars.
2. Bring your favorite book, magazine, Ipods, Gameboys -- anything that might amuse you for up to 8-10 hours. Don't rely on the Court's selection of periodicals. You could be stuck reading magazines you would ordinarily never pick up. I actually saw a big strapping FBI man who was so bored he was reading the Martha Stewart Living magazine.
3. Bring non-perishable food (granola bars, snack mix, pretzels, nuts, etc.). Don't assume there is a cafeteria on the premisis, or that food is within easy walking distance. We only had vending machines, and a 6-8 block walk to the nearest diners. While I was lucky and got a 2-hour lunch break, most everyone else got about a 30-40 minute break, which didn't leave much time for eating after walking to get food.
4. Think good thoughts. Complaining isn't going to change anything. You will be stuck there just like everyone else. Whining will only annoy your fellow waiters. Keep reminding yourself that you are fulfilling a civic duty, and that you could be in worse places -- the waiting room at the ER, the waiting room at the airport, the line at the DMV.
5. Use the bathroom facilities whenever you can. You never know when you might be called into a pool, and once you are in the courtroom, you cannot leave. Empty that bladder every chance you get.
6. Make nice with the court employees. They don't want to be there anymore than you do. They have a job to do, and they try to do it to the best of their ability. The more you cooperate, the better than can do their job. And if they like you, they may give you a cookie. Or a donut.
7. Keep in mind that the jury duty process is not set up to be the most convenient for you. It is set up to ensure that everyone receives a fair trials. Sometimes the wheels of justice turn slowly. If this means extra waiting on your part, so be it. If you were the defendent, wouldn't you want to make sure your jury was going to be fair and impartial?
8. Be VERY grateful you are neither the victim nor the defendent. While our legal process is better than some, it leaves much room for improvement.

On the amusing side of jury duty, we had some people who were dead ringers for some celebs, a Robert DeNiro look-alike, a Katharine Hepburn double, and a JohnMcCain twin. Go figure!