Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

Carol’s Corner

February 17, 2008

How many of you have served for jury duty? How many of you have ever wished to serve for jury duty or knew someone who has?

When I was young and an idealist I always wanted the experience to serve on the jury.  It is a civil duty and an important one at that.

Most of you know that I will be going for Jury Selection on March 17^th. That doesn't mean I will be selected because the lawyers have to make that decision. However, I must appear and take my chances.

I am a bit fearful.  Some of you may not understand this fear. My background has led me to a different life than the average middle class Canadian or American.  You see I have always lived in the ghetto, and ghetto life is a different culture altogether. 

During my 53 years on this earth, I have come to be aware of gangs in the area; gangs that are drug related.  My son unfortunately knows many former classmates who are now gang members. 

Nevertheless, what I do share in common with all Montrealers is the knowledge that we have very powerful gangs in our city; mafia and biker gangs, the Irish, the Haitians, the Sicilians, the French and so on and so forth.  These people do not take lightly to people serving jury duty.

Then there is a uncomfortable feeling that I think most people can understand; serving duty for a murder case where there is a pedophile involved.  Imagine having to hear tapes of screams and having to look at pictures where children have been raped and tortured and cut up in pieces.  Most people would not have the stomach for it; at least I know I wouldn't.

Yes, I do know not all cases are as morbid or dangerous as I have described, and yes I know at this point I do not even know if I will be picked.  I just wanted you the reader to understand my feelings on the subject.

I will now end this piece with a little bit of humour.  It actually happened to a co-worker of mine over 30 years ago.

***

Many people try to get out of jury duty and do it to look undesirable at the time of selection.

One guy who I worked got out of jury duty by pretending to have a bias. Here is how the conversation went:

Lawyer: how do you feel about serving on the jury?

Friend: I love it

Lawyer: can you elaborate?

Friend: I get to put the bad guys behind bars.

Lawyer: Is that all?

Friend: What else could there be? Bad guys go to jail it's the law

Lawyer: What if they are innocent?

Friend: They are never innocent?

Lawyer: A juror's duty is to determine if they are guilty or innocent is it not?

Friend: No it is not; they are never innocent.

Lawyer: How can you be so sure?

Friend: They are brought here aren't they?

Lawyer: Yes, but they are brought to trial in order to decide if they are guilty or innocent.

Friend: No, no, no, you can't fool me with your fancy talk. If they are brought here they are guilty.

Lawyer: But how can you be so certain of that if you haven't heard the case?

Friend: They got arrested didn't they?

Lawyer: They may have been summons to court.

Friend: Again with your fancy smancy talk.

Lawyer: How do you decide that they are automatically guilty just because they are summons to court?

Friend: Because the policeman caught them in the act and they are guilty as hell.

Lawyers: The police officer may not have caught them in the act...

Friend: enough already. You are just trying to trick me. If the police officer arrested them they are guilty otherwise they wouldn't be here. It is their job to get the guy.

Lawyer: They could make mistakes.

Friend: You are an officer of the court and you are maligning this judicial system. What is your name?  I will make a complaint right now! How dare you say that the court system makes mistakes, how dare you call yourself a citizen of this fine democracy?

***

Of course he got off; they thought he was crazy.

My co-worker said from the exchange of glances between the lawyers, he could tell they were enjoying his answers.

Authors note:  Please do not attempt this farce to get out of jury duty; I wanted you to have a good laugh, though hopefully not at my expense.

Remember, jury duty is a serious and important function in our society. 

Carol Roach

winterose@videotron.ca