Jury Duty

I have the great fortune of being called for jury duty...often. I'm sure most people feel this way but I really do get called often. As an example, I was called and served on a jury for the City of Clemson last April. I remember it very well because it was the week after I was back at work from maternity leave. Three week ago I received a letter from Pickens County telling me I was to show-up for jury duty on October 24th.

Now, I must mention that I have also served on juries each time I have been called. I'm not sure, it is my trusting nature that appeals to prosecutors and defensive attorneys alike or my youthfulness or the fact that I am a white female? I am not really sure what makes for a good juror, but I know there is research out there...I've seen trial movies.

So today, I drove the 35 minutes it takes to get to the county seat in Pickens, SC and went to Courtroom 1 as instructed. Once we were in the courtroom, I learned that this sentence of jury duty is not just a day (as the mailing had indicated), it was actually slated to last all week! Now, each day after 6:00, I have to call a number to see what time I need to be in Courtroom 1 each day. Tomorrow is the very convenient time of 11:00.

I must also note that for the first time in my jury duty life, I was excused by one of the attorneys. I think I should be happy about this, but I think I am more questioning why. Is it because I work at Clemson? Is it because I have too much education? It is because I now have a child? I think it is more education and Clemson because i know other people selected had children and the only other person from Clemson in the jury pool was also excused. Lucky for me, tomorrow is another day and I have another chance to do my civic duty!

One other interesting thing I learned today while at the Pickens County Courthouse, the bailiff had no idea what to do with me when I told him I was a nursing mother and needed a place to pump. I am a little confused, how am I the first individual ever to be in there that had this request? Have other women just gone in the bathroom (no thank you!)? In his quest for understanding, he asked how often I needed to do this and how long it would take, citing that he has never done this himself. After getting over his initial surprise in my request and commending me for nursing my child, the bailiff found a conference room I could use and stood guard for me since the door would not lock. He was very kind to also make sure that I had time to use the bathroom as well during this break.

Let's see what tomorrow has in store for me as I perform my civic duty...