I had the pleasure of sitting in a Jury Selection room yesterday.
I used to actually believe that the system worked. I used to think that performing jury duty was a beneficial act of public service. I used to think that Justice was served and that it made a difference.
In the past few years I’ve become increasingly convinced that there is no Justice.
I guess it’s been a slow evolution. Thinking back, it started with the OJ Simpson and Rodney King trials. My thought that Justice is not only blind, deaf, dumb, and prejudiced, was cinched by Lindsay fucking Lohan and the lady who pepper sprayed the crowd in WalMart.
In the case of OJ we saw that money can indeed buy your innocence.
In the case of Rodney King we discovered that media coverage and public opinion was far more effective than actual facts. We also learned that the supposed protection of the “Double Jeopardy” clause wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on.
In the case of Lindsay… well that bitch need to find her ass in prison, and I’m really questioning the competency of the judge presiding over Ms Lohans train wreck.
In the case of the pepper spray woman. We learned that not only can you be above the law… But you can be below it.
We learned that if you plead or feign ignorance of the consequences of your actions you needn’t worry about being punished. I was raised with the concept that “Ignorance of the law wasn’t an excuse” WRONG! WHITEBOY! As long as you’re from a perceived ethnic minority you don’t have to be responsible for your actions.
So There I was sitting in the Jury Room wondering why it was that 98% of the people in the room with me were white. Especially when one considers the demographics of the local area from which the Jury pool is formed.
As I sat there I recalled a conversation that two former co-workers had regarding a Jury Summons.
“Just trow that paper away girl! They ain’t gots enuf police to come and get you. They put that shit about it being illegal to ignore the paper just scare the white folks into wasting their day. How the court ever gonna know you got that paper in the first place??”
Ahhh… That explains why I found myself sitting in the Jury room with a mostly white crowd.
My darkening reverie was interrupted by an announcement that all of us were now invited… AKA forced to watch a short video. The video was well produced and extolled the virtues of performing jury services. The video portrayed the process as educational, fun, and perhaps a way to increase your circle of friends. Uhhhh Right!
I thought it was well done and somewhat informative, but the music was a bit over the top in my opinion. I also didn’t believe a single frame of it. I’m a cynic… so what.
After the video finished, there was another announcement. “We have posted your new panel and juror numbers on lists near the front and back doors. Please find your name, and note your panel and number. If you cannot find your name, please let us know so that we can include you.”
At this point the “airplane” mentality took over, 150 people jumped up and headed toward the lists. A nice gentleman sitting next to me commented on my remaining absolutely still and not leaping up to stand in a line.
I replied, “I heard the announcement… I have no desire to re-create the airplane debarkation drama. I’ll sit right here until the crowd thins then I’ll mosey up and get the information.”
The man chuckled, “What? You’re not going to participate in the American pastime of being impatient and pushy?”
“Nope, I’m not. I’m having far too much fun feeling like Jane Goodall among the chimpanzees. Human crowd behavior confirms that we are indeed primates!”
He laughed out loud at that, and I’d spoken loud enough that I drew a scowl from several of the women standing in the line.
We chatted some more about politics, the state of the state, and the current crop of candidates. It was interesting to note that we were about the same age and had pretty much parallel ideas. He pointed out that even if someone was convicted they’d be out in no time, because the jails and prisons are overcrowded so really what is the point? The point he said, is that this justice and political systems is like the Circus Maximus in Rome. It’s a way to keep the masses entertained and occupied so that while our asses are being sold out we don’t notice.
I admit this is something that I’ve contemplated myself on more than one occasion. I don’t believe in the system anymore, I’d really like to, but at every turn I’m presented with yet more evidence that the system is broken, not repairable, and we need to start over.
Our conversation was interrupted by another announcement.
“Good News everyone…. Panel X has been dismissed because the parties have decided to settle”
Being part of Panel X I pulled a vanishing act that Houdini would have been proud of…
My jury service requirement is fulfilled until next year… or until the most inconvenient of times, whichever comes first.