In the state of Minnesota you can receive a summons to serve on jury duty IF you are a licensed driver, have been issued a state identification card or you're a registered voter. I qualify for two out of the three, so I received a summons in May. That time wasn't good for me. I don't mind doing my civic duty and all that good stuff. I postponed until July, which worked better for my schedule.
When I received the summons I noticed the directive in
BOLD CAPS informing prospective jurors to leave communication devices (phones, pagers and pda's) at home. I didn't like that part but those are the rules. Uh huh - yeah right! Though instructed to leave them home, some people brought their phones, used their phones AND they were loud when they did! If asked to guess I'm sure some would say those people were from the hood, because it's believed hood folks never follow rules and are always loud. WRONG ANSWER! I watched as a few business men and woman whipped out their phones and began using them. You know the type that believe they're PRIVILEGED or entitled? I tried to ignore it, but one joker - MR ANDERSEN insisted on letting me and the rest of the prospective jurors in the pool know all his business by speaking loudly into his phone. I wasn't there for all of that noise. I cared less than a damn about his agenda or clients and I didn't want to hear it. I decided to ask the two Ramsey County employees in charge of this three ring circus about the usage of phones. I approached their office, knocked, opened the door and stepped inside.
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| DO NOT BRING COMMUNICATION DEVICES: PHONES, PAGERS, PDA'S |
The world was totally different behind that door. It was cooler and quiet! MR ANDERSEN, Susie, Megan, Holly, Becky, Crissy and Peter weren't in there running their mouths on their cell phones. I asked the civil servants for some clarity on the no phones policy. "We try to enforce the rule, but some don't comply. We will take their phones before they enter the courtroom," said Miss Lady sitting behind the desk. To which I replied, "So someone like me, that follows that rules, has to listen to the dumb-asses (Yes, those are my words) that didn't follow the rules?" She shrugged her shoulders and repeated the answer. I didn't like her answer the first time and the second time it kinda pissed me off. I gave my standard, "Oh - okay" and out the door I went to reclaim my seat in the jury assembly room. I made certain to give MR ANDERSEN one last extended mean look and sat down. I picked up my book continued reading about my hometown's past with notable criminals.
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| My two books |
I'm not sure how much time passed, but the next thing to happen was the calling of names for a case. Several names were called, including MR ANDERSEN. HA! The big mouth had to shut it up and get off the phone. Phones had to be turned in before being escorted to the courtroom. He didn't appear to be too happy at that time. He turned off and turned in his phone before leaving to sit on a case. Meanwhile, yours truly was excused for the rest of the day. I found this to be a form of justice well served. I'm going back tomorrow. We shall see what it will be.
UPDATE
The next day I was asked by the by the jury room supervisor, "Did you bring your phone?" Huh? Say what?!?!? I'm the only one to follow rules and dude asks me if I BROUGHT MY PHONE??? Oh hell to the nah! I looked him dead in his eye and said, "No, I didn't. I paid attention to the rules and left my phone at home." This is what he said, "I told you yesterday you could bring your phone. It's fine for you to bring it. If you're called for a case we'll take it from you at that time. You mentioned your elderly parents yesterday (Oh, I did say if I had elderly parents and left my phone at home and couldn't contact them, it would seem all others should leave their phones at home. I forgot I told him that.) and it would be okay for you to have your phone to stay in touch with them." I stood there blinking. I didn't think he listened to what I said the day before. Yes, I thought wrong. It was obvious I didn't listen to him.
I showed up at the courthouse for three days, checked in each day, was asked if I brought my phone (each time I said I did not), read my book and was home by 12:00pm. I wasn't called for a case and that was fine with me. I did as I had been instructed to do and all went well. I think it was within a week of completing jury duty that I received a check in the mail for my services. All in all the experience was a good one.
...and I got mileage!
