The notice for jury duty brings widely differing reactions; some vigorously try to avoid it, others think of jury duty as a small price to pay for freedom and a system of justice. Citizens who serve the duty learn the legal system literally from the inside. For veteran journalist, author, and Z107.7 reporter David Haldane, his jury duty was a cause for reflection…
For me, the moment of truth came when a young man cried. Moments before he’d seemed confident, even cocky. Now, as a court assistant read the verdict that could send him to prison, his shoulders slumped.
From the jury box where I sat, the mood was somber. There was no doubt that our verdict was correct; the evidence clearly showed that he’d squatted on private property, committed assault with a deadly weapon and possessed stolen goods. It had taken us 30 minutes to decide, with time left over to laugh. But now the man was crying and a bolt of reality struck my heart. Because of our decision, his life would change forever.
I don’t feel bad about that, but I do feel humbled. Serving on a jury wasn’t easy; it ate up days of my time requiring meticulous planning. In the end, though, it enriched my life by strumming some of the most deeply resonant chords of our human understanding. Ultimately, I hope, it made me a better person.
A PERSONAL LOOK AT JURY DUTY
