This is going to be interesting. Ten minutes into my jury service, I am already annoyed with some of my fellow jurors. There is a lady down the row that has yet to take off her sunglasses (we're in an empty courtroom now). Also, despite having been told to park in specific places, many people still parked in the one place we were told not to.
Further, what is the proper verb to use for the word "orientation"? Oriented? Orientated? It has to be oriented. Orientated is a terrible word.
We've now discussed parking for 10 full minutes. Wow.
Update on sunglasses lady: yep. Still wearing them. We've been here an hour now. Maybe she thinks she is a celebrity.
150 people are now watching a riveting video (VHS!) about jury service on a 19-inch television that is 150 yards from the nearest person. Classy!
Now we're all sitting in the courtroom. Our judge is congenial and easygoing. He has worked with the court system for over 40 years. As luck would have it, the sunglasses lady was initially chosen for this jury pool. She was asked about her eyewear and indicated that she has "extreme light sensitivity" and wears her eyewear at all times. She also agreed to produce a note from her eye doctor if needed. She seems to be enjoying her time in the limelight as she is additionally sporting a boot cast on her left foot and has been quick to discuss it with amyone unfortunate enough to ask her about it. Also lucky, an Hispanic version of Little Richard is sitting in front of me right now. Perhaps he is Poco Riccardo? Oh. Also one of the jurors first identified herself as a nurse and had to go back and re-identify herself as a medical assistant. Naughty girl!
I don't know if anyone has been invited to serve on a jury recently, but the court reporter is speaking into a gas mask-like devise instead of typing. It makes me feel like she knows we're about to get bombed, but we haven't been notified yet. Disconcerting, most definitely.
This really old lady indicated to the judge at the beginning whenhe asked if anyone had any reason they should be excused from service that she has been brought up not to judge anyone based on her religion. The judge regretfully declined her efforts to be relieved of service. She has now been added to the possible jury for this trial. The judge has excused her for this case but is making her stay here for possible selection for other cases.
All and all, an interesting day. I have to call at 11:30 tomorrow to find out when I have to come back.
