"Jury of your peers"...

I have just been freed from our local judicial system. I guess I'd better make it clear that I am not a criminal. Officially, I was Juror #3

I really found the whole experience of Jury Duty quite interesting. Never having been selected to appear before meant that I had no preconceived ideas of what to expect. I was one of 26 individuals that were summoned to report to the District Court as a member of the "jury pool". As we were gathered together, waiting for the selection process to start, I entertained myself by listening to the conversations that surrounded me. I quickly realized that the main focus of my fellow "pool" members was, how to keep from being selected!? Apparently, the more elaborate the excuse the better and believe me, some were quite imaginative!! At the end of the questioning period by the Judge as well as the Attorneys from both sides of the aisle, it was obvious that they had heard them all before! I tried to keep a straight face, I wanted to appear as though I was taking all of this as seriously as the proceedings warranted... unfortunately, a chuckle or two did find their way out! I quickly pulled myself together as I heard my name being called and managed to articulate my willingness to serve. Soon after, I officially became Juror #3 of 7 and everyone else was released from serving further. There was a mass exodus from the courtroom, smiling faces all around, they were successfully rejected! I can't help but think that there's something wrong with this picture. Being selected should be the prize, wasn't this what we've been taught throughout our lives! Those of us that became the Jury were taken into the jury room while the court was being prepared to start the trail. At this time we were permitted to use our cell phones and almost everyone had someone to notify that they wouldn't be home or at work for the day. I couldn't help but overhear conversations of disappointment and irritation at being selected to be part of this trial. I wondered how many of them really felt that way or simply made those comments to their family & employers to cover up that they secretly were glad. Could I possibly be the only person that really wanted to be there, the only person that wanted to do what was needed so that those with legitimate reasons could be excused? As the trial proceeded, the other jurors did what was required of them and in the end, Justice was served. As I left the building and walked outside to find my car, I soon reminded myself of my own intentions and my own desire to serve. I was proud to have been Juror #3... lucky me, I was picked!!