Master Edge's Portal

We don’t get much snow in Georgia. But when we do, my kids pay dearly.

Me and my two children played till our hands hurt. We all had a blast. Notice the mid-air snowball my son threw at me as one exploded on the side of his head. After an hour of warming up, we went back out for some sledding. In the below photo, they’re riding a clothes basket down the hill in our front yard.

Tuesday, I reported as per instructions. The case for the day was delayed. A last minute decision by the defendant resulted in the case being settled out of court. The jury panel was dismissed and told to call back after 6:00pm for instructions for Wednesday.

Wednesday, I reported as per instructions. At 9:30 we went into the courtroom. The case was production and distribution of methamphetamines. The district attorney asked the jury panel voir dire questions. I was honest and forthcoming with my past relationship with the brother of the defendant. I worked with him for several years, considered him a friend, never met him outside of work, and believed that it would not influence my decisions concerning the case for which his brother was accused. Needless to say, I was not selected for this jury panel.

It is very important to be honest during the voir dire examinations (Page 4). Even if I do not think I harbor prejudice or bias, the information should be made available for the plaintiff’s and defendant’s lawyers. This lets them challenge the juror to validate impartiality.

We were told to call in at 6:00pm today for instructions for Thursday. I did so, and the recording dismissed all jurors that were sequestered this week. As it turns out, I was unneeded as a juror for this cession of the judicial circuit.

Did I do my civic duty? I believe so. I showed up and was completely honest. There was nothing more I could do for our country at the time. Perhaps next year, I can serve my community again in the protection of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness by discharging my duty as an impartial juror.

I have been called for jury duty this week. It is an important obligation for civilians who take justice seriously. I’m not excited about it, as this isn’t my first time. But, I recognize the the vital function a jury serves. Out of interest, I googled it. The first search result was a wikiHow article on “How to Get Out of Jury Duty“. This is disconcerting because people have paid with their lives to afford us the right to a trial by jury. Without that, nothing would stand in the way of tyranny.

A useful article, trialhandbook.pdf, can be found at a government site.

The summons directed me to call today for instructions. My Juror number positioned me into waiting status until tomorrow. I will not be able to discuss it, at all, until the process is over and the judge clears everyone to discuss it.

I can only hope, that if ever accused of committing a crime, there are people on the Jury that take their civic responsibilities as solemnly, honestly, and fairly as I will do for them.