this week I got called for jury duty
it was a day-long reminder of our collective dedication to due process
This week, I got called for jury duty. It was a stark reminder of the time and dedication required from each of us to protect democracy and due process.
The effort and energy invested in ensuring due process for this single defendant underscore the high value our society places on a fair and just judicial process. I hope you agree it’s important enough to be worth the work.
I arrived to fulfill my civic duty on a sweltering Tuesday morning at 8 am. The urban neighborhood made parking a pain. Over 150 of us eventually found places to park our cars, most under a blistering sun, and spent the day at the county courthouse.
It was hot, even inside, as temperatures outdoors exceeded 100 degrees. We sat for hours in uncomfortable chairs in the jury assembly room, waiting and wading through each step of the jury selection process. The entire day was serious and structured, respectful of the important process that preserves freedom and the right to be innocent until proven guilty.
So many times throughout the jury selection process, we were reminded that "It is the burden of proof on the Commonwealth to prove guilt. The defendant has no responsibility to speak, defend themselves, or provide any evidence of their innocence. As a juror, you cannot hold this against them."
In no uncertain terms, every person in the United States is innocent until proven guilty, and the plaintiff is entirely responsible for proving that guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The day dragged on. Frustration with the slow pace and lack of clarity about the process grew. Periodically, we were allowed to meander the sterile halls of the courthouse.
Sidebar: If you ever get called for jury duty, bring a book. They don’t always let you use electronic devices.
By mid-afternoon, like in Madeline, in two straight lines1, court employees ushered 120 of us into Courtroom 4 in numerical order. It was a new place to wait, in wooden pews instead of chairs, in the next stage of selection.
Three more hours of juror questioning and strategic contemplation among the attorneys culminated in a selection of twelve jurors and two alternate jurors. They filled all the seats before they got to my number.
I breathed a sigh of relief. Despite my willingness to serve as a juror, I was not excited about it. I gathered my things, collected my certificate of jury service completion, and walked to my car, where the cabin temperature clocked in at 133 degrees.
My day as a prospective juror was long but necessary. It was a poignant reminder that due process requires time, effort, and commitment from all citizens to protect the freedoms we hold so dear.
Perhaps it could be a bit faster or more modernized. It felt tedious at times. But it's essential. Each step moves forward with intention, care, and a commitment to justice.
Countless employees and hundreds of citizens dedicated their entire day to selecting a single jury, a tiny step among many, ensuring due process for a single person. And this is happening in courtrooms across the country every day.
We decided, as a people, that due process was worth this. I think we’re still right. I hope you agree, especially as the moral call to action to protect due process is hitting close to home for all of us.
If you’re questioning the importance of due process, consider why we’ve placed such an emphasis on and devoted so much effort to its preservation for nearly 250 years. Were the founders and our predecessors onto something you might be taking for granted today?
Two decades ago, I got called for jury duty and had far less appreciation for the process. My age likely played a role in that.
But the current chaos and disrespect of fellow humans and for our system of law and order currently on display by the disgusting violations of due process from our federal government puts this slow and somewhat archaic process in greater perspective.
Seeing the care and diligence of the jury selection process for a man accused of aggregated assault and possession of a weapon juxtaposed next to the reckless and indignant treatment of thousands of humans with the “wrong” paperwork peacefully working to make a better life for themselves and their families ought to capture all of our hearts.
Due process might be slow and sometimes tedious. It’s a high price to pay for a standard of care and justice, and it’s worth the cost.
The man accused of aggravated assault deserves due process. So does the woman working two jobs for crappy pay to put food on the table, even if she risked her life to cross an artificial border. So do you. So do I. So does everyone.
Due process isn’t just for criminals or immigrants. Due process is especially important for those who are innocent. I took a deeper dive into why people in my community should care about due process, and the same logic applies to you. You cannot prove your citizenship or your innocence without due process.
America’s Government Teacher,
, lays out the stakes succinctly below.
Let jury service be a reminder to us all that democracy and justice take work. From me. From you. From all of us. It's a collective effort to which we all contribute, and I hope you believe it’s worth fighting for.
This is an affiliate link for this book, which I loved as a child. 💛