No. Although I'd have actually preferred a bill to this mysterious white envelope. That letter ruined my weekend. Once again, for the 2nd time in 7 years, I am faced with the possibility of being selected for jury service. Although at least this time, when it happens, I'll know what to expect.
Back in 2006, just one week before our holiday in Krakow, I was cited to the Sheriff Court, which deals with both criminal and civil cases, to present for jury service selection. I remember about 60 people being there, everyone was given a number and the numbers were then randomly called to select the jury members. Mine was the very last number called. Damn.
Having grown up watching "Crown Court" and later being a "Boston Legal" obsessive, not to mention watching all those daily dispatches from the OJ Simpson trial all those years ago, I can tell you that none of those actually resembles a real-life trial. There is no Denny Crane-style showmanship here.
And trial is a good word to describe the jury service experience, as much of it involves being sent out to the jury room and sitting with a group of people whom you would otherwise not normally have selected to spend three days in a closed environment with. Like the 'considerably richer than you' mob for example. I may only be a humble little working-class office worker but on a jury we are all equals. Although here, as in real life, some were inevitably more equal than others and there was very much a class hierarchy in place. I wonder if this happens in all trials or just some? I guess the most forceful personalities always come to the fore.
The trial lasted three days, although with all the stopping and starting it could have been over and done with in half that time. The overwhelming aspect of jury service is.....the boredom. I was desperate to get back to work! If I hadn't been chosen for that jury, the clerk advised that I would have ended up on the jury for another trial starting later in the week, which, he grumpily advised, would have meant that I would have had to cancel my holiday. So maybe it's just as well that I got on the Monday to Wednesday trial eh!
On the plus side, it's a fascinating process to be part of, even though it was very dull and dreary at times. And then, you reach a verdict only for it to be overruled by the Sheriff who subsequently admonished the defendant. So, basically, the whole thing turned out to be a waste of time.
Anyway, that was then, and this is now. I am a different person from my 2006 self, and once I get over the dread and fear of going through it all again, who knows...I might even enjoy the experience!?! So now, the waiting game is on. Hopefully whenever I am called this time, it won't coincide with a holiday!
