Greetings, Dear Siestas!
I’m writing you from the jury assembly room of Harris County in Downtown Houston. I am blessed indeed to have an assistant who told me a few days ago she’d be happy to come pick me up and take me. I hope it goes without saying that I would not have asked her. I am fully capable of coming to jury duty by myself but, for a sanguine, it is a whole lot more fun this way. What’s in it for Michelle? Well, for starters, I think she smelled adventure and, to us, adventure is worth inconvenience. Her job is also considerably less lively if I’m not in the office so here we are and we have already gotten tickled enough to pay for the trip. One of the best parts was that she face-booked that she was at jury duty and someone who didn’t know we worked together told her I had jury duty today, too, and we could hook up.
There are several hundred prospective jurors here and, for the first little while, we amused ourselves by playing like this was a dating service and it was our job to match people. For a long time no one said a word (which made matches particularly challenging since I could not discern their personality-types) but now people are beginning to get to know each other because we’re all so nervous that we’re bonding. The atmosphere became more relaxed once we’d all taken the oath. Hawk felt the need to take the oath with us for fear people would think she was protesting by protecting her right not to make any promises. She, like me, is a rule keeper by nature. But not nearly the rule keeper my darling Amanda is. She saw that we were tweeting from in here and tweeted back with, “Are y’all going to get kicked out for tweeting?” It made me so happy. To be fair, I’m sure she was laughing when she asked because she would have known I would have thought it sounded just like her. I let her know that, as of yet, the bailiff had not told us that tweeting was strictly prohibited in the jury assembly room in the State of Texas and to take our tweeting outside.
I did just learn on the loud speaker that we will indeed get kicked out for smoking within 25 feet of the outside door so I’m definitely going to refrain.
Things have drastically improved since my last visit here. They now have free wifi (aptly called “jurywifi”) which is obviously how I’m corresponding with you. They also have a little snack bar where an unfortunate incident took place a moment ago. I excused myself to go to the ladies’ room for the second time and, on my way in there, smelled coffee. GOOD coffee. Like Starbucks coffee. I thought I was having a sensory hallucination until I came out of the restroom and, lo and behold, there was a little table with three coffee canisters. AND YES, with Starbucks, for the love! I leapt to it like a gazelle, pumped out my coffee with a big smile on my willing face. Then I looked up and saw a cash register. I hadn’t brought my purse because I left it with Hawk. All the sudden I was dumb-fuzzled and didn’t know what to do. I’d already poured it. So I jetted off from it like I’d committed a felony and ran back to the assembly room with guilt all over my face. I think I may have also been having a hot flash. Anyway, as far as I know, my cup is still sitting there all by itself under the Starbucks House Blend thermos. Getting cold. I feel robbed of my rights. Hawk suggested she could give me money to go back and pay for it but I am too shamed.
I have never gotten chosen for a jury before. Perhaps you find that surprising. I certainly want to be a good citizen so I’m willing as long as I can still get to Richmond next weekend. Of course, I’d rather study during my work hours and go to my regular job and, goodness knows I want to be with Melissa and Colin who come on Thursday, but I’m certainly here to do my civil duty if asked. (I’m being silly with you but I really do believe in the jury system and certainly would want a good jury should I need one. Should they find out that I poured coffee I did not pay for.) I will get paid $6 today if I serve then it goes to $40 the second day forward.
So, here I am waiting to see if I get chosen. If this is like the softball team in junior high, I’m in for a long wait. Hawk just told me that today is the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote. And ultimately to serve on juries. So this is a great day to wear my big hair proud in this room.
While I’m waiting, have any of you Siestas done jury duty? Anything interesting happen? Any interesting cases? You know, I originally wanted to be a lawyer so I find all of this interesting anyway. So, do tell, Siestas.
PS. Hawk just went to get me some coffee. I’m so happy that I’m going to give her the $6 I make today.
PSS. She just got back with my cup of coffee and, yes, she said my previous cup was still there. Right under the House Blend.She poured me a new one though. It just hit me that my fingerprints are still on the other one.
Here is me writing to you:
And here is me saying what’s really important on this Wednesday: The Lord on high is mighty. He is for us and not against us. And, though He is lofty, He looks upon the humble and contrite heart with favor. Thank You, Lord, for a community where we can be serious and silly and maybe all on the same day.
PSSS. They just released all Bible teachers with big blond hair! Headed back to LPM but keep those jury experiences coming!
when they call your name run down like a contestant on the price is right.
Never been selected for a jury but I’ve been called several times. The only funny thing I can tell is that when my momma got called for jury duty when I was just a little girl, she took me with her. I marched up to the judge as he came out of a side room and in a sad little voice asked, “are you going to make my mommy serve on a jury?” She wasn’t picked. 🙂
Yes, Beth, I have been priviledged to be on several juries. One was for federal charges of counterfieting. They hid the money in their Bible:)
Hi Beth,
I have been called for jury twice. Once I wasn’t picked and the other time I got picked but the case never went to trial. I was soooo disapointed. My husband has been called twice while we lived in Japan so he didn’t get to serve. My very outspoken, witty, dramatic 18 yr. old son was called just a few months ago for jury duty. I had to explain to him that the judicial system more than likely would not appreciate his sense of humor. Praise the Lord he wasn’t picked. He told us every little funny detail that went on in his head. I am so glad the Lord kept a safe guard over my son’s mouth. :0)
Oh Beth, I don’t think ever, ever have I met a more zanier person on planet earth! God’s gift in your writing just tickles me so much. Your funny when you don’t even try. 😉 Love, Allison
I just have to say “ditto” to the sister who replied, “I just love me a good Beth blog”. All of you dear ones, Beth, Melissa and Amanda, make my day! I try not to be addicted but am finding that I can’t end my day without checking the lpm blog site. The comments coming from all around the globe are equally as uplifting and entertaining! Isn’t our great God loving and gracious to give us this community? Here I am in the mountains of Virginia for the summer, missing my church in Florida but loving the climate here, needing a “Beth Bible Study fix”, and being blessed by this technology that brings us such joy! Who would have thought? I’m 66 (a “young” 66 mind you) so this still overwhelms me! Thank you Beth for helping God’s Word come alive for me! We are not far from Richmond but I didn’t get tickets early enough to go this weekend. Had the joy of attending a simulcast back in the spring.
Your humble heart and joyful spirit makes me want to be a better person.
Thank you. Thank you, God, for giving us Beth Moore and her special girls.
One time, years ago, when I worked in a grocery store. I was the bookkeeper. My office was upstairs and there were one-way windows in my office. Well, I happened to see a man shop lifting. I told my supervisor, the police were called and the man was taken to jail. A few days later I had to go to court just in case they needed my testimony of what I saw. Man, was I a nervous wreck. My supervisor drove me to the court house. He said, “Don’t worry you will not have to do anything. The judge will read the charges, the guy will plead guilty and then he will be fined. After that, we will go back to work.” That is not exactly what happened. When our case came up, the judge called my name and said, “You have been charged with shop lifting at the local grocery store. How do you plead? My reply, “Innocent! I am the witness.” The whole courtroom burst out laughing. (I felt as if I were in Mayberry) When the accused was called, the judge read the charges. His response to the judge was, “I don’t even remember being in the grocery store that day.” The judge said, “We have a witness. Do we need to call them?” Yes, call the witness!
It was a day I will never forget. It if funny now. Back then it was a nightmare.
Beth,
You should try federal jury duty! Whole different ball of wax than regular old stuff at the county courthouse. Of course, I work in the justice system, so I’ve been dismissed from three different rounds of jury selection (no defense attorneys want me!).
I’ve never had jury duty before, and, honestly the entire idea scares the dickens out of me. Spending days with a bunch of strangers? Having to know the details of a crime? No thanks! I kinda hope I never get chosen…but if I do, I’m counting on all of you to pray that I survive!
Oh, Miss Beth,
I took one look at the title of this post and it made me smile, and I nearly let out a giggle, too! 🙂
However, I highly doubt that you “got off the jury” due to being a Bible teacher with big blonde hair! 🙂
However, you do have important business to take care of; like helping our Lord Jesus “feed us” through your teaching His Word !
I do not have any jury experiences, for I have never been summoned.
However, I do know that my great-grandmother had a big part in helping us women be granted the “right to vote”, which I think is pretty cool . . .
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer O.
Janesville, Wisconsin
P.s. Would y’all please pray that the Lord would help me find a simulcast location not too far away from where I live for September 18th? For goodness sake, the live event is only 2 hours away from me, for once . . .
Click here to find Simulcast locations near you: http://www.lifeway.com/event/194/
Oh, dear Beth! Thank you so much for the blessing at the end of your post! I had just posted on my blog about what a brat I had been all day and the title was “Humble Pie”. I was feeling terrible, but when I read your reminder about how He feels about the humble and contrite in heart, I was blessed beyond words!
Okay Mama Beth…totally off topic…but I just discovered a very dangerous but wonderful store called Charming Charlie in Tucson. You may have heard of it, because it was founded in Houston six years ago, but if you haven’t you might want to leave your wallet at home. But go for sure! It’s fantastic! An accesory boutique. It’s almost too much. Almost! : )
I was summoned for jury duty yesterday (Thursday) and today. Like a good little citizen, I called the night before and didn’t have to report either day. So. . . my civil duty is finished for this go-round. I’m a little bummed, I’ve never been in a court room before, I was kind of excited to see what happens. Oh well, maybe next time.
I’ve never been chosen either. One time I received a letter saying I might possibly be chosen (not in my town, but in downtown Oklahoma City – YIKES) and I was SO worried because we had a trip to Hawaii planned and I was gonna die if that interfered. I was never called. 🙂
My daughter, however, was a senior in high school and it was one of the busiest weeks of her school year and she was chosen. She was up for homecoming queen and the game was that weekend. (She also started on the basketball team) She lost at least 5 pounds 🙂 which she couldn’t afford to lose.
She had some pretty amusing stories. We wrote a letter to the judge telling about her week & trying to convince him she shouldn’t serve, but he still made her stay. It was a fairly easy case, if I remember correctly. She survived. Don’t you think that’s a little young though? And a high school senior being taken out of school? Oh well, it was a learning experience for sure.
Glad you had a fun time while waiting. I always love hearing about your experiences.
Have a great weekend!
Dear Beth,
Thank you for obeying God and allowing Him to use you to touch others and inspire and minister to us (Me), there are loads of ladies, (and a couple of gents) that are really learning and growing in God, thank you.
I would like to invite you to Harare, Zimbabwe to come and do a conference here. Please pray about it (if you make it here you’ll love it)
If you would like to find out more about coming here please can you contact me.(I am sure my e-mail address comes up on you side somewhere….)
Always
Wendi Brooking
Harare
Zimbabwe
Soooo ready for Richmond with some blond-headed Bible teachers!!! I’m bringing some super fantastic girls. It’s gonna be epic. In the name of Jesus and all to His Glory!
Never had jury duty. I can’t decide if I’d like it or not. Unless it was a really short case, they’d probably excuse me because I’m so fidgity and would distract everyone. Ah well. Maybe we’ll hear more about it in Richmond next week!
HA!!!!!!! This is hilarious. I’ve never served on Jury duty, but it’s only been six years since I could vote, and two years since I began to vote. (I think that is how you get pulled for Jury duty, isn’t it? Who knows? It’s what I’m saying, though.)
I love all of my fellow siestas! Y’all are ridiculously fun!
I have been on jury duty once in NC – about 13 yrs ago. I was picked for a case on “domestic divorce pre-nup goes bad….” It was actually rather silly in my opinion that we were even serving on a case like this and I think the ex’s finally figured that they were not shedding good light on themselves and they settled out of court. The husband in the case then sent restaurant gift cards to all of the jurors thanking us for our time and apologizing for any inconvience the whole ordeal caused us. I was rather startled at that one….like why did he have access to my address?? Nothing is secret or sacred anymore apparently!! Anyway- it was an interesting experience and I picked up some new Mary Kay clients from the jury so I guess it had some advantages. And yes, I did use the gift card! 🙂
No jury duty experience, but it looks like you make the most of everything. Love your blog!
First of all I just smile when I read blogs and posts on the blogs. I’ve served on a jury 3 different times, each of them very different. One was a criminal case, a guy had jumped bail and this was his 3rd felony offense, the next was a municipal court case-trying to get out of a ticket for a rolling stop, and the 3rd was civil case-the most unpleasant of the three. On the civil case, I thought they should have been able to work out something without going to court, but not the case(no pun intended!). It’s actually unusual that I got chosen for any of them because I’m an accountant and usually we don’t get picked for jury duty-too many rule followers in the group! I must look sympathetic. I definitely don’t mind serving and would want to know that if I were ever in a position to need a jury, that the jurors were people who wanted to be there and see justice served.
Yes, I served on a jury in our district a few years ago. I worked in the school district at the time and of course it fell on Spring Break. I did get to serve. The trial lasted 3 days. The offense was hauling a huge amount of marijauna in a secret compartment in a semi trailer and the driver was claiming he had no idea it was there. He thought the truck was empty:) His alibi was that he had asked for his mother’s blessing before he left on that trip and if he had been doing anything wrong would not have done that. His poor mama, who was a key witness claiming that yes indeed he had asked for her blessing. When we began deliberating one of the dear ladies on the jury claimed that she could not vote guilty because they had not done things like they did on ‘Law and Order’:) It was definitely an interesting and educational experience. I would like to let you know that I have been listening to the Believing God CDs this week. I have done the study 3 times in the past but God has used it this week to reinforce the call he has on my life. I’m selling the educational supply store I own upon His direction and stepping out to whatever he has in store for me next. A big part of which is working with our church to truly reach out to our community. God is sooo good to speak to me in so many ways. Thank you for being obedient to His call on your life. Luv ya
Oh sweet Beth-
Yes I did serve on a jury about five years ago, and the only thing that still stands out to me about it was that I had to miss my daughters lady bug program at school…the first and only time she had no one at her school program!!! 🙂
Love you,
Andrea
A few years back, I was called for jury duty for the first time. The case was a first degree murder trial in another county 200 miles from my home, and the jury would have to travel and be sequestered in that county. I was the last person selected for the jury, and at 8:30 the next morning, we all boarded a bus with our bags packed with a week’s worth of clothing. I had never so much as set foot in a courtroom before, so I really felt as if I had been thrown in the deep end.
We were told later that, because of the details of the case, there were many law enforcement agencies around the country watching the outcome of the case, because they could use it as precedent in other similar cases.
There was a lot about the case that really made me sad – the young lady on trial (she was only 20) was a drug addict, and her mother had given her a “gift” of a rock of cocaine for her birthday. While she was still high, she stole a car and drove it down the interstate at 100-plus MPH. She struck and killed two police officers who were trying to stop her before she got to the city, where there was heavy traffic.
I can’t speak for the other jurors, but I really felt the weight of the responsibility of deciding the fate of this young woman – thankfully, the state was not asking for the death penalty. The world that she lived in was so foreign from what I knew, and I tried to imagine what it must be like – for the main focus of your existence to be your next fix.
Anyway, I’m glad to have had the privilege to serve, but I really hope I never have to do it again, especially not for any case like that.
Beth, I am laughing so hard I can hardly stand it. I am picturing you “jetting away” from the coffee and I can see the look on your face trying not to look guilty. I do think you are the funniest person I have ever met!! Very spiritually funny of course… I just got back from my father in law’s funeral and I spoke when they did the military honor’s at Ft Leavenworth Cemetery. He was 79. He was a Lt Colonel in the Air Force. I thought of your dad too. I bet they are talking in heaven!!!
I have been called for jury duty probably 8 or 10 times…and I’m in my 30’s. I guess they’ve got my number, so to speak! Who are these people who have never even had to venture downtown for their $6 and lunch on the town. I’d like to know their secret. haha
I’ve been on a jury twice.
My first case was a DUI case. It was all very interesting and I loved seeing how real cases work, etc. And, for me, it was satisfying when he was found guilty.
My second jury was a prostitution case. It did not hold any glamor and I left feeling, quite literally, sick.
To my dismay, I have never been called. But, my husband has been called 4 times since we were married in 2000. He was actually chosen the fourth time. It was a 3 week service on Grand Jury. He was able to increase 2 cases from misdemeanors to felonies. The first one was a person selling drugs within 1000 feet of a school. He brought this up the the D.A. and immediately it went to a felony. The second one was a fast food robbery of money by grabbing the cashier and pulling her out the window, which takes it to an attempted kidnapping charge.
Thanks for sharing your story! It made me laugh today:)
I served on a civil jury once. I was rather conservative one over the amount of money that was ggiven to the plantiff. After we signed the paperwork one lady came up to me. She wanted to know my name, because if she ever sued anyone, I was not going to be on her jury.
After that trial, I have struggled to get on a jury. It does not help that I know most of the participants in the courtroom. I can call the ADAs by their first name and I have played 42 with them. The judges know I won’t get picked since I have served as their bailiffs. All in the interest of justice.
I just had jury duty a couple of weeks ago. I was selected and was a juror on a 2 day DUI trial. (And might I add that you Texans make better money than we do on serving jury duty 🙂 I guess everything is bigger in Texas, even the government issued checks!)
The trial was pretty clear and to the point, the evidence was a dash board cam on a police car with a man swerving and running a red light and then failing the sobriety tests. It was sad, luckily we all found him guilty, because soon after our verdict was given, the judge came back into the deliberation room and let us all know that this was his 5th conviction. WOW! Some people never learn. I did feel bad for this guy, it’s hard to convict someone, knowing they may serve time away from possibly children, parents, spouses, etc.. I prayed for that mans salvation and for his sobering up. I have a heart for the lost as we all should as brothers and sisters in Christ. I was so excited when I first got there too, I so thought I was on an adventure! LOL! Funny how we all think it’s going to be CSI style. 🙂 Not anywhere close, but still felt somewhat like I had done my job. I even prayed before the trial and the deliberation that God would lead my heart and my decision to be His will, not my own. I prayed that He wouldn’t allow my heart to settle for anything less than justice. And I truly believed He answered that prayer. Never once did my heart think I was wrong for choosing guilty. One good thing about my jury duty is that I don’t have to serve for atleast 2 years now! Yay!
God is so great! Love you siestas!
Just came back from Richmond, dropping two children off at University of Richmond. Praying that my daughter ends up loving college and that my son does well in his senior year. I have another one up in Rochester at RIT. Sigh, wish I could go back to hear you teach, but it is not possible. I haven’t been called to jury duty in a long time, not so sorry about that. I love your adventures. Our most exciting one this week was driving in caravan with our son so he could get his car to college, last 50 miles his brakes were a bit weak – sure increases one’s prayer life.
I can’t believe I am able to read my favorite Bible teacher’s blog! This is the first time I’ve found it. I just finished So, Long Insecurity. I loved the book and was so blessed by it, especially the last few chapters.
I love you Beth and feel as though I know you personally.
Blessings!
Ruthie
Man am I glad that the blond haired bible teachers were released because I live in RICHMOND and I am SOOOO looking forward to your visit, Beth. I about had a hissy fit when I read that your jury responsibilities may prevent your appearance here. Now…..you just COME ON UP here! Can’t wait.
Oh my Beth,
I was recently down at the court house for jury duty they did not choose me either. Wish I had been there when you were, could have had some great fellowship.
One thing I thought was very interesting during the voir Dire, so many soon to be jurors where admiting criminal acts, I am not talking speeding, like felonies and how the DA’s office had been un fair to them.
I too wanted to be a lawyer however I chose speech pathology and married a lawyer instead. It has worked out well. My Lawyer husband could not wait for me to come home and tell him the interesting stories I had. However I think he found me to be quit a disappointment, especially since I did not get choosen. I was the #1 juor and I think I was a little too conservative for the defense side. To protect the innocent(i do not think he was innocent) I will not dicuss the type of case it was, but he had lots of chances, I knew he was not innocent.
have a great week,
Heidi
Actually, the first time I called for jury duty it was for a Federal Grand Jury! I was thinking I might not have to serve since I was engaged to a retired homicide detective – but I was picked anyway. Federal Grand Jury here is a six month assignment – you go for two days in a row once a month for 6 months and hear all kinds of cases. The only time I got excused was when I got married and was away for my honeymoon. It was definitely an interesting experience – we heard lots of “guns and drugs”, but also some long running fraud and corruption cases. Some of the “big” cases we heard didn’t go to trial for months or even years later – it was weird reading about them in the newspaper, knowing you had something to do with them going to trial. The really funny thing was I was called for “regular” jury duty while I was still on a Federal Grand Jury! They did let me pass on that one.
On a separate note, been traveling through Houston airport on my way from FL to CA pretty regularly for the last 5 months and I frequently pray for you while walking the terminals to my connecting flight. Generally with a Starbucks in hand. 🙂
I have never been called for jury duty but would love to have the opportunity!
I read this post aloud to my husband…who finds you as entertaining as I do. 🙂 He would like to know if it is ok for a guy to be a fan of yours. I assured him that he doesn’t need to turn in his man card.
I’ll see you this weekend in Richmond.
I’ll be the one wearing the glorious pink boa.
Much love,
Anne
Glad you enjoyed your experience!! My jury duty day was memorable and odd to say the least. At the time, I lived in Cook County and was sent to the Daily Center in Chicago. Anyway, after waiting half the morning my group was called up and the attourneys started questioning us individually. It turned out that the defendent was actually my former hs teacher!!! I said “yes” to the question, do you know this person? I was pulled out of the courtroom with the baliff, attourneys and judge and I had to swear on the bible that I was telling the truth and if there was anything else I knew about the case. (of which I knew not a thing). The judge explained that this is called a “sidebar” and rarely happens. Needless to say, I was excused from participating any further and didn’t find out what happened in the case with my former teacher. Crazy, out of all the people in Cook county to have been called on that day, into that courtroom! Seriously, what were the chances of that happening??? (guess what class that teacher taught was – probability & statistics, ha!)
Your adventures in jury duty cracks me up!
Just googled your site…I am going to be the facilitator for your revelation study at my church. Just checking to see what light homework was…Kept on scrolling and saw your post on jury duty. A few year ago I had jury duty…I had to be on call for 6 months. I got to serve on 2 trials. One that totally changed my life…rape and sexual assault of a child. After viewing over 1000 pornographic images in open court I prayed that God would erase them from my memory. More importantly I prayed that the young victim would recover. After a mistrial I wrote the judge. I am glad to say that the court made some changes that will hopefully keep a mistrial for those particular reasons from happening again. Plus I was put in touch with the prosecutors office and allowed to tell my side of being a juror in a trial like that. They later called to tell me that justice was served in the retrial…our God is a god of justice and mercy. Thank you for taking your civic duty so seriously…I could have used a sister like you during my time in the jury deliberation room….2 females and 10 males on the jury. Have a great day…praying for you!
To my favorite big haired bible teacher:
I’ve only served on the jury once, but what an experience. After the courtroom was absolutely full of would be jurors, we were weeded out – who knows for what reason. Anyways, I was chosen, and the adventure begins. As testimony was presented, I remember thinking – “Wow, this is a slam dunk case!! We’ll be home in a couple of days!” Ha! 2 weeks later, we all finally came to terms – what I thought was a slam dunk case seemed so different from other people’s perspective. How different we all are – and I’m sure my christian values came into play during that trial!!
Anyways, I ended up getting sick with some sort of respiratory virus – I would cough and hack in the courtroom so they had to give breaks because of it!! I made myself go or it would have been a mistrial or a redo. Before it was all over, I had generously shared my virus with the attorneys, jurors, and yes – even the judge!! To hear us in the courtroom sounded like an epidemic in the waiting room at the hospital with all of us coughing or sneezing… 😀 Went through a truckload of kleenex!! Needlesstosay, I know everyone was glad that court trial was OVER!!
Beth,
I have served on a jury once. It was a civil case where a mother’s son was killed in motorcycle accident. She was suing the driver of the car that hit him. While the jury felt sorry for the mother it was plain to see that it was the driver’s (of the car) fault.
I took my responsibility as juror very seriously afraid of making the wrong decision. The LORD kept this verse in front of me the entire time and became my motto during that time and to this day.
“He has shown you, O man what is good, And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you God?” Micah 6:8
I have been called, yet never selected to serve on a jury. I almost always se someone I know in the jury pool. there was one time when I didn’t know one single person…just a room full of complete strangers. During our lunch break a gentleman from the jury room ended up at the same sandwich shop where I was. I was a bit guarded as we started talking. He was very kind and insisted on buying my lunch. He asked me what line of work my husband was in. I told him and then shared that his company was experiencing major layoffs. Just so happened (or did it) that he was in the same field and was looking to hire! He gave me his contact information and within a month, became my husband’s new boss. I’ve been summoned again for September. I wonder who I’ll meet this time?
I homeschool my 3 kids… I got summoned for jury duty. My husband works 100 plus hours per week, so I have no one to help with them. I told them I was willing to come, glad to serve, but would have all three kids with me. I was excused.
I am proud of you for doing your public duty to serve on jury duty, but I’m really, really happy you can come to Richmond this weekend!!! We have been looking forward to having you here since you were last here a few years ago!!! Safe travels and God bless!!!
Beth you are just too funny!! I needed this break and this laugh today. Thanks!!
Believing Him~Pamela
Your post actually brings back good memories of when I served on jury duty for a week long trial. it was a slow moving trial, most days we were released mid afternoon, so the hours were not bad. but the best part was becoming like family with the other jurors serving. we spent so much time together in the same situation that we grew to really bond! it’s so much fun to meet new people and strangers to become friends. we ended up having a good time. It was just about 2 years ago and i still think about them!
i was called to Be juror on the Lyle and Eric Mendez murder trial in Los Angeles many years ago. they murdered there parents i was excused thank goodness it was scary those boys made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.
My husband is the po po. I may never really be picked to be on a jury because I’m partial to his line of work. Glad the coffee worked out for you. Starbucks regular coffee is way too strong. I go for the white choc mocha. 😉
I had a very interesting jury experience last time I went it was very insightful, and a bit painful. I quickly realized that there were two fellow church members joining me in the selection process. The case somehow involved the treatment of a woman, so they asked the twelve who were picked first, how many of them would have a problem being fair in a case like that. Several women raised their hands, including one of my friends. They then queried each one, personally, and publicly as to why they would have difficulty. Because of continuous pressing questions, my poor friend had to declare the past abuse that had happened to her in front of a courtroom of strangers – and friends who did not yet know about her past. She fled the courtroom in tears as soon as they released her. My heart was just sick. I didn’t end up serving on the jury either, since my brother was a local law enforcement officer, but guess who I hung out with and prayed with at our women’s retreat a few weeks later?
As you can see I’m behind on emails! Yes, I have served on a jury for a capital murder case. In my small, southeast Alabama town the defendent walked down the stairs with us and walked with us as we got into our cars every night. It was quite an experience. As we found him guilty my lawyer friend told me no defense lawyer would ever let me serve on a jury again. Thank you Lord, I’ll take the punishment.
I was summoned and expected to be released, as I am a teacher. But I was seated as an alternate for a less than exciting trial involving a deck that collapsed because it wasn’t built to code.
At least they released me at lunch and I got to spend the rest of my day shopping!
I’m with you, thankful for the right to vote! And happy to be exercising my civic responsibilites.