Jury Duty

Last August I received my first letter for jury duty. I was nervous, excited, and bored as I sat in the cold, but crowded room. I crossed my legs and prepared to read my book for book club - it was The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks which I had previously read in high school. In between reading a paragraph or two, I began to people watch. Some looked impatient, rolling their sleeves up to glance at their watches. Some looked annoyed, arms folded, lips curled down in a frown. Some, like me, looked a little relieved to be taking a small break from work. There were nurses, men with briefcases, college boys with disheveled hair and half-tucked shirts, even a woman with her children... I guess she wanted to plea to the judge that she had no time to be on a jury.

Thirty five minutes after "start" time, the sheriff, a judge, and multiple clerks of court marched into the room. The judge announced that he would listen to all of those who had a legitimate reason not to be on the jury. About a third of the room lined up against the wall. I sighed and reopened my book. No one's excuse is good enough for this judge and they all sit back down.

"You are here," boomed the judge, "because you were choosen in the pool for Grand Jury. Twelve of you, along with two alternates, will have your names pulled out of the box. You will serve on the Lafayette Parish Grand Jury for six months. Sheriff..."

Sheriff Neustrom stepped up to the box. I prayed to God. I prayed that if I was needed I would be chosen and would be open-minded to the case. "Ralph Fine..." "Jaime Kincel..." Whoa! That's me. I make my way to the front of the room and sit in the second chair. And wait. After all fourteen names have been read, we are told that we will attend one Grand Jury session a month for six months. We will receive a letter in the mail detailing our (next) meeting date. Dismissed.

Well, it's been 5 months now. And it has been an experience. The Grand Jury, for those of you who don't know, hears all cases of rape and murder (among other things) before they go to trial. We determine if there is enough evidence to go to trial - not guilt or innocence. We hear from the detectives on the case, some victims, some witnesses. We have the power to subpoena. Overall, it has been a wonderful experience. Many of the cases we hear are cruel and heartless. You learn a lot about what is "out there" in your own city. You learn a lot about your peers as well. There are some people on the jury whose attitude is "Well... they asked for it." When I hear those comments, I am glad that God has placed me in the room with them to help to make things fairer.

I find that I read more news online as a result of serving on the Grand Jury. I read the two major local news sites as well as CNN. One thing I want to say to everyone is "Innocent until proven guilty!" Many of the stories I read about, are stories that I have heard the details for. If someone is arrest or under suspicion of a crime, please try to stop and realize that they have not gone to trial yet. They are still innocent. Sometimes people are arrested because someone wanted something done for their misfortune or ignorance. I repeat. Innocent until PROVEN guilty!