As I sit here in this comfortable lounge in the Juror Assembly Room (which is actually a suite of almost a dozen different rooms) - air condition, televisions, plush chairs, business amenities, wireless availability, and a snack room - I wonder how different it must have been for potential jurors 50 years ago; even just 25 years ago when I was in high school. In one part of our introduction this morning, it was cited that a juror survey was taken about 4-5 years ago to help the court system better make this a "pleasant" experience for those of us called in to serve.
In my opinion, IF you are even just a decent American, you would be grateful to be able to give back - certainly not to a system that is without its faults, but to a system that is foundational to who we are as a nation. For me, the adventurer at heart, I am thrilled to be able to come inside this sacred assembly room - that, from where I'm sitting, looks more like a hotel lobby with breakfast bar. I am hoping that I will be chosen to sit on a jury and become part of the process that makes our judicial system like none other in the world.
However, fifty years ago, perhaps there was no air conditioning in the high ceiling, formal rooms that would have held potential jurors. There was no television broadcasting "The Golden Girls" or a hand-picked movie (but absolutely NO news of any kind). How exciting to think that I am actually living out a process of justice and balance in my spectacular state.
So stay tune for the continual episode of "Kim in the Jury Room"
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