Jury Duty: The Great Equalizer

Jury Duty has always been one of my favorite experiences. It is easy to forget how privileged we are in this county as a free and democratic society, especially as we go about the business of day-to-day life; and jury duty is a reminder of the equality and protection that are valued so highly in our laws and Constitution. Regardless of the criminal charges brought against the accused in a court of law, the accused is entitled to certain rights of due process, which serve to protect him/her and to ensure equality under the law.

Today as I sat in the courtroom as the jury selection process began for my biennial jury service (actually a hardship selection process due to the unusual length of the upcoming trial), I was taken by the synergy of diversity and equality in the courtroom. In the courtroom there were people from all walks of life, all ethnicities, all professions, and all statuses. Each of the individuals being selected for the jury is viewed equally under the eyes of the law, which forms the fabric of our society. Each potential juror seeking to be excused from jury service for hardship pleaded his/her case before the judge who then granted or withheld the excuse of each juror as was fitting.

Two thoughts occurred to me as I observed this process (and having served on an actual jury previously). First, I was reminded of the openness of potential one has in life to guide his/her own path. Each of the potential jurors had a unique story to tell about why they could not serve, which was a reminder to me that in a country such as ours we have radical freedom to choose our own professions and destinies. This made my inner existentialist quite happy and was a reminder that one can always, literally, pick up and change professions or goals as one sees herself fit.