How I Earned $40

Bryce and I traded places today. He: At home with the kids. Me: At the federal courthouse by 7:30 a.m.

You may call me Potential Juror #137. (PJ for short.)

It is a local high-profile case that will last at least 10 business days. So you can imagine that I was not keen to be chosen, due to the length of required service. However, I wasn't even given the opportunity to use my awesome excuses (child care issues, dh in the building), and I was a little miffed. I mean, I at least wanted a turn at the mike to politely wriggle out of service, get out the door and onto some free time (possible activities: temple session, hair salon, shopping. Preferrably all three). But only 34 people were chosen to be interrogated. As it turned out, I just sat and watched and listened to the other PJs answering questions. For. A. Very. Long. Time.

The good thing was having a lunch break with Betsy and Judge Dawson (not the judge on the case) while the rest of the common folk scavenged for lunch at various local restaurants. I just buzzed myself through the security doors of the judge's chambers with Bryce's ID. (Is it wrong to admit that I liked barging in like I knew what I was doing?) I had a very enjoyable chat with Bryce's co-workers over Quizno's subs and Doritos. Betsy (my cousin-in-law!) is such a cool person. Did you know this was the first time we'd met?

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The reject jurors were dismissed around 3:00 p.m. Seriously, I started to fall asleep during the pre-emptory challenge section. Not even my book (read surreptiously, of course) could keep me from nodding off. Luckily it was just the eyes closed, slight head-bobbing sort of snooze and not the snorting, falling-into-your-neighbor's-lap kind. I don't think the grizzly, tattooed gentlemen next to me would've appreciated that.

Though I wasn't chosen this time, I still say hooray for the wheels of justice.