Just Call Me Juror #22

In the mailbox...a jury summons. My first one ever.

Today I arrived at 8:45 for my first day of Jury Duty. Sat in Courtroom #3 with 48 other registered voters on Kent Municipal Court's "list." Filled out the paperwork. Explained that I'm scheduled to be out of town for the Washington Education Association's Rep Assembly from Wednesday to Sunday. The clerk told me that unless I had a health reason, I was committed to this.

I said that the thought of having jury duty for a whole week and missing out on RA made me want to vomit. Is that enough of a health concern?

(Ok, so I just thought that in my head.)

I waited. On a hard bench.

They told us we would probably hear something by 10:30.

By 11:00, the unlikely prophecy came true. The clerk drew eighteen numbers. The clerk called #22. Stood up as I was asked to. Followed the clerk into Courtroom #1.

Waited. On a different hard bench.

A new clerk arrived. Told us to go sit on the other side of the courtroom. We shuffled over silently. The judge came in and our numbers were drawn once again and we sat in a new order.

I was #8 called.

The attorneys asked us questions. Out of the six-person jury, two jurors were asked to leave. Guess who got seat #5?

That's right! Juror #22!

They told us we could go have lunch. But to be back by 1:45 so we could get started.

I used my lunch hour driving around like a madwoman, dropping off materials that would be needed for tonight's class in the event that this trial went beyond 5:00.

Arrived back to Courtroom #2 (moved yet again) to find the jurors waiting in the jury room.

Waited. In chairs that squeaked.

For 35 minutes.

Finally we were called out. Sat in the jury box. The judge thanked us. Said the parties had settled the case during the break and we wouldn't be needed.

And to call again tomorrow by 9:00.