STICKING IT OUT:
I’ve been missing in action much of the week because I’ve been stuck on jury duty. Yes I know it’s my civic duty to serve, but I really do feel stuck because for the past week I’ve been forced to trade my TV life for a new role as Juror #11 in Sacramento County Superior Court. So instead of covering sharks at the Capitol, I’m watching piranhas in pinstripes at the courthouse. You know, lawyers in love – with themselves. And they do love to hear themselves talk.
The case I’m on is a juicy one that shows the seamy side of American life with sordid details that would make even a sailor blush. I’d love to tell you all about it, but the judge has sworn us to secrecy.
THE WAITING GAME:
What I can tell you is how much waiting around there is at the courthouse. The trial is supposed to start at 9am every day , but typically the doors don’t open until 9:15 or even 9:30. Then there’s a 15 minute recess at 10:30, followed by a lunch break at 11:45 that lasts until 1:30pm. Really! I mean how many working people do you know who get nearly two hours for lunch every day? In news, I usually work through lunch to make sure my story is written, edited and on the satellite feed each day by 4pm. Sometimes, I’ll wolf down a sandwich in the live van on the way to a story, if I’m lucky. I miss the adrenaline rush of news deadlines. In court, the tortoise pace is driving me nuts. It’s like watching paint dry, only slower.
GIVE ME A BREAK
Ok so now we’re back in court for the 1:30 afternoon session that doesn’t really start until 1:45. And then there’s a 15 minute recess at 2:30. And when you come back from that, it’s nearly time to call it a day because at 4:30 it’s over. In news, that’s when my day is heating up with a live shot or two, but in court, it’s time to head home. That means as jurors, we’re actually hearing the case less than 5 hours a day Monday – Thursday. And don’t get me started about Fridays because in court they are oh so special.
TGI FRIDAYS:
You see on Fridays, the courtrooms are typically “dark”, meaning the court takes care of internal matters. As jurors, we can actually head to the office and get some work done on Fridays, but the case we’re hearing is stuck in limbo for another wasted day. Think about it…jurors are actually “on” for just 20 hours in a typical 40 hour work week. How many private companies could survive with their employees working only half-time? Most would be out of business in a hurry.
All I’m saying is let’s streamline the system….cut out half the breaks so it doesn’t take ten days to hear a case that should really take just six or seven. Lady Justice is supposed to be blind. But she’s also limping with a leg cramp. I say it’s time to kick it in gear girl and put some petal to the medal. Let’s put things on the fast track in court…who knows, maybe more people would jump at the opportunity to serve instead of dreaming up reasons to get excused. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
