It’s time to re-examine our attitude on jury duty

Published 4:27 pm Thursday, February 1, 2018

I received a jury summons. I showed up with about 40 other people on Monday morning.  I was glad to do my civic duty.  I was dismayed to find how many people in the jury pool did not share my viewpoint.

One woman sitting near me complained about the inconvenience this was causing her.  She made up an excuse that her mother was in a wheel chair, to get out of serving.

A man behind me complained about how busy his sports activity schedule was and that he was hosting a luncheon with caterers and he simply didn’t have time for this. 

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Another woman said that she recognized many of the defendants and that they were “low-lives”.

A fourth person complained about having to rearrange his haircut.

The jury was seated and the rest of us were dismissed.

As I was walking to my car a woman caught up with me and said, “Well, at least we didn’t have to do anything.”  I couldn’t help myself. I said, “You know, it was an honor to be called. There are people in other parts of the world that would die for this opportunity.”  She gave a brief laugh and got into her car.

I wish I could express how disturbed I was by all of this.  What is wrong with us?  We live in a country based on the rule of law.  We have a court system based on public trials with impartial juries.  We live in a country where individuals matter. These are protected rights under our Constitution.  Shouldn’t we be honored to have the opportunity to be directly involved in this process? 

Self-serving, self-centered, and self-engrossed people, too busy to serve, or when chosen, do it begrudgingly.  That’s what I observed around me. How would you like to be the defendant with these people deciding your case? If you were on trial, would you want a jury of people that couldn’t come up with a good excuse, or people proud to do their civic duty?

A friend of mine responded to my dismay this way: “When my father was murdered in 1995, my sisters and I had the privilege of sitting in on the jury selection. We were so thankful for each and every one of the jurors that helped in convicting the young man that killed my father. I know it was time out of their lives but it helps us to move past the event that happens that totally changed our lives.” 

I was so upset I went back to the courthouse and talked with our Clerk of Court, Pam Hyder.  I told her of my experience and asked her how could I be of service to the courts.  She told me about The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program which equips community volunteers to serve abused and neglected children by advocating for their best interests in court. I am going to learn more about it. How about you? What will you do if asked to serve?

For those of you who are summoned and find it a privilege to serve on a jury, thank you for your willing service.

Cynthia Terwilliger, Tryon, N.C.