I had an opportunity to be a Juror for the first time in my life. My whole life I have been a professional, mother, housewife. I became citizen of USA in 1993. First excitement to be a USA citizen was to participate in elections. When I registered as voter, I became eligible to be a juror. I was called several times for jury duty but never selected for jury. In 2023, I was selected as Juror. I got to see the evidence exactly as it’s presented, without the bias of an editor. It was not the documentary that I was watching but the real expressions of defender and lawyers. I spend the 3 full days within trail room, listening both sides of isle, with people that I had never interacted before. All brought together for one specific, serious purpose. After the presentations were done from both sides, last thing was the closing statements from both sides. We Jurors were given Verdict Form to come up with the final decision. We were put in a room together to discuss all the questions on the Verdict Form. This was very interesting and challenging process, to reach Yes or No verdict on every question was a challenge, because if we had different opinion’s, every Juror had to justify their answer not based on personal facts but based on the facts represented by lawyers and witness on both sides of the case. We had some jurors who will always give the reason of Yes or No based on their personal incidents. It took about 5 hours before the Verdict Form was completed. Once the Verdict Form was delivered, then it was the final time for Jury to enter in the Jury trial room and be recognized as Juror. Once the verdict was delivered, Jury was asked to go back to Jury room, where Judge cam and thanked the whole Jury for their time.
Most exciting thing for me personally was to be part of greatest Judicial system in world. I was honored to be in the Juror box and listen to facts of both sides where you do not have any soft corner for any party. You just listen argument and the response, and the respect that Judicial system gives to Jurors. Every time, Jury members enter in the court room, everyone in the court room stands and remain standing until the jury sits in the jury box. This was the most overwhelming experience for a person like me. Jurors are being acknowledged by the Judge and all the audience of the judicial system. If you ever get a chance to be juror, take with pride, that is one of the ways we can contribute to greatest judicial system of greatest country in the world. Please post your comments.