I have been called to report for jury duty in a few days.

Is wrong to look forward to serving because it might provide material for characters and future story ideas? Does that make a mockery of what we in the States refer to affectionately as The American Judical System?

For the record, I've gotten out of serving three times. All three were times when my broadcast and travel schedule were too heavy or had me out of the state. (It was also long before I joined this site and on-line community). I have no such excuse this time.

Just had it for the first time in February. I was really bummed out at first then I got picked and we got into deliberations and I was actually pretty into it... then we realized we were going to be deliberating for a long time and I was bummed out again... then it was over and that was that.

Consequently, I didn't get any character or story ideas but I did get a lot of insight into human behavior and the way the system works so all and all I was pretty happy that things panned out the way they did. I imagine you'll get something out of it if you go in with some writerly curiosity.

Found out there's free Wi-Fi in the waiting room. I'm definitely taking my laptop.

To update - this experience was a complete and total bust.

The last time I went to jury duty, I was brought in to be interviewed for a civil case involving a car accident.  The defense attorney liked me (for some effed up reason).  I was answering all the questions the way he wanted me to, I guess.

It was approaching the end of my second day of jury duty and I knew if I wasn't being called for this one, I was going home.

This defense attorney (ready to send me flowers because he loved me so much) asked everyone this question, 'Do you think a person can be entitled to compensation if there is no visible sign of injury?"

I raised my hand and pointed out that I have three herniated discs and that the pain can be unbearable at times.  As I explained this, I watched the attorney's heart break.

Good times!


Phil

LOL! That is great!

Even that little is interesting.

I was in room with 85 people. They called 80 names to serve for two different juries and I was one of the 5 they didn't select.

On one hand, that was a relief. I didn't want to give up two days of my life to sit through whatever was happening as I have a lot stuff to do.

On the other hand, seeing everyone called in but me sort felt like my dating life in college.