I received a notice for jury duty & dutifully arrived at
730 a.m. (that’s in the morning).
Everyone had to go through security, much like TSA at the airport, but I
got through w/o being “wanded”. The
courthouse has Wi-Fi that is available in the jury service area so I brought
Bleu Shiba to do homework, watch Netflix, play games, and generally pass the
time. I located a table next to an
electrical outlet and set up my work space.
At 8 a.m., the clerk assembled all of us for orientation after the
Pledge of Allegiance and being sworn in.
The cases could be felony, lasting 1-3 days; county, 1 or 2 days; or
civil, which last longer, 1-3 weeks. The
clerk asked 7 questions and if any jurors felt they might be exempted they
could present their case. The 7
questions: (1) Ever convicted of a felony or under prosecution, (2) a judge,
(3) law enforcement officer, (4) have to be 18 or over, (5) citizen of FL, (6)
reside in Osceola County, or (7) have a FL DL or ID.
Orientation:
Instructions in case of evacuation. – Free coffee & tea,
vending, restroom, fridge, micro. – Cyber café, games, magazines, TV. – Free Wi-Fi,
-- Do not access social network or the news while on site. – Turn phone off in courtroom but you can use
them in the assembly area. – Verification
forms provided for employer after providing pic ID. – Park in long-term parking or you can get
ticketed. – If you have a medical
condition, inform the judge. – Smoke breaks
when needed but take no longer than 10 minutes & sign in/out. – Lunch around noon. – If you have a language barrier, inform the
judge. – You will be here all day,
usually until 5 p.m. unless a judge needs jurors to remain longer.
It is almost 1:44.
Only 1 judge is on-site & no jurors have been called…..yet.
I’m reliving the X-Files so the day isn’t wasted! The truth is out there!
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