Federal Grand Jury

[lizziebelle]

I got called up to report for Federal Grand Jury service, which was today. Being on a regular jury does not excuse you, and they're pretty strict about excusing you on the form, so in I went.

This one's in Boston, on the waterfront. I decided to take the commuter rail into town (first time!) since it goes to South Station, a couple of blocks from the courthouse. And then I got lost, because the Google directions I had sucked. Got there a little late, but I wasn't the last to arrive. I am usually on time or early, so that was a little stressful! At least it wasn't raining today like it was yesterday.

I got a form to fill out, and a groovy pin.

We weren't allowed to bring any electronics, so no phone or iPod. At least I have a great new book to read (Lev Grossman's THE MAGICIAN'S LAND) so I didn't have to sit there twiddling my thumbs. We also weren't allowed to bring any food, but they had coffee, juice, and soda, so I grabbed a bottle of Ruby Red Grapefruit and sat to wait.

There were over a hundred prospective jurors, but the dude in charge said they needed 23 jurors, 15 alternates, and 10 alternates for a different Grand Jury which had used up all of theirs, so chances were about 50/50 for each of us.

He gave us the talk, answered questions, and showed us the video. After a bathroom break, we all headed upstairs to the courtroom for empaneling. He called out each person's name, and we got in line. I was third from last, so I knew chances were pretty good I wouldn't get chosen. The guy sitting next to me was keeping track, and there were two rows of people to go when they were choosing the final few so we knew we were in the clear. The judge let about half the people who said they had a hardship or other reason for not serving go, which I found surprising.

The Federal courthouse and courtrooms are a lot nicer than the district courts, but they sat us on wooden benches which were uncomfortable after a while.

When we walked out of the courthouse, there was a bank of TV cameras and reporters on the sidewalk. Something big was going down there today! I'll have to watch the news to see what it was.

It was noon exactly when I got back to South Station, and wonder of wonders, there was a train leaving at 12:05! I found the right track, and climbed aboard. I do love trains; I wish our rail system was better in this country. I'd love to take the Acela sometime (which we passed on the way in). Trains are so much nicer than buses. Most things are so much nicer than buses. ;)

I was really bumming that I couldn't have my camera with me, because I was right in the heart of the waterfront, and the weather was perfect. We saw lots of boats go by, including a whale watch and a gorgeous tall sailboat. I'd forgotten how much I love downtown Boston. I used to work a couple blocks from South Station, back in the early 90's. Full of bustle and tall, shiny buildings, boats, cafés, museums, and history. I really need to go spend a day wandering around town, this time with my camera.

I'm really relieved I don't have to serve. While I'm sure it's very interesting, the jury they were picking today was for healthcare fraud, which sounds rather tedious. And it's one day a week for eighteen months, which I don't think I could deal with. They said it's usually not every week, but it could be. Ouch.

But I did have an adventure today, and it was interesting.

Comments

[lizardqueen.livejournal.com]

So glad for you! I know it was going to be difficult for you, so it's a good thing you're free.

I only did grand jury service once, back in '00. You could get out for hardship of any sort, but apart from that, no excuses, and they don't care how you feel about anything. All they want you to decide is if there is enough evidence for a particular case to go to trial.

I found it surprisingly interesting. There were two morning juries and two afternoon, and you could pick which one; then it was every weekday for a month and after that you didn't have to serve on ANY kind of jury for eight years. I took afternoon, and mine turned out to be the afternoon homicide jury (they had one in the morning too...hey, it's New York!). Not all the cases were homicide, but most were, and we had to look at pretty gruesome crime scene photos and listen to horrible testimony from detectives and witnesses both.

We even made the news one day when we indicted some guy who'd shot up a bodega in upper Manhattan and killed three people. We were very proud of that one, as there had been unanimity on it. But we had a 100% indictment rate, even though there were fierce arguments on many. All that was needed was 17 jurors out of 21 to vote for indictment, so not really a problem, and no mob types tried to bribe us.

Now I get off on medical reasons, so my juristic days are over. And a good thing too!

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Interesting! Here they just need 12 to agree for indictment, with a quorum of 16.

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

my boss is on Federal grand jury, twice a week for six months or more. It's really frustrating for everyone. Glad you had an interesting time and didn't get stuck on the jury.

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Wow, twice a week? How do they expect people to have lives?

[writerjenn.livejournal.com]

... And you have a groovy pin. ;-)

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

I know! Hee!

[lamentables.livejournal.com]

I know these duties are necessary, but it's only when it (potentially) affects someone I know that I wonder how people survive it. I'm happy for you that it was not your time.

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

If it wasn't all the way to Boston, and not so often, I wouldn't mind serving. It is necessary.