I spent the better part of this Tuesday hanging out in the Roxbury Municipal Court, performing my civil duty as a potential juror.  This was my third time called to jury duty, and my second time in this particular court.  After freezing half to death outside while waiting for the clock to hit 8:30, I was led upstairs to the exact same waiting room from three years prior.  Not only was I in the same waiting room, but I was sitting with a very similar group of people, making the exact same observations.  I was surprised again at how people show up to jury duty in jeans and sneakers, especially since the instructions tell you to dress appropriately.  I was surprised again at how many people on trial also fail to clean themselves up even a little bit for the courtroom.  Come on, folks – it can only help.  I was amused by the guys who fell asleep sitting up in their chairs, breaking the near-complete silence with their snoring.  While watching the introductory video, I noticed that the chief justice of the Massachusetts SJC was changing her R’s to W’s, and I suddenly recalled catching that exact same alteration of speech three years ago.  It’s funny how much you can remember about a given day when given enough queues.  I even remembered what book I was reading (Freakonomics) last time.

Call me a weirdo, but I kind of like jury duty, or at least the idea of it.  I think it’s a bit of a shame that people aren’t more excited about performing this particualr part of their civic duty.  (One of the courthouse officers even called it “jury service” as opposed to “jury duty.”)  I have yet to be impaneled, but I think it would be a very interesting experience.  Analyzing testimony, watching the lawyers spar, developing a story in one’s head, applying the law, deliberating with the other jurors, handing down a verdict – sounds exciting to me!  I know it’s an inconvenience sitting on a jury most of the time for most people, but participating actively in one of the most crucial cornerstones of the American judicial system – as a regular layperson, to boot – has got to be one of the most important, engaging, meaningful things you can do with your day.