Alternatives to jury duty

I understand that it is our duty as citizens to participate in the judicial process; that is to show up for jury duty. I have to admit, however, as a working mom and teacher, that small envelope was always met with a slight groan. Only the phrase, “Call this number after 6 the night before” offered some hope of compromise.

Rescheduling household schedules and writing lesson plans was difficult and time consuming. I always felt anxious. I never knew how long I would be gone from my classroom or how the students would react in my absence. It meant another schedule to put in place. Substitutes needed notification before the end of the school day, as to whether or not they would be returning the next day. I would have to pick up assignments on my way home, correct them that night, and then leave plans and work for the next day; all before reporting back to the courthouse.  

Back to the hopeful phrase! Would the recorded message say, “Dismissed or Report?”

I was told to report to the Tulare Court House. There I disappeared into a small room crowded with people. I knew many of them. They were from Lindsay, Tulare, Porterville, and Strathmore. It was a mini-reunion. Everyone in this room had been summoned to appear and rearranged jobs, baby-sitters, and schedules. There were those who had to arrange for transportation  to get to the courthouse.

It took about an hour before we were escorted into the actual courtroom. We sat listening, as the judge explained the case. A young boy sat in a chair next to his attorney. His back facing us; his head down. He wore a white shirt and a tie, his hair combed and in place and looked like any other high school boy, except that he had been accused of burglarizing a store in Lindsay. Though the monetary value of the stolen property was minimal, the cost of replacing broken windows and ripped screens was not.  He was caught as he left the building with an accomplice, a friend of his.

My name was never called, but I sat there the entire morning, as the twelve seats slowly filled, and the jury selection was completed. The case was to be decided that afternoon, and those remaining took a break for lunch.

Those of us, who were not selected, were dismissed. I returned to my car, and drove back to Porterville. “What a waste of time and resources,” I reflected. Even as I thought this, I knew that every citizen has a right to a fair trial. This young man was no different.

I wondered, if given the choice, how many of us in that courthouse would have opted to spend four or five hours in a community service program for kids, young adults or families instead of an entire morning waiting on this case? Would any of us be willing to disrupt our schedules and take a half a day a year to help and support kids like this one?

I know the thought changed me.

In the process I discovered that the South Valley is blessed with people, organizations and churches that are caring, supportive and giving all year long. Just ask Yolie who e-mailed her friends, when she realized that an unemployed woman needed food for her family. She had to borrow a van to deliver the food that was collected.

Each year presents its own opportunities for giving, for doing good works. Sometimes it takes rescheduling a few hours, one morning, now and then.

Disclaimer: Good works don’t guarantee a pass on jury duty. There’s a great amount of hard and difficult  work in our communities. Besides, Jury Duty might be your good works.

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased. — Hebrews 13:16

Anne Marie Bezayiff can be reached by e-mail at ambolor@ocsnet.net.