As a writer I think jury duty could be inspiration for a story, but on the other hand, it will keep me from the book I am currently working on. So I have mixed feelings about the prospect. I've had to report for jury duty three other times, once in Georgia, once in Texas and once in Florida.
In Georgia, I actually got selected for a jury in a civil case in which a woman was suing the man who hit her in a car accident. Sitting in the court room as part of a jury is a fascinating experience. In this particular case, the judge seemed bored and the plaintiff's attorney came across as combative. I don't believe he helped his client. The jury did find for the plaintiff, but the reward was not close to what they were asking. So in a sense, the defendant, in my opinion, was the real winner.
In Texas, I spent the entire day at the courthouse, but I was not chosen to serve on the jury for the case that had a patient suing a hospital. I knew right from the beginning that I would never be picked for the jury because my husband worked for a healthcare company. That was a strike against me, but I still had to sit through the whole process. On the good side, while we were waiting I talked to some men who repaired elevators and discovered all kinds of information about what could happen if someone got stuck in an elevator. I used that information to write a scene in one of my books, but in the end, the scene got cut. But the experience taught me that you never know what you can learn from the people around you in any situation.
In Florida, I reported in the morning to a room filled with over a hundred people, but I was dismissed after less than an hour because they only had one case and enough of a jury pool before they got to me. Where I live now, I will only have to call in or check the website the night before to find out if I have to report.
Have you ever had to serve on a jury? What kind of case was it?
Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of American. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty-five plus years, and has two grown daughters. Her latest book, Second Chance Reunion, is available at all major book retailers. You can find the buy links at her website. Connect with her on her Facebook page.
Have you signed up for our newsletter yet? It comes out three times a year, Valentine's Day, Summer and the December holiday issue.
Each issue features sweet romance flash fiction, delightful stories that will warm your heart. It also includes giveaways from our authors and news about their latest releases.
Don't miss another issue. Scroll down the right side of our blog and enter your email address under Newsletter Signup.
I've been summoned a few times but never chosen. The holding rooms are a great source of inspiration for characters in a book. Lots of oddness going on in there.
ReplyDeleteKristin, yes they are. I found out that my date has been rescheduled for the end of the month. More waiting in store.
ReplyDeleteI've only sat in the jury pool waiting to be called. Always a bridesmaid...
ReplyDeleteMelinda, I wonder how many people really want to serve on a jury and how many hope to get out of it. I hope I don't get on one this time because we are supposed to babysit our granddaughters for 10 days, starting the day after I'm scheduled to report now.
ReplyDeleteI've done jury time on two local cases, but now I'm on the list for federal jury duty. My letter from the feds says I'm on the list for 13 months and that will end in August.
ReplyDeleteRegularly, customers are in struggle with an enemy. The innovative legal expert can break gridlocks through inventive arrangements that prompt commonly gainful arrangementsgpwlaw-mi.com/maryland-mesothelioma-lawyer/
ReplyDeleteThe principle point of the best criminal lawyers is to enable their customers to frame such a vital legitimate protection so that there is no extent of losing the case.תאונת דרכים
ReplyDeleteAs a rule, your lawyer will say that he is ready, capable and upbeat to help you. Observe, he said a similar thing to a few others at the beginning of today, and a week ago, and the week prior to that.תביעות ייצוגיות
ReplyDeleteArdell's second Law of REAL Wellness: Relative to Ardell's first Law of REAL wellbeing, other REAL health laws don't add up to much.
ReplyDeletepersonal injury lawyer near me
At long last, you ought to get some information about the expense of the underlying conference. https://pittsburgh-injury-lawyers-pc.business.site/#service
ReplyDelete