Ginger Rogers—well, her excellent legs—in Roxie Hart, 1942.
Seraphic Secret has delayed and delayed for years.
But the Superior Court of Los Angeles has run out of patience with yours truly and stated in no uncertain terms that unless I answer the latest Summons for Jury Service I will be subject to a fine, incarceration—that’s legalese for prison—or both.
Message received.
I have no idea if I’ll be able to blog from the court but stay tuned.
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
The new book
by Robert J. Avrech
Available in All Major Book Stores
Adobe Digital Edition's version is available through the Lulu store!
Ariel Chaim Avrech, ZT'L, May His Righteous Memory be a Blessing.
7 Comments
I was called to jury duty twice. Got sent home right away the first time; I forget what the trial was about, some financial stuff I think. The second time it was for the trial of a guy accused of not paying child support. I was interviewed by the judge, but rejected by counsel for the defense. That’s been the experience of most of my acquaintances who have been called. The defense attorneys seem to get nervous when they see the yarmulke; I imagine they worry that we’re out of the mainstream and thus unpredictable, which is the last thing they want. Or maybe they’re afraid that openly religious, family-oriented people will be tougher on their clients. Dunno.
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Robert’s description of Jury duty will no doubt be fascinating.
I wonder which character from 12 Angry men Robert most closely resembles ?
The guy played by E.G Marshall I think. A very logical mind at work.
Ted
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Robert – now that I am on my own time I’ll tell you my 2 Jury stories – the first one – I was selected and never one to want to shirk one’s duty I report.
Well first unless Los Angeles County is different — it is a lot better than it used to be. Once you go down to report you are put in a group number and you just have to phone in every morning – punch in the group # on the keypad – to see if they want you down there that day.
The closest I got to serving – a guy was accused of domestic abuse – the prosecutor picked me and the court appointed defense immediately excused me (they are allowed up to – 3? – without excuse – All I can think for her reason was that I was a white male with military service – but of course they don’t say.
You fill out that stuff in a short questionnaire.
Then there are the jury trials in criminal cases for whom the lives of the families have been forever changed.
Don’t have to name all the crimes for which this is the case – I am sure you get the idea.
Anyhoo (to use a Robertism) I am in the audience for one – from jury selection to conviction. During the selection process one man is asking the judge to be excused for the most trivial of reasons.
And I am thinking during this interchange what the family must be thinking. To have such a life changing event and to hear such trivial excuses for exclusion.
Point is sometimes you may be asked to make decisions that affect people the rest of their lives. In truth no matter what you decide it will affect them the rest of their lives.
And in a criminal trial you all have to agree, which is where the jokes come.
It is a responsibility that I would ask God for the wisdom of Solomon, but of course your decision must be guided by the instructions the judge gives you. But it doesn’t hurt to ask
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From public service to public service! And I agree with pearliesofwisdom – you can definitely get some material (urban character studies, if nothing else) out of this.
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Oh, the people you’ll meet…the stories you’ll tell. Maybe a screenplay lies in wait…? (bring a good book to pass the time)
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You mean like 12 Angry Men?
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Robert – I am at work and on someone else’s time but when I get home I will tell you a couple of my Jury Service stories – and how they can affect the lives of others – think of it as a potential celestial service…
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