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Truth on Justice Way

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Contributed by: Anthonette Klinkerman on 6/10/2008

Dismissed from jury duty. I actually feel guilty about this.

It was not as though I tried to get dismissed; it just happened. The question was asked, "If anyone feels they cannot be fair in this hearing, please speak now." So I did. I honestly did not feel I could be fair. Yet, my being honest in my response left me feeling like the criminal.

Why couldn't I be fair? When criminals go free and commit the same crimes again, when innocent people are often found guilty, and guilty people are turned loose, that's why. I'm sorry, but that kind of shakes my faith. Apparently I was the only one who would admit this in the jury box.

The judge seemed exasperated with me, which I find odd as I answered the question truthfully. I was concerned that I could not be fair, given what I knew about the trial and my past experiences. Being under oath, I was not about to lie about this.

I am aware that as an American, you are to be tried by a jury of your peers. I'll never forget a comedy routine I heard about a trial regarding a guy who had been running around New York, popping people in the head with a hammer. "Where on earth are you going to find 12 more people who have hit someone in the head with a hammer?" the comedian asked.

You are also innocent until proven guilty. The judge offered that this wasn't exactly the case when something went wrong around her own house. It sounds like most of us operate our daily lives under that opposite assumption; you are guilty until proven innocent.

I would say the new body image scanner at the entrance to the building clearly says people are guilty until proven innocent down to what's under their skivvies.

This isn't the first time I was dismissed. The last time I was excused from a jury was because the judge knew my father, a criminal attorney, back in San Diego. You should have seen the look on the defense attorney's face. Needless to say, my name was the first called.

Maybe I'll serve on a jury one day, but with my track record it isn't looking likely. I find myself in the peculiar position of feeling a little remorseful about this. It is, after all, my civic duty, and it is to be viewed as a privilege to serve.

At least the defendant is going to get a fair trial.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Anthonette Klinkerman

Castle Pines North

Anthonette Klinkerman has posted 78 stories and 44 comments since joining on 4/14/2006. Anthonette Klinkerman 's average story rating is 4.95.

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