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Larry L. Rose

July 18, 1999

Jurors wait and grumble

Was it disrespect for the jury process, or for the persons called to serve, or both? Last week, more than 100 people assembled in the courthouse jury room for jury assignment.
The multitude sat in chairs fastened together, so that most everyone overlapped onto one another. As the temperature rose, forms were sorted and sorted and sorted. Finally, a judge was summoned and the process got under way, a little late. The judge dispatched or retained those seeking to be excused, and those remaining quickly were divided into jury pools for specific courts.
Other groups were sent to their courts, but our group of 20 remained. There wasn't much to read and some began telling stories of past trials, of trying to get out of serving, of wondering how long this would take.
Then the word came for our group.
"Come back tomorrow."
Groans.
Next day, the court representative didn't show up until a couple of people from our group went searching. We were welcomed back, apologies given, and the wait began.
With little of interest to read, our group's stories began again, "How much work can be missed?" "My boss won't pay for time on juries." "I have an excuse for the judge." The intensity rose as the wait dragged on.
Then the grumbling broke.
Go to the first floor, our group was told, through the metal detector, then onto the elevators to the seventh floor.
At the fourth floor, our elevator was intercepted. Sorry, go back to the jury room, the court isn't ready.
Back on floor three, the waiting and the commentary began again.
After awhile, a man with a badge asked the group to assemble.
"Is it good news?" someone asked.
"They settle?" another inquired.
This court representative indicated good news, just get back together now.
We're going to the courtroom, he said, to more groans.
Those with military service had heard the cruel jokes before.
"If anyone has a driver's license," the drill sergeant shouted to the morning assembly, "and doesn't mind missing a day of basic training, raise your hand."
Eager trainees were selected.
"OK, you guys are going to spend the day mowing lawns around the base."
Laughter from the rest of the company.
But back to the courthouse, to the first floor, metal detector, up elevators.
This time our group made it to the seventh floor, outside a courtroom.
Ready to wait again, pop an Altoid mint and relax.
The call soon came. No chewing gum in the courtroom, the group was told, then quickly was seated, not yet in the jury box.
Prosecution attorneys and court personnel were milling about, defense table empty, judge on the telephone.
No chewing gum, the bailiff said of the Altoid.
The group focused on, and listened to, the judge's conversation with an attorney. It didn't sound good.
Then the judge said into the phone: "9 a.m. tomorrow?"
The groans were starting.
Now off the phone, the judge looked at our group of moaners. Instead of lecturing from the bench on the duties and responsibilities of being jurors, Judge Marisela Saldana of County Court at Law No. 3 crossed the courtroom, came around the low barrier and addressed the group in a cordial, understanding and professional way.
She explained the process and why things work as they do, how many cases pass through her court in a week and what may happen next. She told the group to leave for the day but to call back, whom to call, when to call and what the group's options would be. Clear, concise and informative.
For whatever reason, our group never made it to trial. Why would people feel so badly about serving? There was no major negative to our group's experience. There were, however, those little things.
To the process, defendants, defense and prosecuting attorneys, and the judge clearly are important. How important to the process were those in our group? Had we become a jury, surely the bad things from the past, as well as the unpleasant things of this experience, quickly would have been forgotten. And surely, also forgotten would have been the moans of disgust over that missing defense attorney. At least, I think so.

Larry L. Rose can be reached by phone at 361-886-3749 or by e-mail at rosel@caller.com.

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