Caution: Very Hot

Alright... So I'm on jury duty right now. But I am officially not allowed to talk to anyone about the case until it's over. And then I believe I can say whatever I want. So, I will publish this after the fact, but I want to keep track of the cool experience.

MONDAY: So I go in to the courthouse and wait an hour and a half before we even get taken into the courtroom. When we do, I am juror #12 and sitting in the jury box. I'm kind of guessing that I will be in the jury. So they announce the case. A woman is suing a local McDonald's franchise owner for burns from hot coffee. For seriousness. That is my case. At first when the judge announced it I almost laughed aloud. I looked around like... "Are we being punked?" but no... that is the case. So the initial shock aside, I realised it is a real issue. And that depending on the circumstances, the corporation could be liable. I've done my pre-law classes and understand that enough. So, although my first instinct was to say it was frivolous, I listened to the plaintiff's attorney ask if we as jurors could be open to the possibilities. And I can. I definitely think there is some responsibility, and the details of the case will show who that responsibility belongs to. And making a call based on the facts is totally different than a pre-formed opinion. So I began having an open mind. Although that wasn't the case with some people... they adamantly refused to look at it with an impartial eye. They were dismissed. I think the hardest thing about being on a jury is that you really have to put yourself on both sides. There are definitely two ways to look at it...

So we had opening statements today... interesting... and I guess nothing in the opening statements is evidence. They have to submit it later. I then have no idea why they do them... I guess it's like a preview to the fun of the next three days. AndI feel like I have so many questions that will not be answered. I want to just look them up online and see, but I can't. Oh the limits of jury duty. But I'm glad I'm not sequestered.

ps... the plaintiff's attorney really reminds me of the defense attorney on the Bee Movie... ;)

TUESDAY: I don't ever want to be a witness. I have a hard enough time remembering things that happen let alone going over every intricate detail. I feel bad for them. Especially when they are only allowed to answer yes or no, and not explain. Nevertheless, our court system is one of answering questions, not telling the whole story. I think it would be a lot easier without the lawyers, they just make things complicated. We did have a video witness today, and that was smooth and easy. There was no wobbling, and no rehashing. Quite nice. But we have just a few more witnesses for tomorrow... and then probably go into deliberation on Thursday. It is a cool experience. And it's interesting to try and read the motives of the lawyers. You can tell when it's supposed to be emotional... kind of annoying really.

Oh, and I hate the way they eye us! I know their fate is totally in our hands, but they all look at us all the time! The lawyer looks at us as he asks the witness questions. the witness looks at us as he/she answers. The other attorney looks at us like the whole time. So.. Poker Face. I have a hard time with that really. And it is so funny, because on break we are so fun and happy, but then... Serious unemotional faces in the court room. Who knows who thinks they have me on their side, but I'm sure they've already decided something about me.


WEDNESDAY: So I think I may have to change careers. I need to become an expert in something. then I can charge $1,000 an hour to be an expert witness. Yeah, that's a little up from my measly current wage. And I know that they are not doing that full time, but they are able to earn a heck of a lot of money! I don't know if I'd like to be in court all the time, but if life was all about money, I would be doing that.

So, that was today. A few expert witnesses, of course in disagreement from each other. However, their background really does have a lot to do with it. Medical doctors sure are the ones to talk about medical conditions. But I don't see why they don't just bring in the doctors who diagnosed her in the first place. Honestly! But that is the way the court room works... if the evidence doesn't work, find some that will. Kind of annoying.

But the witnesses today were a lot more refined. I guess you have to be as an expert witness. But it was a lot easier to sit through.

And I realised today that I might not even be in the deliberation. They randomly pick two alternates but you don't find out until all the evidence is presented. I feel like it might be me...


THURSDAY: Last day... two more expert witnesses who were amazing! They were just so solid and believable. For the defense. But i won't get into the details of that. The closing arguments were emotional (from the plaintiff) and totally logical (from the defense). I totally had an open mind going into it. but after all the evidence and everything that I have heard, I have only heard straight facts that disprove everything the plaintiff says. So going into deliberation, I was pretty decided already. Just a few minor questions in my head. Like, why did we never see her leg now... They showed us so many pictures from years ago, but why not see what it's like now? And why did the treating doctors not testify for the plaintiff? Especially if the wounds were as bad as they said. And of course the issue of the ever conflicting stories. It just didn't make sense. Truth is easy to find, and hard to hide.

So, I was not one of the alternates, and we went into deliberation "having an open mind, and sticking to our convictions." Following the contradictory advice from the plaintiff's attorney. And after three hours of deliberation, we came to a verdict giving no award to the plaintiff. The story just didn't fit, and really, everybody know's coffee is hot. If it spills, it's going to burn you. Especially if you are sitting in it for 15 minutes (I don't think that i've mentioned that the plaintiff didn't get out of her car when the burn happened. She sat in the hot coffe as she drove "in and out of conciousness" to the hospital ER.) Seriously, lady...

After the verdict was read, the defense attorney looked at everybody on the jury and winked. He knew it would go like that. Before the bailiff led us out, he told us that next month there will be an almost identical case. Different burn victim, same lawyers, same defendant, same judge. I hope it gets the same result. It was so obvious he was out to make some money.... They were asking for $490,000! The medical bills were only $4,100. Thus evidence the corrupt lawyers of our society. But thus triumphs our honest and effective justice system!