Tales of Douchebaggery #2

Scenes from a Courthouse

I had the pleasure of sitting on a jury pool two weeks ago. Now..in the 21 years since I turned 18 I have been called to jury duty five times. This past time was the first since 2002. I was still under the impression that people were supposed to dress up somewhat. I can recall my earliest jury summons notices stating that jurors should dress appropriately for a serious civic duty.

I can remember wearing a suit to my first two times...and most of the men wearing at least shirts and ties. The people in "street" wear were so few that they stood out.

Oh lordy how the times have changed in a small span of time.

I was only one of two men in a suit this latest time. A few were in business casual...sweaters and such...but most were in jeans and t-shirts...or worse. A few of the younger kids looked like they were on call as extras in a 50 Cent video....complete with ballcaps, shades and and way too fucking much bling. The women were even worse. One lady was in pajama bottoms.

I thought it was odd and sad that the defendants in the halls were dressed better than the prospective jurors.

Anyway...the real douchebaggery comes not from the slovenly dress of my fellow jurors (and my crotchety complaining about it)...but from their behavior.

I really, really, really hope I never have to face a jury. Because these people sure ain't my peers.

I say a conservative estimate of the percentage of people who slept in the jury pool room was 40%...slept through the head judge's speech....the intro of a visiting Japanese judicial official (Japan is adding the jury system to it's legal system)...the instructional video...the talk from the bailiff...etc, etc, etc. The snoring was so loud at times people were laughing. People couldn't stay off their cell phones even when explicitly told to...and at least three dummies took off their shoes (one with some serious foot stink) and used chairs as footrests so they could recline and sleep. At least two people got into arguments with the court officers...one shouting...when they were told they couldn't bring food back into the room.

Ach. Maybe the Japanese legal official will go home and declare the jury system is not a good idea. Then again...the Japanese are better behaved as a people.