I have just finished 6 days of jury duty. 

Fortunately, I was called to serve at the Malibu courthouse.  Unfortunately, I would have to be on call for the week of October 18.  

Fortunately, I didn't have to go in on Monday.  Unfortunately, I was called in on Tuesday. 

Fortunately, a lot of people were called and Malibu is a small courthouse.  Unfortunately, my employer pays for my jury service so I didn't have a financial hardship excuse. 

Fortunately, I wasn't the only one who had a job that pays.  Unfortunately, I was asked to sit in the jury box. 

Fortunately, I am a teacher and have a lot of little kids who need me.  Unfortunately, the justice system doesn't care about that. 

Fortunately, I was on a civil case so no jail time for anyone just money.  Unfortunately, it was going to be a long trial with an estimated end date of November 5. 

Fortunately, the trial moved along quickly and we had closing statements today.  Unfortunately, the case was settled before we the jury got a chance to deliberate the case.

Fortunately, I have done my civic duty.  Unfortunately, I can be called again in as little as one year.

Here are the nuts and bolts of the case for those interested.   A construction worker fell off a metal ladder attached to the side of a building that was being constructed.  The worker did severe damage to his feet.  His case was already resolved and he was awarded a sum of money (we later learned 2.1 million).  My trial was the general contractor suing the subcontractor that installed the ladder for who was responsible and thus who should pay some or all of the already awarded damages.  We learned a lot about the construction business and how general contractors and subcontractors work together (or don't work together).  We learned about fixed metal access ladders, “redhead” bolts and tail gate safety meetings and shipping brackets.  We were supposed to decide which party was responsible and give that decision a percentage.

While we didn't get a chance to figure that out as a jury, we did talk with the lawyers after the case and the sense was that each party had responsibility and each had made mistakes.  In order for the subcontractor not to pay any money, the verdict would have to have been 0% responsibility.  I think that since that was going to be very hard to get in this case, they worked hard to reach a settlement while the trial was going on.

My only other thought or observation is about jury duty, elections and the system.  I just wonder how many people don't register to vote in order not to have to worry about jury duty.  It is a hassle.  You do feel a little bit like a prisoner since you can't control your actions to a certain extent.   There is a lot of time just sitting around and waiting.  It sure seems like I have been called a lot, 4 times in the last 12 years, while other people I know have never been called.  Is it really in the best interest to have people who don't want to be there sitting in judgment? 

Ken