I haven't served jury duty in over 14 years now. Actually, that's not the whole truth. I've never served on a jury. I was called up for jury shortly after starting college in town, but nothing ever came of that. I phoned like a good little citizen, only to find that I was not needed. No one was needed. And so I stayed home (well, at the dorms) and studied (well, probably drank... I didn't do so well my sophomore year).

A year later, though... while I was working 50+ hours a week and going to school full time... this time the court did need me. I tried to get out of it ("I'm a student... it's too hard... I don't have time..."). They weren't having any of it. Looking at the back of the paper I hold in my hands today, I don't see how I didn't get out of serving... it seems to state right there in black and white that students and teachers can get deferrals.

In any case I shouldn't have worried. I sat around in the big glass and linoleum hallways for a morning, reading my book. Finally, after lunch, I was called into a trial room (where I couldn't read my book anymore... that was too disrespectful of the jury selection process) and waited while two incredibly sleazy lawyers threw out juror after juror. Most of the jurors were being asked questions ("Do you know any law enforcement personnel personally?" "Have you or anyone you know been arrested for drunk driving?")... but not me. No sir. When it came time for me to take a seat it just took one look to disqualify me. Mr Prosecutor give me a critical look over (long hair, earring) and said "Juror number 12, you're excused."

I then returned to the hallway and read for another hour or so until I was called into trial #2. This time they at least asked me one question. I forget exactly what it was, but it was something like "how old are you?" Then I was excused. They let me go home after that.

And today... today I've been told to call the Courthouse between Friday afternoon and Monday morning (well, Tuesday morning, Monday was a holiday). I did so, and I got the following:

The Santa Cruz County Courts and the Jury Commissioners office will be closed Monday September 3rd in observance of Labor Day. The following information is for those Jurors on call for the week of September 4th. Please listen carefully to this entire recording to see if your group number is required to report on Tuesday September 4th. Those jurors with the group numbers 3501 through and including 3512 have been canceled for Tuesday September 4th. You are required to call this recording September 4th after 5:30 to confirm your appearance for Wednesday September 5th.

Now my group number is 3611. It's not even close to being in that block. The message essentially just tells me that 3501-3512 don't have to go today, but have to call tomorrow... it doesn't tell me jack about my group. Did they space and accidently read last week's block of numbers? Do they think we're to assume we're not to show up if we weren't mentioned? Do they think everyone else will show up?

Now, I've been fretting just a little because I was going to set my alarm, show up on time, and give them a piece of my mind. Only my alarm batters just ran out... really... they did. The little electronic clockface is completely blank...

So I just drove down to Safeway to pick up an "MS76" watch battery. But do they have one? No. Not to save your life. Do they have alarm clocks? No.

Grr... so I'll go to sleep at 11pm, and I'll probably wake up in time to get there by a civilized hour... only I have to write my Cant article. Well, fine... I'll at least rant about Jury duty...

And you know, in ranting about this, I get to look over the Jury Summons notice with a fine tooth comb... and I can't see anywhere on it a mention of when I'm supposed to show up for jury duty. Tuesday, sure, but when on Tuesday?

Grrr...

i,jasona