Two Day Magazine

A few weeks ago, I got a delightful letter in the mail.

It was a jury summons.  And, unlike Liz Lemon, I was giddy with excitement.

I filled out my questionnaire, mailed it back to the Pittsburgh City-County Building and waited patiently.  On Friday, I had to call an automated number to see if my jury group was picked to report for duty on Monday.  

I am pleased to announce that I, Sally Turkovich, will be reporting to jury duty on Monday.

You may think I'm a little bit around the bend.  

Why is she excited about jury duty?

You see, I am a big advocate of people fulfilling their civic duties.  Voting is very important and it is something I do even in midterm elections.  Jury duty has been an elusive temptress I have never been called on to perform.  Ever since 2nd grade social studies when we learned about the branches of government, I have wanted to get picked for a jury.   

According to the United States government, "jury duty is one of the most important civic duties you can perform." The US Federal Court website goes on to remind us that the protection of rights and liberties in court is achieved through the teamwork of the judge and jury.

Read that again.  

Juries are tasked with protecting rights and liberties.  This, my friends, is sexy.

Right?

Well, maybe not all the time.  

I have been reminded by friends and coworkers who have been called for jury duty that often you are required to show up for duty.  Then, you do nothing but sit in the courthouse all day simply waiting around for something to happen, only to find out that the case has been settled out of court.

Anecdotal evidence tells me that it is rare that reporting for jury duty actually results in you sitting on a jury for a trial.

I am holding out hope, though, that when I report for duty on Monday that I will get picked and get to fulfill my civic duty.

Stay tuned for part two of my adventures in jury duty on Tuesday.  

Will our fair maiden be picked or will her bizarre eyewear render her too strange to be an impartial juror?

Time will tell...

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Sally Turkovich would like to take a moment to say that on this 10th anniversary of September 11th, she is proud to hold an American passport, proud to have the right to vote and proud to live in a country whose judiciary branch of government recognizes the importance of a fair trial in front of a jury of peers.  And, every four years, we get to peacefully overthrow our existing government by exercising our right to vote, a right that cannot be taken for granted.

Find twoday magazine on Facebook and tell us if you have ever been picked for jury duty and what Sally has to look forward to...