Jury Duty!

[JWS]

We have a different systems in Los Angeles. We have to report (a few postponements permitted) every day for two weeks unless called for an actual jury. If on a jury and the case ends early, we're released.

Here is my jury story. I was on an actual jury and they brought the defendant in the court direct from jail wearing a jump suit and leg irons. I was thinking omg, is this a murder case. Wrong...loitering. He was arrested for loitering at LAX airport

Now I'm thinking we're wasting time and money on this silly case. Who goes to a jury trial for loitering. The judge addressed the court and said words to the effect you may be thinking we're wasting time and money on a trivial matter...yeah... that's just what I WAS thinking (this was before 9-11). He continued, that it may seem trivial to us but it was the defendant's right to a trial and his day in court. Fine.

In short, what the accused was doing was illegal skycapping. Apparently, the skycaps at the airport are security cleared and have a license. This guy was not a licensed skycap and was carrying travelers bags for tips. The airport police saw him doing this and asked him to move on. They circled the airprort and he was still doing it. He was charged with a lesser crime of loitering.

This case dragged on for two days. He was found guilty after a holdout juror switch his vote when he realized it was getting late and had a dinner date. Can't be late for dinner. Now that's justice.