DC Superior Court Courtroom

I got a jury duty summons right before Labor Day. Because I served exactly two years before the date I received it, I applied for dispensation and actually got it! We have lived in DC for twelve years and I have been called to jury duty at least five times - every two years without fail. I was thrilled to get out of it. Due to an interesting situation, we were invited to attend a civil lawsuit trial by a family member, who might be testifying. So for our morning walk we headed to the courthouse. I feel like I am on the jury again because we have been sitting here in the courtroom since 9 AM, and the jurors are now being selected. It’s a rare thing that I would get up at 7:30 AM for anything since I retired. It is freezing in here, and no one seems to think using a microphone is a good idea. I am hard pressed to hear most of what is being discussed. They will probably call for a lunch break next, and then perhaps the testimony may begin - or maybe not. It is all very interesting, but the show for us hasn’t even started yet. And the day is half over. 

Jury Duty AGAIN for BOTH of Us

Just two weeks ago I received a summons for jury duty - AGAIN! We have lived in DC for ten years and this will be the fourth time I have to go. The only difference this time is that I am retired, so I won't be paid a full working day salary, but will get a "bonus" for my service. We lived in Wisconsin thirty years and I was called just one time. And of course, I always get the 0800 time slot rather than the 1030 later time slot - which would have been much better for people like me who are just not morning people. To make matters worse, just this week my husband was also summoned to jury duty for the following week. How many people in one household get that privilege? This will be his third time, but one was for a grand jury that he got out of because we had already planned an overseas trip. And guess what time he gets to report? Ten thirty of course, because he IS the morning person who rarely gets up after seven AM. Too bad we didn't get called up for the same day and times. That would have made it much more tolerable.