Lessons from the Jury – Up Front
Last month I was called to jury duty. I arrived on a Monday expecting to be released just like the last two times I have gone, but this time it was different. When I entered the new courthouse, a vibrant lady named Mona Collins greeted all of those who had been summoned. With lots of personality and energy, she told us what to expect, what to do and what not to do. Then the waiting game began. After three hours, my name was called, putting me in a pool that would serve in a civil case if I were chosen. I was certain I would not be.
I was wrong.
I was one of the twelve selected, along with an alternate. The judge was Tim Kelley, and he gave us our instructions on the case for the next two and a half days. This was my first time ever serving as a juror on an actual trial, and the experience was unforgettable. During my down time and in the trial recesses, I took notes to help me remember the experience and extract the lessons.
Here are five lessons I learned. I share them with you in the hope that next time you are summoned, instead of trying to get out of it, you will serve.
1. Twelve people from different backgrounds can work together and come to a consensus when the goal is justice. I met wonderful people from different walks of life who all had good hearts and carried the burden of making the correct verdict. By the end of the second day we had built a camaraderie I never thought we would have. I won’t forget any of them any time soon.
2. Serving on the jury means being PATIENT. The amount of breaks, recesses and delays was wild! As an “A-type” personality, I found it tough to be locked in a room with no windows for hours at a time. Fortunately, some of the ladies on the jury found out I am a peanut M&M addict, and they bought me my own bags or shared theirs with me. I told myself there was more protein in the peanuts than sugar in the chocolate!
3. I learned the city parking garage does not take credit cards. Somebody in city government needs to upgrade this cumbersome and outdated process.
4. Judge Tim Kelley runs an efficient court. He was gracious, orderly and very meticulous about the judicial process. We jurors were treated well and highly informed throughout the entire trial. He took time to explain protocols to the jury, and it was evident that he cares. He has a passion for what he does and runs his court by the highest standards.
5. The new courthouse downtown is a first-class facility. It is a state-of-the-art building and one that will last a long time. I learned that I can walk up and down 10 stories’ worth of stairs and still not burn off the calories from the many bags of M&Ms I ate to pass the time.
Our judicial system is not perfect, but it is the best in the world. Our country provides us with so many opportunities and blessings compared to other countries and only asks a few things of us. One is to vote—which most don’t do—and another is to serve on a jury when called, which most try to get out of doing. Just imagine yourself on trial someday. Wouldn’t you want 12 fair-minded, fully engaged people listening to your case? I learned it is an honor to serve.
Discovery channel
While Baton Rouge and Louisiana get ready to welcome some of the greatest music talent in the world to our area’s festivals, we should also celebrate the accomplished men and women we have right here at home. Some are teachers or religious leaders. Others are artists, entrepreneurs or scientists.
Dr. Christopher Austin is not a household name, but in the world of those who study reptiles and amphibians, he is an absolute rock star. If discovering a new species were equivalent to winning a Grammy, he’d have earned as many as Adele and Lady Gaga combined.
Recently, the LSU herpetologist made headlines around the world for discovering a frog so tiny that leading experts believe it to be the smallest vertebrate ever recorded by scientist.
In this issue, read Jeff Roedel’s story about this fascinating discovery and the adventurous scientist responsible for it.
Picture This
It’s no joke: Cayenne Report has been retired. Our satire page had a great run of poking fun at local stories and politicians, from our debut issue in the fall of 2005 up until last month’s 225. Now we are trying something new—something we believe will encourage reflection and add artistic value to each issue.
We are debuting a brand new photo feature and calling it Picture This. Each month we will run one dynamic image submitted by a Baton Rouge-based photographer or taken by anyone within the 225 area. We are looking for images that showcase Baton Rouge’s beauty, our people and our challenges as well. To submit a photo for consideration, email [email protected] and include “Picture This” in the subject line.
Mark your calendars
The new Head 2 Toe event is scheduled for Saturday, May 12. The event, held the day before Mother’s Day, is a great time for women to spend time focused on good health and beauty. The event features the best in Baton Rouge, ranging from local medical spas, health clinics, hospitals, as well as salons and spas. The new focus for this event is to create an experience that allows every woman who attends the opportunity to gain knowledge about how to improve their lifestyle through health and modern day beauty procedures.
Doors open at 7:30 a.m. with complimentary breakfast. Seminars begin at 8 a.m. Guests will get to explore 16 “VIP Exhibition Suites” and spend time with each company. At noon, a special luncheon will take place featuring a national speaker for our audience of 600 women who will receive a VIP gift bag, a fabulous menu by Holly Clegg and plenty of fun and inspiration! For tickets go to inRegister.com.
