I received a letter today from Cheyenne WY, the capitol of our state, telling me that I WILL be on their list for jury duty come January of 2021 for half a year. I will be expected to drive to Cheyenne any time they want me to. Sure, that is an honor. Our state has so few registered voters in it that it would be helping out our court system.
In other conditions, that would be a fun thing to do. I would love it. However, doctors and their family members are not welcome on juries. So I would be driving to Cheyenne–over the mountain range in bad road conditions–to be turned away because one or the other attorney on the case would dismiss me. We know this because my husband’s twin brother was turned away for that specific reason–he was related to a doctor. Attorneys don’t like doctors or their family members on the jury.
The news came at a bad time, since winter struck here on Labor Day with a blizzard, reminding us of last winter when we were stuck here in this town for 2 1/2 months by snow that had been turned to ice over the interstate by wind. There’s no way for me to get to Cheyenne without driving on that highway. It is one of the most dangerous highways in the country. And I would be driving there and back–a five hour trip.
So I sent the court clerk a letter explaining my husband’s history of triaging at the hospital’s cafeteria after 140 vehicles piled up in horrific ice and snow and were hauled to the ER by BUS. I explained my fear of that highway.
I’m sure they think I’m a chicken. So many other people drive those highways in less than favorable conditions, so why not me? Because the people who drive that highway on bad conditions haven’t seen the things I have.
I’ve asked the court to reconsider. We shall see. If they force the issue and I cannot make it, I face a fine and jail time and community service.
Have you ever served on a jury? What’s it like?
Christians Read 
Yikes! I am so sorry! I hope you can get out of it. I don’t think you are a chicken. You are sensible! That is interesting that they do not like doctors or their families. I wonder why. I have been asked twice, but never actually went. One time my boss asked me to explain that we were working on a big project and that I was too busy. They let me off the hook. And the other time I was told to call a certain phone number the Friday before. I was told they had enough people and I did not have to go in.
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Bridget, I think they don’t like doctors because there are a whole lot of medical malpractice cases, and so there will always be one attorney in the trial who will not allow a doctor’s family member to be in the jury. I’m so glad they let you off the hook. Maybe they’ll do that for me, too. I have a very good reason. We drove to Cheyenne today, and we thought the highway was clear. It wasn’t! Ice and snow are always an issue here. Sigh.I really hope they’ll let me off.
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I’ve made it to the questioning stage only once. They asked if I knew any police officers? Yes, family and friends. Would I take the word of an officer over a civilian? Ummm…YES. Are there bad officers? Yes, but they’re a definite minority. They are also trained in observation, unlike the average civilian. Yep, that was end of that. I’ve had friend and family serve on juries, and it depended on the type of case as to how difficult it was. Fraud was all about the evidence, but the one who had to deal with child abuse really struggled.
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Judy, it’s the same kind of situation. I think. I guess it always depends on the case, but since this is in our state capitol, I imagine it’s more serious and would take a long time. Murder maybe? I cannot imagine being on a jury about child abuse.
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God protect you whatever the outcome.
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Thanks, Judy. I’m not crazy about taking on the state to literally save my life.
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