Word Thursday

Juror

-Noun

1. one of a group of persons sworn to deliver a verdict in a case submitted to them; member of a jury. 
2. one of the panel from which a jury is selected 
3. one of a group of people who judge a competition.
4. a person who has taken an oath or sworn allegiance.

Thus, I have been summoned for Jury Duty in about two weeks.

(Enter Dragnet Theme Music here.)

OK; here is the problem I have with this "Duty"

If "It is the Duty of every citizen to preserve this right by serving as a juror when called upon to do so", then why are we threatened with a $100 dollar fine and Contempt of Court? As I read "Contempt of Court", it seems to me (not being the sharpest axe in woodshed) that the Honorable Judge has license to bust balls for anything he/she may interpret as disrespectful or impeding the progress of his/her court. Suppose, just for conjecture that this Judge woke up and did not get laid or something as equally important and then gets a huge case of the red ass just before entering his/her court? The dutiful citizen is then about to be hosed by said Judge, then placed into the overcrowded court system for contempt of court and a fine. At this point the citizen just really, in all actuality, finds the whole process of jury duty worth the whole contempt of court charge. This along with your fine and the fact the Judge seems to think that money grows on trees.
Along with all this drama I cannot wear my lucky football jersey either.

There also seems to be a sort of "Dress Code". I am sure as I ever was, that this, this is where the "contempt of court" will come in handy for said red assed Judge. I remind myself of the movie My Cousin Vinny.

Judge Chamberlain Haller: Mr. Gambini, didn't I tell you that the next time you appear in my court that you dress appropriately?
Vinny Gambini: You were serious about that?

To recap: I have to wear a tie for the Judge, and God himself does not require a tie.  This is just wrong. This will be the longest day of my life.

There is also a quite lengthy list of fun or useful things you cannot bring to court like the following:

I understand most of these can be used as weapons. I would really be concerned with any dutiful citizen who would try to bring these things with them for Jury Duty. I am surprised tights are not on this list.

Jury Duty sucks unless you live in the inner city.

This is going to be worse than it was in Phoenix, if possible.