Off the Mark by Mark Parisi for June 26, 2015

I’ve heard of all sorts of ruses and schemes to get out of jury duty. It makes no sense to me. Trial by jury, within an independent judicial system, is a cornerstone of democracy. Without it, the State incarcerates anyone they dislike. You end up with Russia or China. I would be delighted to serve on a jury, but every time I’ve been called there has either been no trial because of plea deals, or I’ve been challenged because my sister is an attorney. She doesn’t practice criminal law, and isn’t even a litigator, but no matter. The last time I went I was literally the only man wearing a jacket and tie. I was struck, and saddened, by the obvious lack of respect for our courts and our system of justice. It does not augur well for the future of this “great experiment.”