The Bakersfield Voice

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I know how it feels to get that semi-regular, recognizable, rectangular piece of paper in the mail from Superior Court. First, disbelief, then dread, then we look for an excuse to get out of — yes — jury duty.

I’ve always wanted to serve, but I’ve always had an incredible knack for winning the juror lottery: I would serve my one day but never get called from the jury waiting pool. One year, I sat with a group of folks watching the Red Sox win the World Series. This year, I was all set to watch the Olympics, but something got in the way: my name on a roll sheet.

For over a week, I’ve spent each day listening to testimony and every night working on the issue of The Northwest Voice you now hold in your hands. Sure, it would have been easier to be in the office each day, easier to call jury services and ask for an extension. We’re busy people; we have other things we could do, right?

But during jury selection, the judge, growing tired of hearing excuses, put jury service in perspective. He said, “For over 200 years, men and women have fought and died to ensure Americans the right to a trial by jury.” It is our duty, he reminded us, to uphold the freedoms for which they have sacrificed.

He’s right, and no one else could say it better. Thank goodness for our inalienable rights and for those who work to protect them. Thanks for the reminder, J.B.

Jury duty isn’t so bad after all.

— Dana Martin
Voice Editor