Maybe they should call it jury privilege instead of jury duty

I’m embarrassed to admit that until I wrote a story about it, I was in the camp that dreaded jury duty. It seemed as though it would be such a huge inconvenience.

After watching a jury selection last week, and talking to folks – some who were chosen, and some who weren’t – about their experience, I’ve changed my mind

“It made me feel like I was really performing a good civic duty,” [Brooke McBride] said. “It made me appreciate if I’m ever in that seat, I’m glad that system is in place. I gained a whole new appreciation of the law.”

Bonnie Payne, 66, said she’s always felt that way about jury duty, so much so that she wishes she’d gone to law school.

“We’re a free nation that has laws and the right to a free trial,” she said. “That’s what our country is run on and it’s a privilege to be involved.”

Payne, McBride and [Missoula County Clerk of Court Shirley] Faust all repeated variations on a theme: That they’re the kind of people they’d want on a jury – fair, honest and impartial.

You can read the whole story on Missoulian.com. And remember, if you get that jury questionnaire in the mail, be sure to fill it out.

Because it’s a privilege.

Gwen Florio

(Image: attydc.com)