I am happy to report that I have nearly fulfilled my civic duty. I have been in the jury pool for the local court for the last few months. My time as a potential juror will be ending at the end of the month.
I have received notice several times that I may have to serve on a trial. Each time the thin letter arrived from Cook County Court Administration, I worried that I would be called to a trial. Several times the matter was settled. No need to come spend time at the courthouse.
However, my luck did not hold. At the middle of November, I was told to report to the courthouse at 12:30 p.m.—on a Wednesday. For those that know Cook County News- Herald operations, that is one of our busiest days. Our deadline for submissions is Tuesday. In theory on Wednesday News-Herald staff has all the information and photos needed to layout the paper.
I say in theory because that seldom happens. On Wednesday we may have a couple of stories completed and a dozen ads done. There are always gaps to be filled in articles, photos needed to accompany stories and last minute adjustments to be made to ads. Wednesday is a very hectic and long day.
So being called to jury duty and having to take several hours out of my day was a bit stressful.
Upon arrival, jurors were greeted warmly and directed to the commissioners’ room where a video was shared about what to expect as a juror. Over and over it was stressed how important it is to serve as juror, to be part of our democracy by playing a role in the judicial system. The 20-some people in the room were reminded that if we or one of our family members were for some reason accused of a crime, we would want a reasonable person like ourselves to serve as juror.
I understand that and I want to be a responsible citizen. In fact I did so about 20 years ago. It was a difficult case and I feel a bond with the people that I served with.
So I am willing to be a juror— just not on Wednesday, and even worse, Thursday. Thursday morning, after a very late night at the office, we are doing our final proofing, final corrections and frequently final frantic calls for information to complete a story or caption.
My heart sank when Court Administrator Kim Shepard said the trial we had been called for was scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
After the video, we were herded up to the courtroom where the random selection was made to determine who would be on the jury. My name was called and I dutifully took my seat in the jury box. My mind was not on the case before us at all. All I could think about were the people back at the News- Herald who were waiting for me to come finish my part of the newspaper so they could do their jobs.
Judge Michael Cuzzo is really a good guy. The question and answer portion of jury selection was interesting with questions about work and hobbies, etc. It put people at ease and I actually learned things I didn’t know about the friends and neighbors seated in the jury box with me.
Finally the question I had been waiting for was asked. Judge Cuzzo asked if there was anyone who could not fulfill his or her civic duty for compelling reasons. Inconvenience was not a compelling reason, he stressed.
I nervously raised my hand and requested to be excused, explaining that it was the Cook County News- Herald deadline day. I said it would be extremely difficult to focus on attorney arguments and evidence when all I could think of was all the unfinished articles sitting on my desk and computer desktop.
The judge was not easily swayed. He asked if there was anyone who could cover for me. Sadly, I told him no. I explained we are a very small office and everyone is already busy with their own tasks. It takes a great deal of pre-planning and juggling to take time away on Wednesday and Thursday.
I pleaded that I would be happy to come back on any other day. But Wednesday and Thursday were crucial to getting the paper out on the newsstands.
The judge persisted and asked what would happen if he refused to excuse me. I said that would mean that I would end up working all night to get the paper finished, along with a co-worker who was already waiting for me.
Finally, Judge Cuzzo asked if it would be the end of the world if there were no paper that week. I was moved and tickled by the response from friends in the courtroom. There was a gasp of alarm at the thought of no News-Herald.
I replied that I was unaware of a time in the 124-year history of the Cook County News-Herald that the paper was not published. I would not want to be the cause of breaking that impressive record, I told him.
Judge Cuzzo smiled and replied, “You wouldn’t be. I would.”
I was resigning myself to a couple of long, stressful days when Judge Cuzzo finally said he would grant my request—with the caveat that I rearrange my schedule so I could serve on the next trial— scheduled for Friday and Monday of the next week—if called upon.
I did. Friday and Monday are “doable.” I had to reschedule a few interviews and do some work in the evening to prepare, but when I was called into the jury box on Friday, I was ready to serve.
It was an interesting experience and I’m proud to have been able to fulfill my civic duty. If called, I encourage you to participate. I would do it again. Just not on Wednesday or Thursday, please!
When you go into court you are putting your fate into the hands of twelve people who weren’t smart enough to get out of jury duty.
Norm Crosby
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