Day Eight (Monday, 2/23): Today I was supposed to report for jury duty, but alas the courts are closed. Now, many of you might think: “Lucky!” But I am actually super bummed about this. I have been waiting to be summoned for jury duty for 24 years.

I grew up a child of the courts. Not in the way that might sound; my father was a judge. I was seven years old when my dad was sworn in as a Superior Court judge in Arizona; at the time, the youngest ever to serve on the bench. I remember visiting his court room, his chambers, his office, and the “secret hallway” that took him from his office to the courtroom. It all seemed very important and very exciting to a young girl.
I also remember my mom taking us to “watch” my dad work, and then having to quickly squirrel us out of the courtroom, because my brother and I started laughing at his “judge voice,” which was so much different from the voice and personality my dad had at home.

(Years later I would be reminded of this at a book signing. I had taken James with me, and he watched carefully as I spoke and listened to each person who approached my table. About halfway through, he asked - while looking at the line of people - “Mom, when all these people leave, will you go back to being my mom?” I must have been using my “author voice,” like my dad had his “judge voice,” and James wanted to make sure I was still his mom. It was very sweet…)

But back to my thwarted jury duty. The first time I was summoned to jury duty was 1996. I had graduated from Notre Dame, but I wasn’t yet teaching full time. I had just recovered from my 6th back surgery (the one where I kept my rods-turned-windchime), and thought I’d make the perfect juror: I had all the time in the world, serving on a jury wouldn’t be a hardship, and I had grown up in a household that had the utmost respect for the justice system. I had loved listening to my dad talk about his cases, why he ruled the way he did, why the jury returned the verdict they did, and many discussions about which political candidates would appoint the best Justices. That was the way my dad voted; not along party-lines, not for his “favorite” candidate, but for the candidate who he believed would appoint the best Justices for our state/country. I grew up with a deep respect respect for - and belief in - our legal system.
When I reported to jury duty in 1996, I was taken into Judge Ryan’s courtroom for a case that involved murder, drugs, and prostitution. I was ready. Then the bailiff waved to me. And the court reporter did too. And the clerk. I was in my dad’s old courtroom. He wasn’t there, but his former staff was now serving Judge Ryan.
Dismissed.
Dang it!

I had to wait 24 years to be summoned again. In Maryland, you are summoned for a week. My week was March 23-27, 2020. I blocked it on my calendar. I was asked to present at a conference on March 27 in Virginia, and I offered them a June date instead. I was ready. Then the virus waved me off. Dang it!

There are significantly worse casualties than not being able to serve on a jury. But I certainly hope I don’t have to wait another 24 years to be summoned again.
Cases in the US: 43, 214