Courtroom Antics

It has taken few days but I think I am digesting my jury experience a little bit and can tell you that, over all, I am happy I did that, but the happiness with the experience is about 51%.

It is frustrating to me that the "system" is so slow moving.

This accident we heard about happened in 2005. The family had settled out of court with the company that was responsible for unloading these massive pipes. Of course, we don't have any detail of that settlement. So now, they were coming after the pipe manufacturer who also loaded these pipes on the truck.

It felt like they were grasping at straws as the week progressed.

It is frustrating that attorneys come in all levels of competence. You'd hope if they made it through law school, they's be good. But alas, attorneys are not all alike in skill or finesse.

It felt like this family was being represented by Larry, Curly, and Mo; Attorneys at Law. Except it was only two brothers--maybe it mas more Laurel and Hardy. I don't know for sure. But for your entertainment, as well as my sanity at the time, I jotted things in my jury notebook as these two brothers were presenting or questioning.

Here are comments I made in the juror's notebook to myself, for mental entertainment purposes--and to keep from screaming at them in reality:

"Mr. H. (the plaintiff's attorney) can't get his name correct & is getting really knit picky. He is badgering him. He's driving me nuts!!"

"Mr. H. uses 'fair and square' phrase as if it were a question of agreement; ARGH!"

"Is Mr. H. questioning a witness or just doing a live deposition reading for us? Maybe I should have brought my bongos."

"Again?! He can't get the name of witness correct. Pay attention, man!"

"Did he just use the phrase 'pray tell'? Holy Cow!"

"Blah, blah, blah--more badgering...more deposition reading..."

"'Fair and square' one more time and I think I might scream!"

"////" (hash marks counting the use of the phrase)

"More deposition quoting...blah, blah, blah...."

I suppose that there is a element of humor in the courtroom. There certainly is an element of theatrics and drama. And I don't mean just on shows like Law and Order.