Jury Duty

I am at jury duty. I am jammed in a room so full of people we are literally elbow to elbow. We are all bored. Some people are sleeping, some are reading, some are making small talk. We are, and I quote the judge "the lynchpin of the judicial system". I think maybe that was a poor choice of words on his part, but if he is even half as bored as I am, I forgive his lack of better vocabulary.

I unerstand the importance of an impartial jury. I understand that every person should have the right to defend themselves to the people that decide their fate; people that have no vested interest in the outcome.  I staunchly support that. What I do not understand is how squishing 100+ people in a room that is not reasonable size makes a jury impartial. It makes a pissed off mass of humanity. Sitting here, literally rubbing elbows with strangers, I do not see impartial people. I see bored people, irriated people, people that may need a jury themselves at some point.  Not one person is enthusiastically cheering on the judicial system. Most are annoyed that some dumbass got arrested for something that warrants a trial. Impartial that is not.

I will admit that this could be an excellent people-watching opportunity. Since we are all so packed in, however, it would most likely come off as creepy. "Did you see the lady in the pink sweater and black skirt just looking around all day?  She didn't open her book or play with her phone or nothing. She skeeved me out a little."  So instead, I read a little, play with my phone a little, observe a little. I'm pretty sure an extra-marital affair is brewing a few people down from me.