Jury Duty part 2

Well as expected - my jury group number was called for today. I was soo upset. The thought of missing Emma's kindergarten orientation was heart breaking and DH did not understand the big deal. But she is my baby, and my only girl and I want to be there for as many of her firsts as I possibly can and this one was a biggie. First time meeting her teacher, first time in her classroom, first time meeting her new classmates. I know I should feel lucky that Mitch's job is flexible enough to allow him to take off the time to take her. I tried to make the best of a bad situation, I got the camera out, gave Mitch a list of photos he was to take, laid out her outfit to wear, put her school supplies out, gave instructions on how to get to her classroom and the time. So we were covered.

I showed up for jury duty at 9am. Signed in, and sat. About 9:15 they showed us a little video about jury duty, how you are selected, how the attorny's select you for an actual juror. They handed out our juror buttons, big red buttons with white lettering that you wear at all times - so that counselors and witnesses etc know not to try and talk to you. They also gave us our juror numbers - mine was 10. There were 20 of us, in a fairly cramped little room.

My plan was to ask to be excused by the judge - even though I felt bad about asking to be let off for that reason, but the bailiff assured me that they would want my full attention on the trial - so best to mention it. But in order to ask the judge, we had to wait until we were called up into the courtroom. At about 10:00 I called Mitch to make sure he was still on track to take Emma, since he needed to leave work at 10:30 in order to get home and get her in time to make it to the orientation. I had pretty much given up on being able to go, especially after the portion of the video that showed jurors sitting around waiting and waiting and it said that we would see first hand the slow, deliberate process of the justice system - LOL. At about 5 after 10:00 they called us up to the courtroom, and the judge greeted us and then let us know that they had no need for a jury at all that day, and we would be dismissed. I was soo happy!!! He then proceeded to tell us all about jury duty, the selection process, what types of trials we might have heard...etc. As the minutes ticked away, he kept on, and then finally closed and asked for questions - and some lame brain actually asked on!! So then off the long winded judge went again!! Finally at 10:25 we were released and I was able to get ahold of Mitch just as he was getting ready to leave his office! Whew!! I'll write about her orientation and post a picture tomorrow!!