Jury duty ain’t that bad. A day at the Mecklenburg courthouse

I received a scary looking letter from our state government two months prior asking me to be there or be square. The next steps included telling my supervisor at a local art institution, marking my calendar – because it’s so that not something you want to forget – and waiting for the night before to call in to see if I still actually had to go in the next morning. I did. The operator instructed me to be there at 8 a.m., park in the correct parking deck and to wear business casual clothes.

The Randall Kerrick police shooting trial had wrapped up just a few weeks before with the jury not able to come to a verdict, and I was a little apprehensive about having to perform my civic duty that morning. Walking into the courthouse, I waited in line while two security guards managed the metal detector and the scanner – the building was clean and bright.

Walking in to the jury assembly room, I was welcomed, checked in, and asked to fill out a questionnaire: Who am I, what neighborhood do I live in, what do I do and where, how many children do I have, what they do, and if I had ever been a juror before – questions that the lawyers will use to select or not select you. The jurors area is surprisingly comfortable and swanky. There are multiple rooms each with different kinds of seating, floor to ceiling windows, a break room complete with vending machines, microwave, sink and fridge, and an office area with computers and printers for use free of charge.

After a little waiting the juror coordinator asked for our attention while she went through the important facts to know, and then played a “Welcome to Jury Duty” video from the 1990s. We all stood and were sworn in.

The room I was in had a cushioned chair and tons of magazines. About two hours later the judge was ready for us – me and 39 other people who were summoned. We were escorted by the bailiff to the courtroom and then one-by-one they called people up to sit in the 12 seats in the jury box. The plaintiff’s attorney started first asking each individual juror questions, using the personal questionnaires we filled out but also questions geared to what the case was about. Once they were satisfied, it was the defendant’s turn to question and decided whether to keep the jurors or dismiss them. Finding the “perfect group” according to the both sides took about four hours, including one 30 minute recess, and 10 dismissed jurors.

I was not selected as part of the jury, but with the little experience I do have, I can say that jury duty in Mecklenburg County ain’t so bad. If in two years I get called again, I will be equally intrigued. I can’t forget to mention, in North Carolina jurors receive a $12 stipend for their service. And my employer was very flexible with my missing a day but make sure to check with your employer about company policy and don’t forget to get your “excuse note” once you are dismissed.

What to bring to jury duty

• Book
• Tablet
• Extra sweater
• Water bottle
• Snack

Check out this link for handy information about serving on a Mecklenburg County jury.