the early bird gets a pass.

[mopinko]

so, i had this thread about my jury duty yesterday. i thought about adding this comment there, but thought it had a wider meaning-

so, i had jury duty at the cook county courthouse in downtown chicago. although i would not have minded serving, we do have a primary coming up here, and my candidates would have. so, like everyone, i was hoping to duck being chosen for a trial.
i had to be there are 8:30, but dh works downtown, so i rode the train down with him, and got there a little after 8. things were still quiet when i got there, security was a breeze, and the juror's room was mostly empty. i was sort of surprised to be given a panel number of 45. but i thought, hmmm. nice high number. maybe i win.
this panel, tho, was about the 4th panel called. hmm. apparently, panels are attached to the trials on the docket, and you go when you trial is called. random. ok.
so, the 20 of us report to the courtroom. after sitting around for an hour, during which time i assume the lawyers were trying to settle, the judge finally appeared. he takes out the stack of summonses, and calls people one by one to sit in the jury box for questioning. 12 names, none mine, phew. 6 are chosen, 6 leave. 12 more names called, none mine, phew again. i figure i am free, and i am. the names of the chosen are read, the names of the rejected are read, and for the record, the names of us last 6 who were spared are also read. mine is the last to be read.
i wonder at my luck all the way home. then i realize- the summonses had been stacked by panel as the jurors arrived. i was last because i was first.
woohoo. virtue prevails. it's nice to see that happen every once in a while.