Most of us react with disgust when we thumb through the mail and see that dreaded "IMPORTANT: Jury Summons Enclosed." It typically means phone calls with fingers crossed in hope that your number is not called, and, if your number is called, sitting in a muggy room with a fantastic cross section of American idiocy. Ghastly.But here's a shocker for you all: I actually like the idea of serving jury duty. Aside from the fact that it gets my depressed and unemployed arse out of the house for a day or two, it also pays. But that is pale in comparison to the fact that you have the power to fight back against the tide of "Hang 'Em High!" morons that seem to forget that your fellow man is innocent until proven guilty. The state has to prove that the defendant committed a crime, and so many people seem to forget that this is the basis of American justice. The burden of proof is not on the heads of the accused.
Last time I served on a jury, I had to remind my fellow jurors of this, at least several times. When all was said and done, we came to the conclusion that the state did a piss-poor job at proving anything other than the prosecutor being a Hang 'Em High! Dunce. Welcome to Gitmo, NY.
Okay, that last comment was harsher than necessary. But is it that much of a stretch? The mentality of the prosecution and law enforcers being to get the guy behind bars no matter whether or not the state has enough evidence to actually prove he did a damn thing? The worst part is that the people fall for it. An accusation is not proof. With the crimes that make the headlines these days, we need to be especially careful. The first thing that comes to mind when we hear the expression "sex offender" is of some ghoulish pervert that has done indescribable pain to another human being. Before we saddle someone with such a life-ruining tag, we better make damn f#cking sure they actually did something to warrant being haunted and hated forever by those around him/her.
So, my fellow Americans, be not miserable when that letter arrives. Bear in mind that someone may be innocent, and it's your job to make sure the state doesn't simply tell you whether or not your fellow man is a criminal. Be skeptical, be watchful, and be critical of everything you see and hear. It's your civic duty; perform it with some pride.
