A Call for Civic Responsibility

I've been on jury duty call for 3 weeks now. This is the first time I've ever been on jury duty. A lot of people hate to get called. I did not. Even though it is inconvenient, I believe it is a very important part of our way of life in the United States. Last Friday, my belief in this process was solidified by the incredible experience I had.
I was called to the court house for jury selection on Friday. I had no idea what to expect. After the long, emotionally draining day, I knew I had to tell others about the experience. All I can say is, UNBELIEVABLE.
The jury we were being considered for was a first degree murder trial that was a change of venue from another county. It had already had three mistrials because they didn't think they were able to sit an unbiased jury. Wow! The whole day was a lesson to me in our freedom and liberty here in the United States. I ended up not being selected for the jury, but I certainly left there a more educated and proud citizen of this great country. I was proud of the whole system. I know it isn't perfect. We sometimes convict people that aren't guilt - which is unforgiveable. We sometimes don't convict those who are guilty and justice isn't served for the victim(s) - which is unforgiveable. However, the overwhelming majority of times, we get it right!! When you really think about it, it is hard to wrap your brain around - at least for me. Common people, with only laymen's knowledge of the law and judicial system, live out the process and get it right!!!!
As I sat in that courtroom, answering questions and listening to the other potential jurors answer the questions, it was almost surreal. Sometimes my heart would flutter when the judge would talk about the crime and the defendent (who was sitting in the room) and I would again realize, this is REAL. This is about someones life that was cut short and someone else's life who was being tried for a crime that had ended anothers life. This defendents life would be in the hands of the jury. A conviction would mean a life sentence - either with or without the chance of parole. Again, my heart would flutter when it was discussed. I can NOT imagine if we were a state with the death penalty. What???? This wasn't TV. It was real. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced.
I was impressed by the judge, the prosecuters, the defense attorneys and my fellow potential jurors. At one point, the judge addressed the two jurors who were over 70 and said they could be excused because of age if they chose. Both agreed to stay. I was impressed. Out of the 50+ of us, there was only one person who very clearly expressed her desire to NOT be selected (and she wasn't). Everyone else, although perhaps inconvenienced, seemed to understand their role in this process was necessary for our country to live out its promise of liberty and justice for all.
I have always been patriotic - thank you to my parents - but this experience increased my love for this country exponentially. It was an experience I will not soon forgot - hopefully, I won't ever forget it. I am a better person for it, that is for sure. I thank all those people who participate in our judicial system as true and honest representatives of the process. I thank all of my fellow citizens who have ever served on a jury in an effort to bring justice to an unjust situation.
We are a lucky bunch to be citizens of this great country. I will never forget that - I hope you won't either.