I recently had to fulfill my duty to society as a juror in a civil case. Let’s be honest. No one enjoys jury duty. It’s boring, frustrating, and feels like a waste of time. This time, I realized it wasn’t. To keep it brief and not delve too much into details, the judge cleverly played on my serious attitude about being a dedicated juror. From the very start, it was clear that, based on the case’s merits, the defendants were guilty and just trying to delay the process unnecessarily. This led them to settle the case within minutes. I was glad to play my part in the justice system. It felt satisfying to see them squirm and give in.

The key takeaway? Approach jury duty with a sense of responsibility, but don’t forget to enjoy the experience. Talk to people, laugh, flirt, load up your devices with reading material, catch up on emails, and make the most of your time. It won’t be wasted unless you waste it.

“What is a Yute?” - Judge Chamberlain Haller