Aside from the case of over-entitlement one potential juror suffers from, it seems most everyone else has been clear on the Juror Parking directions. The government doesn't care if you drove your beat-up Honda Civic, your immaculate Toyota Prius, your uncanny Bumblebee clone, or your hot Europian import. They do care whether you park it in a reserved parking space though. Unless you want to be ticketed, towed, or labeled a terrorist, please be smart, read the signs, and park your car in the proper parking area. The spaces have been conveniently placed (unlike the courthouses to which you are summoned) to help you have a safe, enjoyable, and satisfying visit to the halls of justice.

The last time I was selected for jury duty was a few years ago. I'm not sure if other countries follow the same selection process as Canada and the United States, but if you have a driver's license, register to vote, or claim to be a citizen (predicated upon tax payment), you are eligible to be selected to be part of a panel to pass sentance upon one of your local residents. It's a great opportunity to give back to the government, show you are upstanding member of the community, and otherwise get out of a day at work. When I was entering the courthouse I almost thought I was going somewhere special. I had my pass and my identification out for hired authorities to screen. I passed my baggage through a scanner, and I passed through a metal detector to determine if I was intending to blow-up or shoot-up the place. Since I was determined to be interested in neither, I was permitted to pass inspection.

I did, however, make the mistake of not leaving my parking pass in my vehicle. During a critical break in the legal action I rectified that injustice. My car is now safe from the all-fining pen of the local parking attendants. Now if those parking fines actually went toward caring for the delapidated parking area, I would think justice was indeed meted here.

Have you participated in jury duty? If so, what did you do to pass the time?