katThis week I was on a Jury for a DWI case.
Coincidentally, and as I mentioned in last week’s blog, I recently went to an addiction treatment center’s luncheon featuring guest speaker Brene Brown.
When I was summoned for Jury Duty, I contemplated finding an excuse not to go and boy were my friends and coworkers good at finding excuses for me (lol!) One of my friends says she gets the notice every year and just throws it in the trash. However, I decided to go anyway, just for the experience. I woke up at the crack of dawn to get ready and threw on my cutest court outfit-I may have looked like a lawyer myself. The registration process, though surprisingly smooth, was a bit chaotic. Parking was hard to find, I had to get up to the 9th level, and there were crowds of people swarming to the building, going in different directions, all from various ethnicities and walks of life. We had to go through a security check-in.
Once I was registered I took a seat and as I ate my rice cakes, I watched people going in and out. I laughed at the thought of people watching me sit there while eating my rice cakes. Then finally around 9:30 am they closed the assembly doors and forced us to watch a funny video explaining the process of jury duty, its value, and finally what everyone really cared about most-how we’d get paid. Then they split us into assigned court rooms. About 30 of us were called up to the front of the assembly and were informed we were assigned a criminal case. Then a female security guard escorted us outside the assembly room.
“I’m half asleep so if I say your name wrong just go with it!” she said and proceeded to sternly call our names out and handed us badges.
I turned to the elderly woman next to me and said, “I was hoping for civil not a criminal court, especially since it’s my first time.”
“Just say you’re all for the death penalty and that’ll take you out of the running! That’s what I’ll say.” We both laughed and I wondered if she’d actually say something crazy like that.
The security guard then escorted us to the juvenile courts building. Once in the courtroom we were informed the case involved a DWI and the prosecution and defense explained to us some of the relevant information of the case, as well as questioned each juror about their opinions on drinking and driving. Questions ranged from, “How often do you drink?” to “On a scale of 1-4, how harshly do you feel DWI cases should be prosecuted?” Some of the jurors were pretty outspoken about their point of views, some believed it shouldn’t be persecuted as much, while others believed it should. Some drank, some didn’t drink at all.
Then the lawyers began choosing their jurors and surprise surprise ‘moi’ was chosen. I was like “shizzle man things are getting real” and not gonna lie my excitement turned to dread because I didn’t know what I got myself into.
Both sides presented their initial arguments. The state’s lawyers were two women, and the defense lawyers were two men. They began their initial arguments and brought in the first witness, the cop involved in the case. It was a really interesting experience! It was kinda funny watching the lawyers address the judge and each other using all sorts of honorifics and lawyerly language. I loved hearing, “Objection, your honor!” Those moments were spicy.
Well to save you some time, I’ll summarize the rest of what occurred. After much deliberation over two days, multiple spicy arguments, 3 different thorough witness questionings, and a few curse words (note: there was a f-bomb dropped during the video evidence that was frequently referred to for some reason)-finally, it was the jury’s turn to go back for some deliberation.
At this point even though we’d only spent two days together, I felt really close to the other jurors like I knew them. I guess the common experience brought us close together. I felt we had this level of comfort and understanding of each other; even though we all had different opinions and beliefs we respected each other. I wondered, how often do people from different walks of life and different ages come together to decide the fate of a human being? No wonder jury duty reality shows are so popular.
The fate of this young girl was truly in our hands and it was hard not to feel sympathy for her, especially as one of her most embarrassing moments was displayed to the public. A moment that perhaps doesn’t really truly define her.
She was a beautiful girl and I wish I could learn more about her, outside of this situation. I forgot to mention we were called back the next day and that’s when they interviewed the next 2 witnesses: the guy who took the blood sample, and the blood analyst.
Once all the arguments were made we were escorted to the back. We reviewed all the evidence and discussed for about a good thirty to forty five minutes, whether we all agreed without a reasonable doubt that she was guilty of drinking while driving.
One of the jurors mentioned how insane it is that a few people have to agree on the verdict and decide someone’s fate. He mentioned how easy it’d be for a charismatic, charming juror to come and completely sway an entire group. Though I agree and I’m sure there are many faults in our justice system because as we know innocent people are falsely accused and imprisoned all the time- I did appreciate the thorough questioning of the witnesses. I realize in America due process, and ‘innocent until proven guilty’ is very important. We’re also very individualistic, other countries have a more collectivistic mindset. In other countries, people can easily be thrown into jail or prison without a fair trial. In this case, it seemed as the prosecution and defense were trying to ensure the credibility of the evidence, poking holes in it where possible- to prove no funny business or tampering took place.
None of us knew what her exact punishment would be though we were familiar with the high fines and the effect this could have on her record especially because in the evidence videos she mentioned being a criminal justice major.
It was crazy because during our mid-week service my pastor said something very related to drunk driving.
He said “Entrust your heart to the Lord if not you will change a good destiny to a destiny of death by taking action following your heart, state of mind, atmosphere, and mood given at each moment.
People take action at each moment according to their heart and mood due to their anger, ignorance, rage, and feelings. When a person faces a moment when they must decide on their destiny- if they endure and remain patient, even if they’re angry or upset in their heart things will be resolved after a short time passes. However, if you think wrong and decide according to your anger because you’re angry and in a bad mood you will travel down a path where your destiny tilts toward death.
All of you must make your hearts by completely melting the Lord Jesus Christ heart into your heart. Ppl do as they do because they fail to control their own hearts, and this is true for deeds that are habitual. If you want to control your heart you must cut out the wrong heart.
Pray so you don’t do things according to your thoughts and work hard to control your heart with the Holy Spirit and the word. Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.
The heart is the source of life. You should not do things only because they give you joy. On the other hand, just because you’re suffering you should not blame others and do things according to your own heart. If you fail to do that a lot of suffering will come, even eternal suffering.
People do something in the moment based on their mood not knowing that moment can change their destiny. People are so fickle and quick tempered. We fail to realize how a mistake can have big consequences.
Although all of us felt sympathetic for her and her situation. Someone said she felt so bad because her life is in our hands. I also expressed this feeling of wanting to vote “not guilty” only because I wish she didn’t have to face such difficulties as a result of her actions. However, a man-who I believe may have been Christian too-said he doesn’t see it that way. He said it’s like when he has to discipline his kids because they didn’t listen to him; it’s for their own good. He said he’d rather be disciplined than let off easily. I can relate to that. Sometimes people only realize after being judged that they are walking down the wrong path…
So we all decided the state proved their case. Unfortunately, she admitted to drinking and driving in the video and her blood work showed she was twice above the legal limit. It was something that couldn’t be ignored. We all hoped this would ensure she wouldn’t drink and drive again and were grateful she didn’t hurt anyone.
Still, I felt for her. At the end one of the jurors wrote down our conclusion and it was handed to the judge- who then read the verdict in everyone’s presence. The lawyers on the defense side asked us to raise our hand if we believed she was guilty- so we did and every single person raised their hand.
I could compare what I experienced through this case to faith.
For one, I realized I was once in her shoes, spiritually speaking. Before coming to Christ, I had committed endless horrible sins. Acts that I feel so ashamed of when I think of them now, but serve as a reminder that the Lord is so loving and forgiving. God is a just judge, the most merciful juror, and the best lawyer.
I once sat in between two paths: Heaven and Hell. Satan, the prosecutor, had all the evidence of my sin- I incriminated myself to the point it could not be denied that I was a sinner and one of the biggest ones too.
Jesus, my defense, came to my rescue and though he recognized all the evidence of my sin- in his great love and compassion he fought fiercely for my spiritual freedom.
I imagine, after much deliberation between Satan and Jesus, my trial went something like this,
Satan probably said something like “Look at all the sin she’s committed, all her immorality, idolatry, and disobedience. She’s clearly a sinner- she doesn’t deserve to live. She’s mine.”
Jesus in his kindness ended everything with a few words, “You’re right but my sacrifice will redeem her. She belongs to me now. I’ve chosen her.”
I am so glad Jesus saved me and did not judge me based on my bad deeds, but looked at me wholly and saw potential in me.
God is the best judge because he judges fairly and gives you many chances. He never stopped fighting for me.
God surely judges us according to our deeds, but he never judged me to the severity my deeds deserved. That I can say without a doubt.
God is a God of second chances.
If I could speak to that young woman I think I would testify to her about that. I imagine she must feel bitter about the verdict, or maybe she knew it was coming, but I hope she knows Jesus would never misjudge her. I hope she knows how much he loves her.
I prayed for her. I think she will be ok.
Then we were dismissed and we said goodbye. “Have a nice…life!” I said to one of the jurors when I had to go because I reached my floor in the parking garage. It felt a little bittersweet; I love people so much. I hope life will treat them all well.
So my friends…the last thing I want to convey to you is: Let’s be just and let’s treat one another and God really well. Let’s discern and judge accurately and do righteous deeds so that we can live in God’s embrace forever. Let’s bring our sins to him who has the power to save us from the grasp of the devil and trust that Jesus is merciful and loving more than anyone else.
Remember one thing: God is a God of mercy. We can always go to him. So bring your case to him. Bring your burdens and weariness to him. Learn from him. For he is gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your soul in him.
