Oh darn! The apprehension of going to jury duty was probably worse than I'd thought. I had to take an Imodium.
We checked Google Maps and headed out toward Honolulu after breakfast.
It was going to be another HOT and humid day in Hawaii.
The village built for homeless by the state looked quite nice.
We arrived in Honolulu.
And then there it was...the imposing United States District Court. A line was already forming. Art dropped me off and then drove on to Ala Moana and Waikiki to spend the day.
While standing in line, I met a woman named Judy who was maybe about the same (probably younger) age as me. It turned out that she'd just been to Chicago so we had a lot to talk about. It felt like we'd known each other for a long time. She kept me company for my entire day at court.
There was a security check before entering the building which was much stricter than anything we'd experienced by the TSA. I had to smile because Judy had a bag almost equal in size to my own. They confiscated my teeny tiny folding scissors which they said I could pick up before leaving. (Those security people were as friendly and cheerful as could be.)
We were directed to a jury waiting room where our IDs and summons were checked off. A video was shown with important people like Sandra Day O'Connor telling us how important it was to have a jury of your peers to protect our rights as U.S. citizens.
I sat between a handsome, young carpenter named John on my right and my new friend, Judy on my left.
I turned on my iPhone to text Art what was happening but got NO cell connection. Arrrghhh! John on my right was texting away. Judy was texting away also. My T-Mobile was dead. John said he had AT&T but once had Sprint that had dead zones in the house but coverage in the garage. Judy said she had Verizon with her iPhone. Sigh. Judy texted Art for me to let him know what was going on.
As I was leaving for the day, I saw a sign posted that said there was free court Wi-Fi in the building. Sigh...
Tomorrow: What happened in court.
We checked Google Maps and headed out toward Honolulu after breakfast.
It was going to be another HOT and humid day in Hawaii.
The village built for homeless by the state looked quite nice.
We arrived in Honolulu.
And then there it was...the imposing United States District Court. A line was already forming. Art dropped me off and then drove on to Ala Moana and Waikiki to spend the day.
While standing in line, I met a woman named Judy who was maybe about the same (probably younger) age as me. It turned out that she'd just been to Chicago so we had a lot to talk about. It felt like we'd known each other for a long time. She kept me company for my entire day at court.
There was a security check before entering the building which was much stricter than anything we'd experienced by the TSA. I had to smile because Judy had a bag almost equal in size to my own. They confiscated my teeny tiny folding scissors which they said I could pick up before leaving. (Those security people were as friendly and cheerful as could be.)
We were directed to a jury waiting room where our IDs and summons were checked off. A video was shown with important people like Sandra Day O'Connor telling us how important it was to have a jury of your peers to protect our rights as U.S. citizens.
I sat between a handsome, young carpenter named John on my right and my new friend, Judy on my left.
I turned on my iPhone to text Art what was happening but got NO cell connection. Arrrghhh! John on my right was texting away. Judy was texting away also. My T-Mobile was dead. John said he had AT&T but once had Sprint that had dead zones in the house but coverage in the garage. Judy said she had Verizon with her iPhone. Sigh. Judy texted Art for me to let him know what was going on.
As I was leaving for the day, I saw a sign posted that said there was free court Wi-Fi in the building. Sigh...
Tomorrow: What happened in court.
I'll read the next installment from Barcelona. Sounds like your system is a lot like mine but I don't usual take the Imodium. I have it packed for this trip. Not sure how the Spanish cuisine and me will interact.
ReplyDeleteHaha. Gotta love the free wifi gotcha.
ReplyDeletewill stay posted
ReplyDeleteI was once on jury duty in the eighties. I was even the foreman. Ours was nearly a catastrophe. We almost convicted some innocent kids of murder.
ReplyDeleteGlad you made some new friends. They can help pass the time while waiting. Can't wait to see what happens.
ReplyDeleteThis is beginning to sound like a soap opera. The only time I was on a jury it was a rape trial and came down to who you believed-the victim or the perpetrator. The jury had a hard time deciding. It was not a good experience!
ReplyDeleteWe are such a complicated society it seems. Thank you for the beginning of your service and I think was we do in court is important. At least, I hope it is.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that courtroom drama in reality is nothing like it is on TV.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hear what happened in court.
ReplyDeleteGoodness.
ReplyDeleteI am learning from your experience, looking forward for the next.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Our court here doesn't allow us to have cell phones. Hope it's a positive experience. The juries I've sat on were mixed in experience. Very sad to comic.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds very interesting Kay and it's interesting they let you keep your phones. We have to turn ours over at the entrance door. Maybe they've had trouble in the past and came up with that rule. I had a letter to tell me I was on call for jury duty last year, and that my number may be picked. It wasn't so I am still waiting :)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing what happens next! Glad you made a new friend. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou sit there all day and then they send you home? They take advantage of you. Now I have to wait another day to hear the end of the story. My guess...you won't be chosen.
ReplyDeleteDistrict court is a big deal, with bigger cases. I do hate having to sit and wait all day though.
ReplyDeleteI still would need a grandchild to explain all the wifi system/problems to me.
ReplyDeleteI hope I never get picked.
ReplyDeleteAmazing.
ReplyDelete