An Alternate View of Our Jury System

About six months ago I received a jury summons to the Beverly Hills court. I was so excited; 10 minutes from home; Nate and Al’s for lunch; shopping.

I eagerly awaited my “week” of service. There is a call-in system now. I called Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. The message was always, “Call back the next day.” I called in Thursday, expecting the same. The message was, “You have been transferred to the Hollywood court. Please appear at 9:30 a.m. on Friday.”

When I arrived at the courthouse there were quite a few others who also had been called on their last day of jury duty. A nice clerk informed us that this would be our last day unless we were impaneled. If we were picked, we would be required to serve until the end of the trial. Many opted to postpone their jury duty rather than take the chance of going into the following week. Figuring that I would not be selected -- I am a legal secretary and legal assistant and married to an attorney -- I took a juror badge.

The first 18 prospective jurors were seated, and the judge, prosecutor and defense lawyers began to question each one. Some were eliminated, another group was chosen, more questions. It was tedious.

At 4:15, 12 jurors were impaneled. The parties had decided to select one alternate, and three names were called. I was second and figured they’d select the first person. But the other two people were eliminated and I was the alternate. My heart sank. Alternates listen to everything, sit in the “outsiders” seat next to the jury and then sit in the hallway when the jury is deliberating.

How could this have happened? I was going to be the lonely alternate on a trial that was estimated to take four days. I was angry. Why hadn’t I postponed jury service?

The trial commenced and continued for 2 1/2 days. I took copious notes. I made friends with fellow jurors, but I was the outsider. The jury was given its instructions and went into deliberations. I sat in the hallway.

The jury returned and told the judge it was hopelessly deadlocked. How could that be? I wondered; my decision on a verdict was clear. The foreperson later told me about the deliberations and how strong the jurors’ opinions had been.

My “alternate” time was over. I drove home thinking about the jurors and my own opinions. I realized how important the process was. It is frightening to know that you determine the fate of the party being tried.

It is easy to sit back and say that you will never need jurors. But no one knows when they will require the compassion, understanding and knowledge of an intelligent juror. Yes, it is an inconvenience. But what you give up to serve is minor compared with the value you’ve given to the person on trial.

I am so glad I got to be part of this system, which makes us a great and free country. This system is what should make you want to serve on a jury, even if you’re an alternate.

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Elaine Steinberg works in West Los Angeles.