Dannemeyer’s Jury Duty

In response to “No Exemptions for Big Shots,” editorial, Nov. 3:

On July 18, I appeared in Room A100 at the designated time for prospective jurors. I turned in my jury summons card.

I appeared before Judge Donald E. Smallwood and related that because of my role as a deputy district attorney for 2 1/2 years, and as a legislator I had introduced legislation limiting damages in product liability cases, and having tried dozens of jury trials over the years that it was not probable I would survive a round of peremptory challenges as a prospective juror. Judge Smallwood agreed with my assessment but still denied my request. I never said or inferred that because I had been a congressman I should be excused.

I returned to the jury assembly room and awaited the assignment to a trial department. The assignment came about 10:30 a.m. and I went with the other prospective jurors to Department 42 on the 11th floor.

I took a seat in the back of the courtroom and the bailiff asked me to wait outside. I went outside and took the first vacant seat, which happened to be at the other end of the hall, about 40 yards away.

I was reading and from time to time would look up to see if we prospective jurors had been directed inside Department 42. At no time did any court personnel advise me it was time to enter the courtroom. After about one-half hour, I looked up and noticed that the other folks on the panel had entered the courtroom. I quickly did so and the judge had already begun reading some preliminary matters relating to the case and directed me to return to A100.

When I arrived back at Room A100 about 11:20 a.m., there were 35 to 40 people in line. I stayed there about five minutes and concluded with the slow passage of the line that I would not reach the clerk’s window for processing prior to noon.

I know from experience that no prospective jurors will be assigned to a trial department between noon and 2 p.m., so I made a decision to keep a luncheon speaking engagement at a service club.

The program and travel time ran longer than expected and I arrived back at Room A100 a little after 3 p.m. and turned in my card. I expected to be told to return the next day, but the clerk told me I was excused.

A few days later, I received a letter from Judge Smallwood requesting that I appear in court on Nov. 1 at 9:30 a.m.

At the beginning of the hearing Judge Smallwood stated it was for the purpose of finding out what happened to determine if steps could be taken to improve the functioning of the jury selection system.

At no time did Judge Smallwood lecture me on the responsibilities of citizenship. At no time did Judge Smallwood state that it was unfair of me to ask to be excused. At no time did I try to shirk my duty to serve as a trial juror. What I did as recounted here is not in any way an effort to avoid my responsibility as a citizen.

I admit that I was late in returning to the jury assembly room and I apologize for this tardiness. I hope my friends will forgive me for this negligence.

BILL DANNEMEYER

Fullerton