EEK...I got a Jury Summons

Yesterday I picked my mail up from the box at the corner. Much to my horror, surprise, dismay (definition of "eek" from Oxford Dictionary,) there it was...a summons to appear for jury duty! And not just any jury duty...the grand jury of my parish (what counties are called in Louisiana.) That's the reward you get for things like voting and being an adult. You get a chance to do your civic duty.

Not that I mind, of course. I believe in this system of ours. It's not perfect in our country, but the concept of justice is perfect, in my estimation, at least. So, I made it my plan to fully embrace its challenge and learn as much as I could about what I thought I knew, but really didn't, after all. (I learned this about myself after researching...) And, after researching grand juries, there's always room for improvement in that particular system, too. I won't elaborate, but the following is a great article/abstract if you have time to read: https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/louisiana-grand-jury-its-precarious-relationship-district-attorney#:~:text=Traditionally%2C%20the%20Louisiana%20grand%20jury,the%20offense%2C%20and%20(3)

I am sixty-nine and a half years of age. This is an important fact in the process and I will disclose the reasoning later on in my explanation, but first I'd like to tell you that I have been voting since I was able to...since age eighteen. So, it's reasonable to assume, like they say, "this isn't my first rodeo."

The first time I was called to jury duty was just before finals when I was in college back in the late 80s. I promptly wrote the judge and begged the court to excuse me. Gratefully, they did. The second time was when I lived in Texas. I showed up for that call, but wasn't selected. Again, I was grateful because I was in the throes of being a nursing instructor and it would have thrown a proverbial wrench into the monkey itself had I been selected.

So, now the third time's the charm, so I will go with eager enthusiasm...I think? I'm retired. The courthouse is just a hop, skip, and a jump from my home. I don't have any obligations, so there is no hardship excuse for my missing the opportunity to serve my community. On the bottom of the summons, it states that if I were seventy years of age, then I could, (if willing,) be "permanently removed from the jury database and be excluded from future jury drawings with the district judge's approval." As of today, I lack six months in having that choice, so moot point.

I don't know how I feel about this legal preclusion. Wouldn't the court want people with more seasoning, sage, wisdom from life experience to be on juries? I know that consideration is taken for health reasons, but this might be shooting itself in the leg? Just my thoughts.

Okay, so my questions began. "What is a grand jury?" "How is it different from a trial jury?"

"A grand jury helps determine whether to bring charges against a suspect, while trial jurors render a verdict at the trial itself. Put differently, a grand jury hands down an indictment at the beginning of a criminal case. A trial jury decides guilt or innocence at the end of the trial. Not every case goes before a grand jury, and grand juries are typically used in criminal cases, particularly when felony charges are at stake. A trial jury is common for both criminal and civil cases. A grand jury is private, whereas a jury trial, known as a petit jury, is generally open to the public." https://www.findlaw.com/criminal/criminal-law-basics/difference-between-grand-jury-and-trial-jury.html#:~:text=A%20grand%20jury%20helps%20determine,the%20end%20of%20the%20trial.

Well, it seemed pretty simple to me, at first, but then it got serious (and more complicated) when I researched the history of having a grand jury in our country and it going back to our United States Constitution, Fifth Amendment:

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

There is a very interesting annotation to the 5th Amendment here: https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt5-2-2/ALDE_00013572/#:~:text=No%20person%20shall%20be%20held,the%20same%20offence%20to%20be

So, my overall understanding from this is, "in matters of a possible serious crime offense, a citizen is owed, from a pool of other citizens, (whom of which doesn't know him and swears to not be biased,) a fair chance to be determined that he has most likely OR NOT, (based on any evidence or testimony) that only the prosecutor (and NOT the defendant unless the prosecutor agrees,) has brought before them (the grand jury,) breached the law enough to be charged with said crime and face a further trial on criminal charges."

This is the actual oath that a citizen of Louisiana takes for the grand jury: “As members of the grand jury, do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will diligently inquire into and true presentment make of all indictable offenses triable within this parish which shall be given you in charge, or which shall otherwise come to your knowledge; that you will keep secret your own counsel and that of your fellows and of the state, and will not, except when authorized by law, disclose testimony of any witness examined before you, nor disclose anything which any grand juror may have said, or how any grand juror may have voted on any matter before you; that you will not indict any person through malice, hatred, or ill will, nor fail to indict any person through fear, favor, affection, or hope of reward or gain; but in all of your indictments you will present the truth, according to the best of your skill and understanding?” https://www.ambeaulaw.com/about-ambeau-law/grand-jury#:~:text=P.-,art.,no%20duty%20to%20do%20so.

Interesting to note, "Louisiana is one of 23 states that use grand juries for indictments in serious crimes. In 25 other states, a grand jury indictment is optional in the prosecution of serious crimes. Two states, Connecticut and Pennsylvania do not use grand juries in criminal indictments but use them for investigative purposes." https://www.wafb.com/story/36966860/what-is-a-grand-jury-and-how-does-it-work/

So, I will know next month when I appear to the courthouse via my summons, if in fact, I will be selected to serve a term on the grand jury, which consists of a six month commitment. If so, the perks would be getting $50 a day for each day served, if and when required during that term. Not bad for a retiree!