Brad Bits: February 6, 2025
It has been several weeks since my last blog post. I have been staying connected, networking, reading, researching, and flying (working on my commercial pilot certificate). I recently completed jury duty, which prevented me from attending the SANS CTI Summit in Washington, D.C. last week. Today’s blog post, I am going to share with you my experience.
This was a unique opportunity, as I am typically excused during “voir dire” given my law enforcement background. Initially, I was disappointed to be selected; however, that quickly changed once the jury selection process began and the judge informed us that it was a civil trial with a brief summary of the case. I was all in.
Attorneys from both the plaintiff and defendant questioned prospective jurors, and by lunchtime, the jury had been selected. After opening arguments by both sides, we had a recess and were sequestered in our jury room. As I began to converse with my fellow jurors and learn about their backgrounds and expertise, I quickly realized the diverse perspectives and skills that each of us would bring to this case. The mission became clear, and each juror understood the weight of their responsibility while acknowledging the privilege of serving. As a U.S. citizen and registered voter, I felt a solemn duty and privilege to fulfill my oath and duties associated with jury service.
In this civil litigation case, the plaintiff, a small business owner, sought compensation for property damages allegedly caused by the defendant, the state, due to the defendant’s disregard for an automatic traffic signal. This traffic accident occurred four years ago during the pandemic, and the case presented an opportunity to examine the impact of supply chain disruptions costs and loss of revenue.
As the jury, we unanimously ruled in favor of the plaintiff in this case and determined the monetary value of the damages. Serving as the presiding juror was an honor, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve with my fellow jurors. After reaching a verdict, I signed the verdict and informed the bailiff of our decision. Subsequently, we were assembled in the courtroom, and I presented the verdict to the bailiff, who read it aloud to the judge. Our unanimous decision was based on the evidence presented at trial and the facts of the case.
Overall, this experience provided me with valuable insights into a new functional role within the judicial system, which I can now add to my professional resume. I was particularly appreciative of the judge’s time after the verdict to speak with us in the jury room to express gratitude for our service and solicit feedback on our experience.
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