JURY DUTIES – AND REWARDS

My mother, a retired school teacher and an avid fan of Perry Mason mysteries, had always wanted to serve on a jury (“Summoned,” Nov. 5-11) but never did.

The last five years of her life (she died at 93) she resided in a nursing home for Alzheimers patients. Conversations beyond the most basic were confusing and meaningless to her. However, during one phone conversation I told her I was discouraged because I had been summoned for jury duty.

Mom said, “Judy, think of it as an interesting experience. And think how fortunate you are to live in a country where, if you are accused of a crime, you get to be evaluated by a jury of your peers. In some countries you could be thrown in jail or worse, with no recourse whatsoever.”

I nearly dropped the phone; she couldn’t have remembered what she had eaten for breakfast. For a few brief moments the subject of jury duty brought my real Mom back again.

FEELING VINDICATED

Thank you Carmel Valley, from the mouth to the mid to the village, for the unprecedented voter turnout. You have proven that democracy is not just the domain of “wealthy land-owning families.”