Few sitting judges get to serve on a jury. I became the exception to the rule. I had the privilege to serve on a criminal jury, and it was a wonderful experience.
Lawyers and judges often wonder what really goes on in the secrecy of the jury room. I am here to report that my fellow jurors were everything our Founding Fathers hoped they would be. Every juror strove to do impartial justice. The defendant was truly presumed innocent. Every word of testimony, every instruction from the judge and the arguments of the lawyers were taken to heart by each juror.
Not only did I have the opportunity to see the jury at work, but I got to see the system work. I got to observe my colleague, Judge Scott Minter, conduct a very fair trial with a firm but gentle hand. The lawyers zealously represented their clients but were also professional and respectful of the jury and each other.
When it came time to deliberate, the jury could not have taken its responsibilities more seriously. Justice for both the victim and the accused were at stake. All the testimony and each instruction by the judge were considered carefully. Every juror participated in the discussion. The state brought a number of charges. We convicted on the most serious charge but acquitted on the others.
My jury experience was rewarding, but like it is for most citizens, jury duty was inconvenient. I had to scramble to get cases in my own court covered. I had to get to my office early to keep things going in Probate Court and sprint upstairs to be in the jury room by 9 a.m. Like my fellow jurors, I did it because it was my duty. But it was also a privilege. I was happy to serve in this role.
In sum, I left the trial with a renewed pride and confidence in our jury system. I have the utmost respect for each of my fellow jurors who were willing to interrupt their week and take a couple of days to make sure our system worked. If our forefathers had been in Judge Minter’s courtroom, they would have been pleased that their grand experiment in ordered liberty turned out so well.
Whitfield County Probate Court Judge Sheri Blevins