Today was very much like yesterday.

I got to go in 30 minutes later because my group didn’t need to watch the orientation video, so I stopped for a cup of tea on my way to the courthouse.

Different people gave us similar instructions, and then the TV came on and the waiting began.

During “The Price is Right” as they were filling up Contestants’ Row, I realized we were just like the audience members, waiting to “Come on down!”

Only we wouldn’t be trying to win a new washer and dryer.

They came with the first announcement a little earlier today. It was just after 10 a.m. when they called 25 potential jurors. I was not one of them, so I returned to my book.

A little after 11:30, one of the judges came to speak to us and explained why so many of us were called in today. It initially seemed like my group would have been exempt today since half of this week’s potential jurors were called in yesterday.

There was the possibility of two multi-day trials on the docket. One was a rape case involving DNA evidence. The other was a murder case with a 16-year-old defendant, who was also accused of setting the body on fire.

Had these defendants requested trials rather than give guilty pleas, the judges would have needed to interview a lot of jurors. Thus the full waiting area.

I am certainly glad they didn’t go to trial.

After this announcement, we were released for the day. I was home before noon.

I’m not totally off the hook yet, though. I don’t have to go in tomorrow, but I can be called in on Monday if my number comes up.

I’ve had a great experience this week with jury duty. But I haven’t had to actually do anything. I got to read in the morning, and was able to connect to my office network early enough that my missed time in the office hasn’t put me behind. It’s been almost like a vacation.

I kind of assumed cases we might encounter would be simple. Not rape and murder. It’s scary knowing I could end up hearing that kind of case!