When you report for jury duty in Douglas County, Colorado, after filling out more forms you watch… a video! It’s an orientation to get everyone up to speed, reduce apprehension, explain the players and what’s about to happen. This effectively imbued the jury pool with the proper mindset and respect for the proceedings. I couldn’t help but notice the similarities with visiting a chiropractor.
Granted, volitionally going to a chiropractic office is quite different that being called to jury duty, however there are some similarities.
The jurist and the patient don’t really want to be there
The jurist and the patient can be feeling overwhelm or apprehension
The jurist and the patient want to know how long the proceedings will take
The jurist and the patient want to know what will be expected of them.
Turns out, the video I watched was effective in that it addressed each issue, creating rapport and respect for the process many of us have come to take for granted in the United States.
The weak link? The Justice Department staff member who introduced the video, describing it somewhat sarcastically as a “riveting video.” Sure, she’s seen it a million times, but none of us had. I couldn’t understand why the tone.
Note to self: Make sure chiropractors who use our videos instruct and monitor their staff so as to avoid being sarcastic or apologetic. Just because they’ve heard it a hundred times, doesn’t diminish its value to the new patient. In fact, it’s only the rare new patient who will object. The overwhelming majority are appreciative, even if they don’t say anything.
Anyway, the jury selection process proceeded. The pool of 50-60 people were invited to reveal issues that might prevent them from completing their civic duty over the next week. I was struck by the incredible disruption, both personally and financially that our justice system exerts. Sure, someone was wronged or suffered at the hands of a criminal. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. To the cost of the police officers, the jails and that infrastructure, add the missed work and distractions caused by jurors being called in to adjudicate the case. The cost of an argument that gets out of hand or a tragic mistake is much larger than first meets the eye!
Oh, and I was chosen as one of the 12 jurors and 2 alternates. Who would have thunk?