Sandra Lou, are you any kin to Dan T. Shellito of the esteemed SOC Class of 1963? If so, he was a good guy.

The prosecutor then "invents" several cases to illustrate the law in each and ever detail and is sure to ask everyone of us if it clear and how we feel about it. From all of this it becomes clear this is an identify thief case and it depends on how many identifiers he has as to what level of offense is and what the length of sentence is available. Finally, after exhausting every possible scenario, he turns the floor over to the defense. His stories all include people who "happened" to be with lawbreakers but didn't know that a crime was taking place. He asks us how we feel about lawyers in general, lawyers who object during trials and how we feel about cops. If we ever had a bad experience with a cop and if we believed cops more than others. Also wanted to know if we could be sure something happened if we didn't see it for ourselves. About 12:20 we broke for lunch, after being warned not to discuss anything to do with this morning with anyone and to be back at 1:30 and be sure to sit in the same place. When we got back, the defense let it be known that the charge was indentity theft with over 50 IDs in possesion. A 1st degree felony punishable from 20 yrs to life. The judge went on about our judicial system and how important we were to it and thanked us again for coming. Twelve names were called. I was not among them. Out of the building at 3:30 kinda wishing they had picked me but amazed at the amount of time wasted and angry at being treated like an idiot or at least a small child being spoon fed. I think I have about 3 yrs before they will call me again, but if history repeats itself I should get a city summons in about a month.

So Jack, what happened?  How did the trial end & how many hrs or days did you have to be there???

I spent last Monday fulfilling my civic duty again. Ah, jury duty! Had to make a trip back to the car because my mini leatherman tool had a "knife" on it. Got to the room with 249 other "good" citizens, checked in and had to fill out my juror information card again because they didn't get the one I mailed them. Why do they need to know my religion or the age of my kids?? There er only two trials starting this week, so they only needed 100 of us. The computer had selected two groups of 50. The computer likes me so I was in group two. After arriving at the prescribed 8:20, being sworn in and listening to the judge praise us for our service and remind us that our is one of the few countries that try by peers, we waited while the judge listened to the people who wanted to postpone serving. He let everyone have a 30 day delay in serving. It is about 9:30 and we are told to be OUTSIDE the courtroom on the 3rd floor at 10:10. At 10:05, as the bailiff calls our names we line up to go in. No gum chewing or drinks allowed in the courtroom and all reading materials and paper on the floor under your bench. The judge comes in carrying one of those 50 oz travel cups and there is one on the bailiffs desk. First we listen to the prosecutor explain the law while the defense lawyer objects as often as possible.

Jack, same thing happened here.  The cops just threw out a spike strip, pulled the Pit maneuver and night-sticked the little guy....tough laws out here.

Boy Don, you must have been sittin' around and just waiting to spring that one....nice shot. 

JD - The El Fenix on Colorado @ Zang is still a great place!  We had a GNO there last fall & it was so much fun!  But whether you go to the Oak Cliff El Fenix or any one of them north of the Trinity, they're all good & you will get a chance to practice your Spanish in real life.  Heck, you'll get a chance to practice Spanish a LOT while here in the area.  Any landscape truck is an excellent opportunity!  

Shortcake...the 10th would be alright...a suggestion has been made to go to Colorado Blvd in Oak Cliff...Is that possible?