At YOUR SERVICE

KERRE IS CALLED UP TO DO HER CIVIC DUTY AND SHE COULDN’T BE HAPPIER!

For years, I’ve been waiting. Obviously, if my numbers were to come up, I’d rather it was in a Lotto draw, but being called for jury duty would be the next best thing.

During my time on talkback, people have shared their experiences of serving on juries and I’ve always wanted to be one of them. Not because I have any romantic notions of courtrooms. I sat through a number of trials as a junior reporter years and years ago, so I know real-life courtroom dramas bear no relation to the nonsense you always see on the telly.

My reporting experience gave me a healthy respect for our justice system. Certainly, there are flaws, but when it comes to jury trials, I’ve always been impressed by how seriously people take their responsibilities. Like them, I have been ready and willing to do my civic duty for years – and finally, I had my opportunity.

My name came up in the ballot and I was asked to present myself to the Auckland District Court at 8.45am on Monday. I had no idea what to expect. The letter told me that I should be prepared to make myself available for trials that could last up to six weeks and that sent me into a spin. I’m heading off to see Baby Bart to celebrate his first birthday and while I was willing to serve, I didn’t want to cancel my flights to London. I had three weeks, not six – I was just hoping that the court officials would be sympathetic.

They were. In fact, they couldn’t have been nicer.

They said they’d make a note of my departure and in the meantime, I should take a seat. I was astonished by the number of people gathered in the jurors’ holding pen. There were probably 200 people there, of all ages and from every ethnic background you could imagine.

I found a seat down the back and sat through a couple of instructional videos, then the process began. Twenty-five names would be pulled from the ballot box for the first trial on the list, from which 12 people would be selected for the jury.

I was thrilled when my name was called out. I don’t know why – it’s a random process. I suppose it’s a hangover from my school days where you lived in terror of being chosen last to make up a sports team – or not chosen at all. Two of the people sitting around me – a retired man and a 19-year-old apprentice – were also called, and we began chatting amongst ourselves.

The process continued as a pool of potential jurors was found for two other trials, then we were escorted to our courtroom. The judge appeared and then the defendant, and it all got very real.

Then there was a second ballot, but this time I didn’t make it. Those of us who missed the cut went back to the holding pen and more waiting.

After about 15 minutes, about 50 names were called and these people were thanked for their time and asked to report back the next day.

That left about 30 of us in the room and we were told we were free to go. We wouldn’t be required at all. I asked why and it was because the next trial was scheduled for eight weeks. We’d all indicated that a trial of that length of time would be a problem. I had spent more time selecting my courtroom wardrobe than I had in the actual court! I was torn. On one hand, I was relieved that I would make my flight to London, on the other, I had been looking forward to being a part of such an important process.

Still, I could be called again. Some of the people I’d met on the day had been called multiple times. I’ll know next time to bring a book, but I’d be more than happy to do it again.

‘ I was thrilled when my name was called. I don’t know why – it’s a random process’