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The comments coming in are fascinating and deep, much appreciate the thought and care going into them. They continue to shape my thinking and I'm sure others, very big thanks. s

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I agree with all your points, Seth. Thank you, this was well worth sharing. I had little idea what others thought about jury service. I've been called three times, and needed on the day twice (in NJ and MA). Each of those was an interesting and valuable adventure into learning how something that is vital for our society really works. The confidence it builds in a robust, independent legal, process strengthens our confidence in democracy.

I think there are two other dimensions to all this that are well worth highlighting.

The process only works well because most or all participants have a deep respect for the judge. The judge takes the jury in his hand, and educates them on their value, purpose and boundaries. The judge's clarity builds jurist confidence. The in-room discussions regularly refer back to the judge's direction. If we collectively lose faith in the judiciary, the jury process will crumble. I hope the Supreme Court (and the Senate) can refocus and understand this.

Juries shape our society in significant ways. The process is way too cumbersome for every disagreement to go through. It works best by faith, reference and deterrence. Everyone's belief in its rigor deters a multitude of transgressions and leads to many more civil settlements. Jury decisions set and move the boundaries for how our society's rules are shaped, interpreted and enforced, all the way from the behaviors of global mega-corporations to those of a cop or official in our home town. They also do this in the more subtle matters of inter-cultural understanding and equity. The focused listening in a jury discussion is truly deep and palpable. We are able to both teach and learn a lot as jurists. This power and role is another great reason to participate proudly!

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Hi, Seth, and thank you for this eloquent defense. I largely agree with you, though (I've served probably five or six times by now) occasionally I've also felt a bit used by the system and wondered if more pressure should have been applied to the parties involved, to settle in one of those cases.

But I believe deeply in our jury system and I think you rightly speak of both defendant and victim rights, and the privilege of our having some say in their cases.

I realized how much influence we are given one morning as I was driving downtown to the court (I live in San Diego); stopped at a light, I watched the pedestrians cross and suddenly recognized one: the plaintiff in the case I was serving on. The thought came to mind, "I have power over you, fellow!" Very strange feeling.

I agree with Dave Doolittle below about the larger civic duty, and I wish more people felt it. Right on, Dave! I feel we have lost that care for each other we used to have - we are all in this together and jury duty has sure shown me more about my fellow citizens and their lives.

Sadly, I do have to note that I, too, have groaned at receiving a jury summons; after serving on one that lasted a month, I got a bit jaded, even as I found it fascinating once I was in court each day.

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Excellent. Thanks Seth. Please give me a few minutes - and perspective - of your time to discuss dune shacks. We have had differences of opinion in the past on the subject but I value your thoughts. Peter Clemons.

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I concur wholeheartedly! In my time, I have only had to serve on a jury once, but found it to be everything you have said.

Above this lies the notion of a larger civic duty, the duty to our "fellow man", to look out for each other and care for each other. Americans who think that it should be "every man for himself" are mistaken. We are each others angels. Together, we make a society and a country we can be proud of.

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