A day at courthouse in Downtown Dallas
It happened sometime in October 2003 and I wrote this letter in December 2003 as part of Texas Association of the Deaf newsletter. I figure you guys who didn’t received newsletter - will find this one very interesting. Enjoy!
A day at courthouse in Downtown Dallas
For past few years when I received jury duty letter and I contacted them right away (you can call or email) and let them know I needed an interpreter. It’s always no problem but I never made the final pick into jury duty. Finally I made it into jury duty for first time last October 2003 at Dallas County Courthouse. Unfortunately, it did not go as smooth as I expected. Not exactly. I knew it have been re-scheduled when I email and let them know about interpreter. They did not mail me postcard but they email me back that I need to show up on new date. I forgot all about it till the day before jury duty day. I was working night shift but I managed to get off early so I can go home and get ready for courthouse. I arrived at jury duty waiting room on time and both interpreters’ shows up on time too.
On my jury duty letter, it was number #10, which I have very good chance to get into jury duty, but I did not think of anything because I always did not make it in the past. By noon, both lawyers handpicked me as 7th juror. The case is about minor car accident settlement and they only need 7 jurors. A judge said he expected this case to finish same day. Everything went pretty good except I am getting tired and sleepy. Of course I am exciting about it but struggle staying wake rest of the afternoon. The defense is Vietnaman and she have translator with her too.
My interpreters and I really have no idea if foreign translator is certified or not because the way they translated, it was terrible. As a juror, I am not allows to get involved — there’s nothing we can do. It was interesting to watch them anyway. Finally, we went to juror room and decide what we are going award ‘monetary’ for damaged, health care expense, and all that. I�ve gotten pretty dead but was able to stay activities as much as possible. The prosecutor awarded approximately $6,000 to cover all expenses. It is positive rewarding for me and I hope I can get into jury duty again with bigger case in near future. I managed to stay awake for 24+ hours. Not smart. I will have to be more preparing next time. No question about it! I want to thank both interpreters from Deaf Action Center of Dallas for provide awesome service and keep it professional all the times during the day.
For more information about Dallas County courthouse, go to http://www.dallascounty.org/