5 Reasons You Should Consider It a Privilege to Perform Jury Duty [LIST]

No doubt you've experienced it by now, that sinking feeling in your gut when you open you mailbox and discover a jury summons inside. Chances are you'd prefer finding a rattlesnake in there. Despite the stigma associated with performing jury duty, it really is a rewarding experience, and here are five reasons why you happy to perform your civic duty.

The number one complaint most people have about being called for jury duty involves the inconvenience. People work, raise families and have responsibilities. This is true, but do you know what else is true? Everybody has responsibilities.

As much as some hate the idea of putting life on hold for our "one day - one trial" system, in all fairness, the person sitting next to them in the jury pool is in the same boat. We are all somebody's spouse, child, parent or guardian.

I recently wrapped up my second adventure as a juror on a criminal trial. My previous experience as a juror lasted the better part of a month. This time around, it was a little less demanding - three days. While I served on a jury in Mesa County, a former President of the United States was busy performing his civic duty elsewhere.

Would you be surprised to learn that most people walk away from jury duty feeling it have been a positive experience?

Here are five reasons why you should feel it be a privilege to serve on a jury.

• Jury service can help demystify the system, and build a knowledge as to how our courts work
• Make new friends as you work together
• Experience the responsibility which can save or condemn a life
• Builds an individual's pride in our system of law
• The knowledge you can make a positive difference is our society

The next time you receive a jury summons, it might just be an opportunity to learn skills and acquire experience you couldn't have in your day to day routine. Should you receive a jury summons, consider the possibilities rather than the negatives, and you might just find it to be a rewarding, fulfilling experience.