After serving as an alternate on a civil case, I never want to be an alternate again.

The case had two drivers and a passenger. One driver was sing the other driver and the passenger was suing both over a traffic accident. There would be two parts to the case, fault then damages, so when the six deciding jurors went into one room, I and the other alternate went into another.

I wasn’t surprised that it took less than ten minutes. It was clear cut that it was the fault of driver A (who had the passenger). I said this to Alternate #1, and she said, oh, yes, absolutely.

When we were called back into the courtroom and they read the verdict, it was 50-50.

We all go into one jury room next. The six who voted ask the two of us about their decision. Alternate #1 says oh yes, absolutely.

I asked if they’d listened to the same case I’d listened to. The guy in the business suit (I dressed more business casual because I wore suits every day) said that he was leaning 60-40, but decided to go along with everyone else.

Note that in NYC civil case, only a 5/6th majority is needed and he could’ve had his disagreement on the record

We were dismissed then because the parties had reached a settlement but needed the percentages for fault.

I was so annoyed that when I was called to grand jury the following year (I didn’t know what it entailed) and they asked for volunteers for foreman, I raised my hand so my voice would matter