Legal Logic

Raoul’s Two Cents: February 20, 2026

Jury Duty

This story may be too religious for you so if you don’t want to ponder, move on to the Jokes.

I need to phone in and report for Jury Duty today. Chances are, I will be going through the screening process at the courthouse on Monday. Most people dread being called to this uniquely American judicial tradition but not me. I hope the trial will last just a few days (5-7 days is the average). I do have a lot of responsibilities … I do have a life. Maybe I should just shout ”off with their heads!” and get it over with.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

I’ve never actually been to a trial before. I came close once but I was filtered out on the first day. Maybe I watch too many trial movies but I’d love to watch the drama of the lawyers badgering the witnesses – “You can’t handle the truth!” Will I display wisdom or idiocy during the closed-door huddle among “twelve angry men?”

Should I bring my laptop to do some work? Will I be able to write notes and do sketches — hmmm, can I do sketches?! Oh boy, I can put on my artist hat and do caricatures! Now you’re talking! This is definitely going to be a “fun” experience. Maybe I’ll be able to sell my sketches to the evening network news and launch a new career as a courtroom caricaturist who makes people laugh.

Kidding aside, I know this is serious business. People’s lives will be in my hands. Will it be a case of murder or some other horrific crime? Will I be able to understand the arguments with my poor hearing? Will I be able to remember the important evidence? Will I be able to determine truth from lies? Will I do my duty with integrity?

RAMON vs DIEGO: A TRUE STORY

Did I ever share my story about Ramon and Diego? This happened during a period when I was transitioning from being an atheist into a God-fearing Christian. My faith was still growing. I prayed that if God was real, He would give me a sign and show himself to me. And He was answering my prayers through little inexplicables.

I was a manager in my grandfather’s marble mining company back in the Philippines and I was in charge of the men in the warehouse. There was a basketball ring at the back of the facility and, after working hours, the men and I would usually do a round of basketball.

One day Ramon, my responsible foreman, confided to me that he was in trouble with Diego. I don’t remember exactly what the issue was but there was an exchange of words and Ramon was concerned about an ambush because Diego, the new hire, was part of a gang. Ramon would be an easy target on his way home. What to do? (What would you have done?)

SHADES OF SOLOMON THE WISE

I pondered this delicate situation. I remembered reading how King Solomon cleverly judged who was the real mother of a baby by offering to split the baby among the two Moms (1 Kings 3:16-28). How would King Solomon appease these two proud men? If I favor Ramon, Diego will murder him for sure. If I favor Diego, Ramon and all the other men would lose respect for me.

I still didn’t know who God was but I prayed. (Isn’t it so typical that atheists pray when they run out of options?) Somehow, I got an inspiration right out of the blue. I told them, I wasn’t going to decide who was at fault. I told them they would play one-on-one basketball at the end of the day. The winner would determine who was right. Surprisingly, they both agreed.

The rest of the day, the men were talking among themselves — some sided with Ramon and others were with Diego. I was dripping sweats of blood as game time approached … praying that this zany idea would work.

I officiated the match and I let them at it. Ramon and Diego banged their bodies like gladiators. No fouls called. In the process, Diego must have seen that Ramon was tough and determined. Ramon wasn’t afraid to die. Diego realized that Ramon was a husband, a father and a fellow human being. Ramon was fighting for his life. The match ended with cheers from the crowd. Ramon was victorious. Drenched in sweat, they looked each other in the eye and shook hands. The respect was evident. Then they all went home.

I was so happy to see Ramon alive and well the next morning. Diego was also in a good mood — they were bros. The crisis was over. Diego disappeared a few weeks later but Ramon stayed loyal to me until I left the company. No one really understood what happened in that game but everyone knew that it worked.

If I am chosen as a juror, I promise to weigh all the evidence and be fair. I pray that all parties involved will come out as better people. I know I may sound a little naive but if I were on trial, I’d expect the same thing from my jurors. Wouldn’t you?

Of course, this is just me.

In case you are interested, I wrote a somber song called Modern Justice (almost 10 years ago). I was inspired to write it because I was frustrated at the courts not dispensing justice as I saw it. It’s a bit dramatic but you may like it. I let AI put it into music just for you.

TGIF People!

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Quotes of the Week

“When you go into court you are putting your fate into the hands of twelve people who weren’t smart enough to get out of jury duty.” — Anonymous

“If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” – Johnny Corcoran

“There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience.” — Anonymous

“Cases are won on closing arguments only on television, not in a real courtroom.” — Anonymous

And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” – Luke 12: 11-12

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” — Matthew 18: 15-17

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. — Matthew 5: 38-42