When I applied for an internship at the U.S. District Court, I mistakenly thought it was for the U.S. Attorney's Office. Although these are very different places of employment, they share the same website, and the job listing didn't specify the department.

Throughout the hiring process, I referenced attorneys and former interns at the U.S. Attorney's Office, hoping to show I was a credible, well-researched candidate. When I received a call offering me the position, I thanked them for the opportunity at the United States Attorney's Office. Yet, no one corrected my error. It wasn't until my first day, as I walked into the Gene Snyder Courthouse, that I realized I had applied for a completely different role.

I would not be working with court documents or assisting attorneys on cases. I would not be interpreting legal proceedings or analyzing crime scenes. In fact, I wouldn't even be working with attorneys. Instead, I would oversee everyone's favorite civic obligation: jury duty.

First Day in the Courthouse

My first day was challenging. I was immediately thrown into the bullpen: checking jurors in, issuing numbered badges, and briefing them on the selection process. I quickly learned that for many Louisvillians, jury duty is their first and only interaction with the court system.

Many citizens arrive at the courthouse feeling scared, frustrated, and confused. They're unsure why they were summoned and upset about missing work or caregiving responsibilities for what they perceive as "pointless work."

While I can understand why jury duty doesn't top anyone's list of favorite activities, it's still a powerful civic responsibility we accept when registering to vote. Coming to jury duty prepared and willing to sacrifice an afternoon (or sometimes many) is a beautiful responsibility we all share. It is part of what makes the United States such a remarkable place to live.

Observing the Judicial Process

After the initial selection, attorneys for both sides narrowed the sixty-juror pool to about fourteen individuals. As these participants checked in with me each day, I watched them begin to grasp the true weight of their role.

Over time, their respect for the court system deepened. They listened attentively, asked thoughtful questions, and took seriously the responsibility of determining the facts in a case. In federal court, the stakes were often high, and jurors knew their decisions could significantly impact someone's life.

Through their eyes, I also began to see the court system differently. I looked forward to coming to work and witnessing individuals with no formal legal training fall in love with the law. It made me fall deeper in love with it as well.

Embracing Civic Engagement

As a political science student, I started to view these jurors not just as individuals fulfilling a legal obligation but as temporary stewards of justice. They were active players in a system designed to be "by the people, for the people."

In many ways, my internship turned out to be far more valuable than I had initially imagined. Instead of working behind the scenes with attorneys, I was witnessing democracy in action. I watched ordinary citizens enter the courtroom, embrace their constitutional role, and legitimize a justice system reliant on public participation.

My accidental internship with the U.S. District Court offered me a perspective I might never have experienced otherwise. Rather than an insider's view of legal mechanics working alongside attorneys, I had a quiet observer's view of civic participation. This experience deepened my appreciation of jury duty and my understanding of justice as a collaborative effort between the court and citizens.

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