Recently I received a piece of mail I hoped would never appear in my mail box, a summons to appear for jury duty. I have never served on a jury, although I have been summoned three times.

The first was just after I moved and I was no longer a resident of that county. The second occurred approximately four years ago. That time I did as instructed and was dismissed before having to appear. (For those of you unaware, there are multiple instructions on where, when, and why you must appear and the actions required to determine whether or not to appear on the postcard-sized summons you receive.) The third was this most recent summons.

Reporting for jury duty begins the Friday before the Monday I am instructed to appear. Following the instructions on the summons, I call a telephone number and listen to a message informing me that I do not need to appear on Monday morning but that I must call Monday evening to determine if I should appear on Tuesday morning. I call the telephone number on Monday evening and am informed that my group will be required to appear at the courthouse the following morning.

Tuesday morning I report to the courthouse on Etna Road at the appropriate time. There are many of us, each representing various demographics of the county"s population. One thing we all represent is being registered to vote. Upon entering the building and the room for potential jurors, our individual summonses are scanned. It is now time to await further instructions. When everyone is accounted for, a short movie is shown on the televisions in the room informing us of the impending process and the value of the civic duty we are performing.

A short while later the deputy announces the judge is ready for us and we are directed to our vehicles and instructed to report to a courtroom in the county courthouse in downtown Ottawa. A short while after reaching the assigned courtroom the actual selection process begins.

The judge begins with a set of questions aimed at eliminating those who will not be able to serve due to prior commitments or economic hardship. The next round of questioning by the judge probes a little deeper concerning what will be before the court. A few more potential jurors are released and it is time for lunch.

After lunch it is time for greater depth to the questioning by the judge and also eventually by the attorneys. As each person is released or deemed viable the questions became more intimate. The process of eliminating potential jurors through this ever greater questioning serves not only the best interest of justice in selecting appropriate jurors but also the privacy of all involved.

I was not chosen to serve justice this time but before being dismissed I acquired a desire to serve and the knowledge of what to expect of future summons. Though I do not think I will be excited about serving in the future, I will do so willingly if asked.

• RICHARD PUGH of Marseilles says he has "a normal job reconciling inventory" and he is a perpetual student. He can be reached via e-mail at lonnyc@mywebtimes.com.