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Occasionally, circumstances in our lives call us to action; and our beliefs and associations influence our responses. In some instances, life compels us to act regardless of what we want. One such event occurred when the Court of Common Pleas for Montgomery County, Ohio, summoned me for jury duty the week of March 19. Jury duty can be a nuisance as it disrupts our lives and can often be one of the most boring experiences we ever have. Additionally, some prospective jurors are only paid the nominal daily rate the court systems pay for jury duty, so they are impacted financially. I am blessed that my employer paid my full salary while I served jury duty.

This was the first time any court summoned me for jury duty. As a lawyer, albeit a non-practicing lawyer, I would normally be excused or excluded from service by the attorneys litigating the case. That didn’t happen in this instance even after disclosure that I am a lawyer. The attorneys only cared if I could impartially and fairly decide the case based on the evidence and the applicable laws. There was information about me I disclosed which I was afraid would have excluded me from this jury also; fairness and justice required these disclosures, but I’m happy I wasn’t excluded.

During the jury selection, the judge and the attorneys informed us this case was a criminal matter and involved inappropriate behavior perpetrated by a father against his daughter and step-son. My wife and I are licensed foster parents in the state of Ohio. In addition to our 14 month old biological son, my wife and I currently have a 6 month old foster child in our home; we’ve had him since he was four days old. As foster parents, we are entrusted to advocate for the proper treatment of children and protect abused children whenever possible. This particular jury duty was an avenue for me to protect potentially abused children from future mistreatment. Upon reflection of my jury duty, I realized there was another reason I had to be on this jury and was selected as a juror and foreperson.

As a black belt of the World Tang Soo Do Association I had to be on this jury to ensure justice was served; whether by acquitting if innocent or convicting if guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Additionally, as black belts of the World Tang Soo Do Association we are expected to defend others in need. The defendant used his power and control over his daughter and step-son to commit inappropriate behavior, and it was my duty as a black belt to defend the daughter and step-son however I could. My actions will not change what has already happened, but my actions will help protect the daughter and step-son in the future.

As black belts we train our bodies to respond to physical attacks directed toward us or towards others. My experience as a juror demonstrates an avenue to defend others which doesn’t involve kicks or punches. Black belt membership is not a requirement for jury service, but black belt membership also includes responsibilities and duties which go beyond the dojang and practicing our hyungs. Black belt membership also means we have civic responsibilities which could be mundane and annoying, but they are responsibilities nonetheless. In this instance, I accepted my jury duty as a responsibility because of my status as a foster parent and as a black belt. In the end, my status as a black belt alone would have been reason enough to accept jury duty as a mandatory responsibility in this type of situation.

Sincerely,
Wilmer J. Dechant, Jr.
E Dan (#026658)

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