Jury Duty - Not a $$$ Maker

I got a letter in the mail from the Jury Commission. I have to be available for jury duty in December. I guess it's a good thing we weren't planning any trips! I've never had jury duty and really wouldn't mind if I were called to sit on a jury. Everyone here at the office tells me I probably won't get called because most scheduled trials end up getting settled before they actually happen. I guess we'll see.

The thing that I find highly entertaining/irritating about jury duty is this. If I get called to sit on a jury, I will miss work, where I get paid a very competitive wage, especially here in Sandpoint. I don't have any personal or vacation days left to take, so I would just have to go short money-wise that month. BUT, according to the letter I got, I will be compensated for my mileage at $.58/mile. I live a round trip of exactly 5 miles from the courthouse (I clocked it yesterday, because that's how I am), so I will earn a whopping $2.90/day. WOW! Is it just me, or is there something wrong with this system? How much money would be spent to prosecute some criminal who should just say, "hey, I'm guilty as sin, lock me away."

But why should I worry? If I get called, I'll walk away with enough money each day to buy a partial loaf of bread or a partial gallon of milk! :)