Oh THAT little thing?!?

I had to interview for a month long jury trial several weeks ago.  The attorneys asked we all fill out a 10 page questionnaire.  Normally, I knock these things out of the park.  I'm the kind of person you want on your jury and I love jury service.   I breezed through the first half and then stumbled upon...

"Have you ever been accused of a crime?"

Uhhhhh.

More than 10 years ago, my mother, brothers, and I were accused of vandalism, racist vandalism, and terrorist acts.  My name was dropped off in the very early stages but my brothers and mother had to fight it out in court.  The case was thrown out, we were innocent and the accuser was a complete nut job (my parents later sued and won for malicious litigation)... BUT... there's this little thing called 'public record' that demands I answer this question honestly.

I answered the question, making sure to point out that we were found not-guilty, but I wasn't selected to serve.

Disappointed, I called my mom who also was called to jury service this month, "Hey mom,  I didn't get selected on the jury.  I think it's the fact that I was asked if I've been accused of a crime and I can't avoid the fact that we were accused of racism and terrorism.  What do you answer to that question?"

 My mother was silent.

"Mom?"

"Ummmm" she says.

"You say 'No' don't you?  Mom!  It's ACCUSED, not convicted.  The answer is YES!" I yell.

"I kinda...forgot."

"ACCUSATIONS OF RACISM!?!?  TERRORISM!?!?!?!"

"OK, so, next time I'll remember" she says.

Sigh.

Mother.  Mother.  Mother.