One thing that makes Grand Jury more interesting and varied than trial jury is that you get to see multiple cases in each day, each case usually has multiple witnesses, each sworn in, each asked questions. And because of that, you also get to notice certain seemingly unnecessary (almost annoying) repetitions.
DID YOU UNDERGO TRAINING FOR THIS? DID YOU COMPLETE IT SUCCESSFULLY?
One such thing that every law-enforcement officer, or even a representative of a business, is always asked by the ADA (Assistant District Attorney) about their training, and whether they successfully completed that training.
It would seem obvious, you’d think, if the officer is an active duty officer or detective, working for years or decades in their field, can’t we assume they completed the necessary training?
No, it needs to be asked and confirmed for each testimony. And often (not always) some particulars about said training are asked as well. Not sure if this is a legal requirement or just to bolster their case and strengthen the witness’ testimony, but that’s how it was done by a slew of ADA’s that I saw on a multitude of cases during my 8 Fridays on Grand Jury.
As the Baal Shem Tov teaches, there has to be a lesson for us from everything we see or hear. So what’s the lesson in this for us?
Our training matters! And our Jewish training is Jewish education, and lifelong Torah study. It helps us see things and people in a Torah lens, it helps us make good calls, and the right decisions and appropriate choices. It helps us do what we do according to guidelines and not willy-nilly. Our training helps us handle the complexities of life.
And like the officers – we aren’t just trained once and done. There are ongoing trainings, especially when going from level to level, to stay on top of your game and of the latest laws and technologies, and keep it fresh and refreshed.
IS THIS WHAT YOU DO IN THE NORMAL ORDER OF BUSINESS?
When it comes to business records and store info, when it comes to storage of CCTV footage and retrieval and other such reports, the ADA often confirms: “And this process is your normal order of business?”
I think they want the witness to confirm that this is something he/she does regularly and all the time, and not specifically or unusually for this particular case.
That’s a great Jewish life message. We’re being asked: Is Shabbat something you regularly observe? Is that normal for you? Or is this something you are hardly familiar with? Is Tefillin your norm? Is prayer your norm? Do you do a little daily study each day, or just once in a blue moon?
Is Judaism your normal order of life? This is a really good question. And one that we probably ought to keep asking ourselves.
ARE YOU A CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS?
This question is repeatedly asked of those witnesses who record and store and manage records systems. In the cases we heard it was mostly in cases of retail theft, regarding store records and store camera footage. And when this store representative testifies he/she is asked: “Are you a custodian of records?” Is this your responsibility?
Do you take ownership? Are you relegating this to others or is this your job? Are these vital Jewish memories something you’re leaving to others, or are you making sure they are remembered and recalled and properly stored and cherished?