What is reasonable about juror system?

As a potential juror, I may be tasked by the United States District Court to make a decision based on "reasonable doubt."

I would like to know how the purveyors of our judicial system define what is reasonable, because I am not sure our definitions are the same. I am "hereby summoned for a two week term of jury service beginning on Monday March 1, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. I must call 1-800-572-4210 after 5 p.m. on Friday February 26, 2010 or all day Saturday or Sunday to determine if I am required to appear. If my juror participant number is not ordered to appear, I must continue to call the 1-800 number each night after 5 p.m. throughout the two-week term."

Take a moment to read that last paragraph again. Try to apply this to your life. Is there anything reasonable about this? Personally, I do not plan each day the evening before, after 5 p.m.

When I did have this kind of time, I was too young to be a juror. I am a middle-aged parent with a young child - who I might add, cannot be dropped off at school until after 8:30 a.m., and I am the only one available to do this.

I am on-call for my child for the rest of the school day, and now, I am supposed find it reasonable to also be simultaneously on-call for the United States District Court. And, if I am unable meet these impossible obligations, I will be subject to arrest, fine and jail time. Again, I ask, is this reasonable?

Some government officials thought so, because here it is in front of me. And, if they define this as reasonable, then I highly doubt I am capable of determining what is just.

David Numerowski

Schaumburg