I believe it. Last time I went to jury duty, I left all my blades and tools behind, except my eyeglass repair kit. I go early, because I carry a lot.

The metal detector picked up the eyelets in my shoes and the zipper in my dress trousers (yes, the guards looked <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />), but NOT the spectacle screwdriver I'd forgotten about in my dress suitcoat pocket.

The guards turned on every flashlight, opened every flashlight, and inspected the batteries. They worked my lipbalm and watched the stick move up and down. They opened both of my wallets. They opened my box of migaine/headache meds. They clicked all of my pens and opened all of them. They opened my lunch. The only thing they didn't open was my can of soda.

Did I feel violated? Yes. Did I feel safer? Yes. Do I like jury duty? Hell no. I'd avoid it if I could, but I have no reason.

-- Craig