What to Do When You’re Going to Be Late

Having just emerged from a very brief stint at jury duty (where, apparently, rather than settling the night before, the parties waited until prospective jurors had hauled themselves to the state courthouse before getting serious about settlement), I didn’t have a lot of empathy for the lawyer who showed up late for jury selection only to be jailed by the judge overseeing the case. Martha Neil, Judge jails lawyer and client over tardy arrival for jury selection, ABA Journal (May 7, 2013).

How exactly the lawyer missed the mark by 50 minutes is a bit unclear from the piece. Citing personal problems the evening before and a lax hotel receptionist apparently wasn’t sufficient reason to evade punishment.

One can only wonder about how thrilled the client was by his attorney’s behavior.

Some suggestions should this happen again in the future:

• First, really and truly, learn to use the alarm function on your cellphone. There’s no need ever for any of us to need a wakeup call from the front desk of a hotel given the technology we’re all packing. Other measures to take if you really worry about getting up on time: leave the lights on, the curtains open, the television on. Lights and noise are pretty good a summoning those who’ve lapsed into too deep a sleep. Worst-case scenario: Have someone from your office call, or have a significant other, or your mom, or whomever.
• Second, take that 16-second shower. When I’m running late, I can be showered with hair and makeup done and out the door in less than 10 minutes.
• If you really are going to be late for a court appearance, call the court and let the judge know.

—Lori Tripoli