Madonna dismissed from jury duty without hearing a case

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/08/madonna-dismissed-from-jury-duty-without-hearing-a-case

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Madonna dutifully fulfilled her civic responsibilities on Monday, when she reported for jury duty in Manhattan. The singer was apparently dismissed from the courthouse after less than two hours, with officials stating that they already had enough potential jurors.

"The greater good here is that her appearance really goes to show that everyone gets called," David Bookstaver, a spokesperson for the court system, told reporters. "The intent here was not to create a distraction to other jurors or the business of the court … She got credit for her service and we're delighted she came."

Despite the court's best intentions, it's difficult to prevent a Madonna appearance from becoming a scene. Photographers swarmed the singer as she arrived at the courthouse with an entourage of four: two bodyguards and two female assistants. According to the New York Daily News, she was 30 minutes late for her 10am appointment, and this call-time was already a full hour later than the rest of the jurors had been asked to appear.

Instead of waiting with other jurors in the official waiting room, the Material Girl was hosted in a clerk's office. "[It] doesn't seem quite right," another prospective juror, Marianna Pita, complained to the New York Post. "Everyone should have to wait in the same line." Madonna was not even questioned with regards to hearing a case, officials admitted. "I'm proud to do my job," Madonna said as she departed.

Improbably, this is Madonna's second jury duty summons in just six years. She was previously called to court in 2008, and spent four hours waiting to be excused at a Beverly Hills courthouse. This year's court appearance was originally scheduled to take place in May; at the time, Madonna submitted a doctor's note.

Madonna, 55, is now exempt from jury duty until 2020.