I'm off to the Rock Island County Courthouse later this morning. I don't know how most people feel when facing a court trial, but the whole thing unnerves me. Just driving there and being near the officers, facilities, jail, etc...well, it's scary. I try to remember that all of it is actually for the protection and decency of all of us. The whole "system" gives us a chance to air differences and have a trained authority figure to reach a decision.
The system isn't perfect. I've learned that despite laws and procedures and processes, the system involves people. And people aren't perfect. People argue cases, defend cases, and judge cases. And laws aren't always clear for every situation, which results in interpretation of laws. And those interpretations can sometimes be flawed as well.
This isn't the place to vent my frustrations over the situation and reasons why I'm forced to take a day off work and head to court. And my case doesn't involve and life crisis moment. I suppose "small claims" accurate describes my event today. In a society, though, that often features media outlets highlighting violence as a result of conflict or indifference, there is a bit of peace of mind that avenues do exist for rational and reasonable ways to solve conflict. We don't need to break down doors, flash weapons, or even threaten others.
The peaceful process isn't cheap, and it's not without frustrations. Heck, sometimes the resolution doesn't seem fair at all. The resolution, though, doesn't have to include loss of life.
So while I will spend the next few hours stressing over my 11:00 a.m. court appearance, there is a bit of comfort that I live in a nation that strives to give all of us a chance to resolve differences in a non-violent matter. Today could go very well, or I could end up on the wrong side of a decision that may cost me thousands of dollars. The process, though, will allow for a decision to be reached without loss of life.
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