Madonna Shows Up For Jury Duty

Only hours after hosting an Oscars party, Madonna appeared for jury duty.

As Early Show national correspondent Hattie Kauffman reports, The Material Girl reported to court to fulfill her civic duty -- in a sweatshirt and sunglasses.

The mega-pop star was among some 60 potential jurors called for a simple driving-under-the-influence case.

Lawyers had mixed feelings about the prospect of Madonna on a jury.

"Sometimes," says attorney Richard Falk, "a very famous actor or actress or celebrity, I would imagine, would cause a distraction to the proceedings."

"I would think," says legal eagle Bill Reich, "she would be a fine juror."

She wasn't picked for the panel.

Madonna spent the day sequestered, busy on her blackberry -- and she changed during the lunch break into a sleek black pant suit.

Sources close to the singer tell The Early Show that the jury room was infiltrated by paparazzi and became a circus. They say a defense lawyer complained that she was a distraction, leading to her dismissal. They also claim a court officer accused Madonna of disturbing the peace -- just by being present.

However, court officials say there weren't any problems, and it was just business as usual.

We are, Kauffman pointed out, entitled to a jury of our peers, and you'd hardly think Madonna is a peer.

But, it was the Beverly Hills courthouse, where celebrities sometimes go on trial, and where other celebs have been called to serve -- celebs such as Jennifer Lopez, Brad Pitt, and even Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"Remember," says CBS News legal analyst Trent Copeland, "we're in Beverly Hills, California, a place that's highly-populated by celebrities. So, it's not unusual to have a celebrity called into court as either a defendant or to sit on a jury pool."

Madonna spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg tells CBS News, "She was happy to serve her civic duty, even though she didn't get onto a case."

Apparently, Kauffman notes, Madonna, whose many hits include "Express Yourself," knows jury duty is as American as -- the freedom of expression.