Madonna Shows Up For Jury Duty

Beverly Hills Court Officials Deny Reports Her Mere Presence Caused A Ruckus

(CBS)  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.

[shoppingnut-2009]

It''s nice to see a celebrity doing the right thing for a change and she knew full well that not showing up would have put her in hot water. Also, if the court officer accused her of being a distraction and disturbing the peace, well the officer was out of line and should be reprimanded, they had not right to say such things when she was performing her civic duty and not complaining about it.

[lisa198404]

Madonna Shows Up For Jury Duty ,Congratulation for her ,we are her fans.
we ??
we are supporters of her playing on tall dating site~~~~~Tallmingle doc com ,we love her ,we support her

[keithle1]

Madonna wasn''t picked? WHA--?

You don''t say. Really. I''m stunned.

[shortmama2]

As a former officer of the court(court reporter)
I can attest to the fact that jury duty can be
a "great equalizer."
I remember a discussion between several attorneys
(off the record, of course)about the possibility
of having court proceedings be part of jr. high
education by visitation or TV. Maybe then kids
wouldn''t grow up to perpetuate our very litigious
society.
Good for Madonna!

[ajaxrose1]

Woopie-do, someone summoned for jury duty showed up. Could it be? Is it true? Is it even possible? Madonna: A PERSON! OMG!

[random_radar]

Its refreshing to have a celebrity show up for jury duty rather than as a defendant.

[erasmus6]

Madonna can be blamed for MANY things but showing up for jury duty ain''t one of them.

[erasmus6]

"They also claim a court officer accused Madonna of disturbing the peace -- just by being present."

Isn''t it the law, that when you are sent a notice for jury duty, that you HAVE to go????

So who should be blamed is the IDIOT that sent her the notice NOT Madonna!