HELP!--Called for Jury Duty during trip HOME--anyone else??

[panfan]

I just got a Jury Duty summons in the mail yesterday. Before I even opened it , I suspected that it would land on the week we are going HOME to BWV . Sue enough its December 17!! Right in the middle of my wonderful December trip!!

Does anyone have experience with this?? Is a planned vacation a legit excuse for getting out of jury duty?? I hear from others in my area that it's really hard to get excused.

If anyone has any facts , experience or ideas for me, Please help--I would really appreciate it.

Thanks again!!

 

[raparker13]

It all depends on the norm in your area. Call the clerk of the court and explain you have a trip planned. I think in my area they would assign you to another time frame (I've heard from friends).

 

[michaeln]

I am not sure about PA but in SC if you can prove you already had the vacation planned etc. they will let you serve a month or two later. But, you still have to serve. You can't get out of it.

You might try calling them and explaining that you have this vacation and see if they will let you serve before or after.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Here in MA, you are allowed to defer the date.

When I was a flight attendant, I always deferred my date until Dec. 24!! Crazy you think......no, at least I was not called out on Christmas Eve to work!!!!

 

[chris1gill]

Umm, that's a bummer what about calling in sick if they don't excuse you? Can you call in sick, to have your date changed? A medical note might work if you have any medical conditions... or do you care for an older person? That might work too.... Just to at least get you pushed up or back by a week... Good luck, let us know what they say!

 

[Doug7856]

I work for the circuit court in Maryland. Our jury commission is very willing to change dates for travel. I'd just call and explain the situation. I bet you'll be excursed.

 

[Laurabearz]

My husband was served.. we had a vacation planned, they post ponded it... it was rescheduled and at that time his mother was extreamly Ill, and it was rescheduled to my Due date with our third child, so they rescheduled it once again... and he went... didnt call him.

 

[Niagara2]

I have postponed jury duty many times. Just call and they rescedule. As long as you serve or are available sometime in the year you will be fine. I have been on Jury duty four times and never made it passed the interview. Back to work by 3 pm same day.

 

[Pa@okw95]

You do not have to go, but just be prepared for the fine. I would try to get a new date before not showing at all. This is still America you do not have to go to jury duty if you do not want to-they will not throw you in jail.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I was called for jury duty during one of our scheduled trips. I requested a postponment, sending copies of my air ticket and DVC lodging confirmations. I ended up serving about two months later. Relatively painless here, since it's usually one day or one trial. I ended up as foreman of the coroner's jury for the day (an interesting experience in itself).

I would request a postponement. Call to see what documentation might be required.

Ralph

 

[DVC-Don]

It varies by state and county, but our county will give you one delay. I got called this summer, but I am the primary caregiver for our two kids. Right now I am one month into a three month Grand Jury tour. Only have to go one or two days per week and so far we get out at the lastest by 2:30 PM. Got appointed assistant foreman and I'll tell you, it is really interesting. Go in after the kids leave for school and home before they get back. A perfect part time job!

Oh yeah, another good part. After I serve, I can not be called again for a minimum of 4 years. And as this is a several month long grand jury thing, I can request not to be called for 10 years.

 

[July]

I was called to Federal Jury twice. I wrote a letter both times and was released. First time due to starting a new job. Second time due to a coworker having surgery, we were short of help.
I did a lot of research on the excuses that they will release you on. For federal a scheduled vacation is a good one.
So call or write your excuse, read carefully to what is required in your area.

Good Luck I'm sure you will be excused.

July

 

[ILPHIL]

I'm sure it varies from state to state, but several yrs ago I got a jury summons that would have been right in the middle of our trip to WDW. I returned it to the county's jury commission with a note explaining I would be out of state on vacation, but that I was more than willing to fulfill my obligation at another time, either before or after the trip. With no further questions they deferred me for several months.
I certainly wouldn't ignore it...in this county if you don't show up they send a Deputy Sheriff to your home and job looking for you.

Good Luck

 

[Donna]

This happened to my husband twice in the last year. Why do they have a knack for hitting you right when you take your vacations! The first time, it was the member cruise. He got the notice and it was during the cruise; we sent back the summons with a note on the back that we had a planned (not to mention PAID FOR) vacation and they said, they would excuse him this ONE TIME but he would definitely get a notice in the next year. No problem! UNTIL, that notice arrived two weeks ago and i thought "what are the chances..." Sure enough, i opened it up and he is due to report on 12-2, the day we fly to wdw! I remembered the letter saying his being excused was a one time thing but we sent it back again anyways with a copy of our flights and reservation at OKW. Just got the letter last week that they are excusing him again but he has to report the very day AFTER we get back! That's not a problem as long as we can go on vacation; he actually ENJOYS serving! I'm glad he's serving right away because it won't interfere with next year....unless, of course, *I* get my notice!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Here is a funny jury duty story ..

I had mine postpone and was called about 6 months later. When we all got there, the court house folks kept saying "don't worry, you won't be here long." Turned out we couldn't have the trial as the defendant was in jail again ..... for skipping jury duty!

We all were excused... our turn at jury duty considered fulfilled, and still got out 6 bucks from the court!

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
You do not have to go, but just be prepared for the fine. I would try to get a new date before not showing at all. This is still America you do not have to go to jury duty if you do not want to-they will not throw you in jail.

Actually, you do if you're a US Citizen. Most places don't bother tracking you down as it's usually not worth it, but Philly's gotten tougher about it....the fines from the scoff law "non" jurists are paying for breakfast for the people who do show up for jury duty. Add in a potential 10 days incarceration, you have incentive to show up.

It seems we always get summoned the week before a vacation...we just follow the instructions on the card to reschedule.

-Joe

 

[BillPA]

This happen just this summer to us, my wife was "called for jury duty" that would have been right in the middle of a trip. Just sent a letter stating the hardship of a non-refundable trip, and the court rescheduled her for October. Not a big deal, just don't ignore it. These folks understand we have lives and some time other plans that conflict with their schedule. Just let them know as soon as possible, so they can get someone else. You will get re-scheduled for a few months later.

Have a great trip.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I remember once I got called for jury duty for the first week of December, right in the middle of my WDW vacation. ( Not DVC )
I was heartbroken.....but everyone at work told me to call them, so I did. The woman on the phone was so nice ! I explained that this jury duty was in the middle of my " beloved " Disney World vacation. I asked for " any other time ". The woman laughed.....She said that if I had to miss my Disney World vacation, I would probably make a lousy juror. She just said
" We'll catch you in April ", and they did !