Jury duty...

[Samandmom]

I am glad I came across this post. About a year ago I was called for Jury Duty. I was solely nursing DD at the time. (she would not take a bottle) I sent in my documents and said that I was breastfeeding. They sent me a letter with my Jury date. I called them and said I can't go because I am nursing DD. The guy I spoke to adjusted it for me and now I have to go on Monday. Reading this makes me think I can be excused again (wishful thinking) I have a 1 and 3 yr old and as it stands now I only have a sitter for them in the morning. DH will have to leave work early (even though he can't ) to watch the kids in the afternoon.

 

[aprilgail2]

Years ago you would get excused just for having children but they have changed that and made it much harder....I got called recently and acutually just tossed the thing away hoping they don't catch up with me until my dauhgter starts school in Sept! I am a single parent and she has preschool until 1130am...I then take lunch from work and pick her up and bring her to someplace else..unless they are goingto let me out of jury duty at that time to do that then I can not serve right now!

 

[cgcw]

I have received notices several times since our DS9 was born. We also have a DS4. Each time, I have written in that because I have no daycare options for them, it would be a burden on our family for me to go to jury duty. Once my DS4 is in school full time, I fully expect to get notice again.

I personally would not mind serving if I could select the location. I would be more than willing to serve in the suburbs or downtown Chicago but I am not comfortable going down to the area of Chicago where the main court house is. That's my biggest fear - that because I've been excused all of these years, I'll draw that court house, end up on a trial and have to travel there every day. I know in that case, it will be an even bigger burden on our family because I won't travel there alone. DH will have to come with me -- and then that leaves us no options for our kids.

Now I'm afraid to get the mail today.

 

[robsmom]

Originally posted by aprilgail2
Years ago you would get excused just for having children but they have changed that and made it much harder....I got called recently and acutually just tossed the thing away hoping they don't catch up with me until my dauhgter starts school in Sept! I am a single parent and she has preschool until 1130am...I then take lunch from work and pick her up and bring her to someplace else..unless they are goingto let me out of jury duty at that time to do that then I can not serve right now!

This is not a flame, but I think you are much better off asking to be excused then throwing it away. Although I suspect that you can get a second chance to show up (presumably there is the periodic lost in the mail situation), I would not count on this. Can't they arrest you for not serving?

 

[Cindy B]

I got called I think twice in PA. I did tell them that I had two small children and that I was the sole caregiver.

It also asked if I knew any lawyers and or anyone in the insurance business. My DH worked in that insurance business, and my then boss was an attorney!

So, between the kids, the boss and DH, I think I was set.

 

[BabyTigger99]

I work at our county courthouse, and although I only recently got "formally" called for jury duty, I have had to sit on jury panels before (if not enough people show for duty, our supervisior runs through the office like a chicken with her head cut off looking for people to join the pool so the trial doesn't have to be rescheduled). Never actually made it on a jury, but I would love to!! A few years back one of our judges was called for jury duty, and surprisingly, was picked to be on the jury!

 

[MAC3]

Me Too!

A month ago I got mine. At least this time they aren't making me go into the city!

Can't wait until it's over. What amazes me is all the people thaat don't want to do it get the summons while people like my DH never get called.

 

[Pete's Mom]

I have never even called for Jury Duty.

 

[Doug123]

Not to flame the OP, but I want to make a point that hasn't been brought up yet. Yes, it is a pain in the you know what to serve (I've been on two - both attempted murder cases). But, as an AMERICAN it's your DUTY to serve. I'm not the "flag waving type," but there is something to be said for playing a part in our judicial system (along with being a good role model for your kids in this regard).

Just a thought.

 

[Kermit]

Originally posted by robsmom
Can't they arrest you for not serving?

Yes, I'm pretty sure they can. When I went one time, the judge took attendence, then he handed a bailiff the list of all the people who weren't there and said he wanted them in his chambers that afternoon.

And BTW, I do agree that people should serve on a jury whenever they can. However, that just isn't always possible. If I were called right now, there's no way I could go. DH works during the day, and we simply don't leave DS with anyone else. Besides, DS is nursing, and I don't know anyone else who will nurse him for me.

 

[lenshanem]

Not to flame the OP, but I want to make a point that hasn't been brought up yet. Yes, it is a pain in the you know what to serve (I've been on two - both attempted murder cases). But, as an AMERICAN it's your DUTY to serve. I'm not the "flag waving type," but there is something to be said for playing a part in our judicial system (along with being a good role model for your kids in this regard).

Actually, I think i would find this very interesting to do and if it were a fews years later down the road I probably would have been more than happy to go, BUT it is a pain for me at this point. But, thanks for hinting that it would be a bad example for my just turned three year if I didn't go. Don't think she is quite old enough to understand a court case.

Regardless, I did get hold of the office today and they are sending me something i have to get notarized stating i stay at home with my child. She asked their birth date so I'm assuming this will just be postponed until next year. Even still this will "be a pain". I wish the rule was until your kids were at least in Kindergarten.

Maybe Doug123 can be ON CALL to come babysit.

 

[Fire14]

I personally have never been summoned but my EX BF had. What Cracked me up was at time he got summons he was sitting in same county in jail as where he was to appear for Jury duty. I just called court and told them the truth that he was in jail and if they wanted him to serve on jury he was right next door in a jail cell, the lady I talked to got a good laugh out of that. BTW I don't think he got on jury

 

[Doug123]

I actually do have a soon-to-be three year old (along with a 9 month old)! Jury playdate!

(Oh, and I didn't mean to imply you WEREN'T setting a good example for your kids.)

 

[lsyorke]

I seem to be called for JD all the time and really don't mind. My work schedule is flexible enough. But when they called DH I called to explain that he is visually impaired and would require assistance with transportation and navigating the court house I was told "We'll delete him from the JD list permanently". No medical verification needed. I was surprised!!

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by robsmom
This is not a flame, but I think you are much better off asking to be excused then throwing it away. Although I suspect that you can get a second chance to show up (presumably there is the periodic lost in the mail situation), I would not count on this. Can't they arrest you for not serving?

You can only be excused once and it is just for a period of a few months...after that they won't take any more excuses...its not as easy to be excused or have it post poned as it used to be. I asked at one point to have it postponed a few years back adn they said "when can you serve" I told them June,July August...well they called me Dec and April....why bother asking me if you are goign to call me when you want to anyway..

I have never known anyone to get picked up or arrested for not serving and I know plenty of people that just toss then, a friend has been doing it for many years and they never come get him.
I wouldn't mind serving at some point but not while I have a preschooler. There are plenty of people out there who dont work, are retired, and don't have kids who can serve until mine goes to school! My job pays me in full to go so that part is not a big deal for me.

 

[kilee]

I didn't get a summons yet--- but I did get a presummons questionaire. Which is what our county sends out then they start to pick from that. I am the sole provider for my family though. I also work for a company that is small enough that they don't have to pay me to go to jury duty. Therefore, being on a case for 2 weeks could send me into financial ruins. Therefore, I should be able to be excused if I do get called at this time.

However, I don't think my civic duty should be dependent on my families ability to eat!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[caseylouandtyler2]

Interesting reading!!

I have been called to Jury Duty for March 12th. I am so not looking forward to this. Yah yah duty and all that, but I am a SAHM. I drive my dd to school and pick her up and have a 1 yr old ds. I do not leave my kids with anybody. They have been with a babysitter (MIL) maybe 5 times in the entire 5 years of dd's life. My DH cannot take time off of work for me to go to jury duty. He just served. No I can't be excused. I don't qualify. I can't postpone, I already had it postponed. I'M SOL!!

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

You'll never believe what was in my mail today. Ugh.

 

[lenshanem]

I didn't get a summons yet--- but I did get a presummons questionnaire.

I had gotten a presummons questionnaire years ago, maybe 7? This was before I had kids and I lived at another house, but still same city and county. Did they follow me?
Anyway, this one I received was an actual summons.
I really don't know what all this means. Anyone?
I keep reading about people being on call. How does that happen? I would rather know an exact date they are gonna use me than to just be on call. How can you plan for something like that with kids?!?

Regardless, after I get the paperwork and notary I have at least a year before they'll call me again.

 

[lenshanem]

You're kidding HauntedMansionGeek?!?

I'm sorry, I hope this thread didn't jinx you.