Jury duty...

[disykat]

I guess I'm lucky where I live. I've been excused numerous times in the last 11 years for childcare reasons. I am looking forward to serving my country on jury duty when my kids are old enough to be left alone before school, but right now my priority is making sure my children have care. The last summons I wrote that I could serve starting at 9, but needed to care for my children before school. I was excused.

I tried to serve prior to having kids. One time I called in every day for my two weeks and never got called in. The other time I was 8 months pregnant and they sent me home.

 

[BrerMom]

Sounds like other areas are more lenient than here. A mom can be nursing a four-month-old 24/7 and be told "tough." Can you imagine? And, no, bringing the infant with her is not an option.

 

[Jeanny]

In Massachusetts, they accept no excuses now... Yes, you can "postpone" for up to one year... which I did, I postponed until last summer, and I was on vacation. Yep, I had to give up 3 of my vacation days!!! I was not a happy camper. I did get the 3 days back from my employer. Yes, I know it's my civic duty to serve, they do ask if you have any reason that you can't serve, being on vacation is NOT one of them. I had to make other arrangements to get my Mother to the airport on the last day of my jury duty because we wouldn't be out on time. AND it was a stupid case that should NEVER had tied up the court system!! But at least now, they can't call me for three years!!!

My Mom always wants to go and has only been called once. Why can't they use people who REALLY want to go?? The judicial system didn't work for me when I was trying to get child support, so yes, that's just my opinion.

Once, years ago, the Court in Dedham didn't have enough jurors show up, so they had police in the street stopping cars and making people get go in and serve on the juries. One lady said, "My children are in the back seat" The Police officer told her to go find a babysitter and get her butt back there!!! Yep, true story, it was on the noontime news!!!

 

[ScarlettO]

I was once on a sequestered murder trial jury. We had to spend 3 nights in a motel-sharing room with a stranger(luckily she was a nice woman). It was very interesting experience, but exhausting to be in the company of these people all the time.

(The worst part was I had to phone my DH from the courthouse to tell him I was picked and try to explain what clothes, shoes and makeup to pack...it wasn't pretty what I actually recieved. )

 

[Sandy51]

I'm currently serving in my third week of jury duty. I am a middle school teacher, and I didn't ask to be excused when I sent my reply letter. However, after week 1, I wrote a letter to the judge explaining how hard it had been getting subs at the last minute.(I had to report for the first 3 out of 5 days). I haven't received a response, and last week actually served on a case Monday and Tuesday. (very boring) I found out this afternoon that I have to report again Monday morning. I'll really be glad when it is over March 12. I know it is my civic duty to serve; just wish it could have been in the summertime. BTW, the clerk takes roll call every morning and telephones the people who don't show up, but I don't know if anything happens to them.

Good luck!
Sandy

 

[Samandmom]

Wohoo!! I called for Monday and it has been canceled.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by ScarlettO
I was once on a sequestered murder trial jury. We had to spend 3 nights in a motel-sharing room with a stranger(luckily she was a nice woman). It was very interesting experience, but exhausting to be in the company of these people all the time.

oh no no no ....are you serious?? There would be no way in heck I could EVER share a room with a stranger....I have a thing about even SITTING next to a stranger never mind sharing a room with one!! Do they give you the option of maybe paying for for your own room?? When I buy tickets for anything I make sure I buy an aisle seat and put my daughter next to the stranger, same on an airplane!

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Originally posted by lenshanem
You're kidding HauntedMansionGeek?!?

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

LOL ahhhhh no...it's just my time. I had it postponed due to vacation twice now (yes, it does sound like different communities are more lenient than others)...
I suspect I might be ABLE to get it postponed indefinitely, but I plan to try to serve this time even though I DID have plans in the works to be VERY unavailable at that time. LOL

I'll let them have me this time I guess.

 

[Bacrd]

I can't believe this thread is here!!
I start JD tmorrow. I was scheduled the week of Thanksgiving...luckily a short week. I called the first 2 days and didn't have to show..but then forgot to call for the last day (the day before the holiday). YUP....I was SUPPOSED to show up on that day!!! A week later I got a very nasty letter informing me that I was in Contempt of Court and if I didn't call to reschedule, a bench warrant would be issued. So....here we go again!
Please send PD that I remember to call every night!!!!