OT - SAHMs and jury duty

[imthatgirl]

I had jury duty back in May and it turns out I went to grammar school with the court officer. We were in line at lunch time and I commented that I can't believe all the people who surrounded her as soon as she walked into the jury pool room trying to get out of jury duty that day. She said it is like that every day. I asked what happens if you don't show up. She said it may take a while but a warrant will be issued for failure to appear for jury duty.

My friend's sister is a probation officer and she was telling us that an acquaintance of hers was pulled over for speeding on a Friday night. When the officer ran his info, a warrant showed up for not showing up for jury duty and he was arrested. Apparently he spent the weekend in jail b/c you have to wait for your hearing and they don't hold hearings on weekends.

Soooo, I guess it does eventually catch up with you. I just never want to find out for myself what happens!!

this is actually not quite true. since we live in the same state you should know excatly how it works. in MA (cant speak for all states) you are given 4 chances to appear. if you fail to do so then you may be arrested or fined.

here is a site that explains it.
http://www.mass.gov/courts/jury/failure.htm

 

[dhcoffey]

I've never been called for jury duty, but I do have a question: what typically happens if you get called and just don't show up? Do you get fined, go to jail? I'm curious because my Mother got a notice to appear for jury duty and she ignored it. She didn't get fined and no one came to hunt her down. Is this typical or did she just get lucky? Now, I'm not advocating anyone try this - I was horrified when I found out what she did and I was very surprised there were no repercussions.

In our court system here, if you don't show up for jury service, they send the sheriff out to get you and fine you $300.

 

[allison443]

I'm wondering if the "daycare" that she thinks is there is actually a DFS office. A lot of them have a makeshift playroom for kids who are there for a couple of hours in the process of being processed into the system.

Yes, I was thinking that might be what the poster was referring to...but that certainly is not in every courthouse like she said. I believe that poster said she was brought in as a witness so they had to accomodate her in order to get her to testify. I don't believe they would do the same for potential jurors, though.
And really, if people can't find a friend/neighbor/family member to watch their kids, why would they want to drop them off with a total stranger and other kids they don't know? I don't get how that is preferable to finding your own care.

 

[allison443]

this is actually not quite true. since we live in the same state you should know excatly how it works. in MA (cant speak for all states) you are given 4 chances to appear. if you fail to do so then you may be arrested or fined.

here is a site that explains it.
http://www.mass.gov/courts/jury/failure.htm

I think you bring up a good point...every state/county varies greatly. I am in NJ like the OP, but our county only requires you to serve for one day or one trial (if you get selected). The county OP is in requires a week. Also, some states allow exemptions for caretakers for young children, various occupations, etc., and others don't.
It is interesting to hear others' experiences, but really the best thing to do is for everyone to look up their jurisdiction's information and proceed from there.

 

[imthatgirl]

Yes, I was thinking that might be what the poster was referring to...but that certainly is not in every courthouse like she said. I believe that poster said she was brought in as a witness so they had to accomodate her in order to get her to testify. I don't believe they would do the same for potential jurors, though.
And really, if people can't find a friend/neighbor/family member to watch their kids, why would they want to drop them off with a total stranger and other kids they don't know? I don't get how that is preferable to finding your own care.

i said it was there, not that i would ever use it or that you could use it for jury duty. unfortuantely they couldnt find another witness and i had to in the other case. i dont actually do jury duty, so that doesnt pertain to me.

 

[imthatgirl]

I think you bring up a good point...every state/county varies greatly. I am in NJ like the OP, but our county only requires you to serve for one day or one trial (if you get selected). The county OP is in requires a week. Also, some states allow exemptions for caretakers for young children, various occupations, etc., and others don't.
It is interesting to hear others' experiences, but really the best thing to do is for everyone to look up their jurisdiction's information and proceed from there.

i looked it up for NJ and it actually doesnt say she cant use her kids as an out. it just says to submit reasons and they would go from there. so thats what she should do.

really all this bickering from everyone is in vain, because it doenst peratin to the OP.

 

[NotUrsula]

I have received three letters, calling to me to join the pool of potential jurors and been excused three times so far in the past two years. In Missouri.

I was nothing less than completely honest in filling out the preliminary questionaires, listing family members who've served as law enforement, my own lack of transportation, and undue hardship my service will cause as I am the primary caregiver to our developmentally disabled minor child.

If I were not excused, I would find a way to do my civic duty, even though we have no family in the area, let alone the same state.

I suspect that the fact that you had not one but 3 reasons played a role, especially the disability. Having law enforcement in the family meant that you have a high likelihood of being challenged, and thus are less valuable as a pool member, at least in criminal court. (Having law enforcement in the family doesn't normally matter at all in civil court.)

Lack of transportation is grounds in some areas and not in others -- in my jurisdiction (major city) they expect you to take the bus, and in fact will reimburse you the fare. Obviously, that isn't an option if you live in a community that lacks public transit.

My municipal court is the one I serve in most frequently, and that is the one that has put the rules about bringing children on the duty notice. Obviously, they had to have done that because it was a problem. (Along with showing up armed, which is also explicitly forbidden on the notice. What kind of an idiot would think it was OK to arrive for jury duty packing a gun? )

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I'm locking this one due to excessive fighting and rudeness.