PLEASE HELP Grand jury duty during my trip????? Just got summoned

[can'tgetenufofwdw]

I just recieved in the mail today a grand jury summons for 6/21. I called the # and spoke to a woman and explained to her that I have plane tickets and reservations for a 12 day trip to Disney and it's a surprise trip for my boys. Although my trip is for 6/23-7/6 I wanted to know exactly what this duty entailed. I know you report on certain days for a 3-4 month period of time. My fear is that I report on the 21st and before we leave for the day we are told to report back "next week". I will be in Disney. All the woman told me was "grand jury is much different that regular jury duty you can explain your situation on the return form but that doesn't mean that they will excuse you." I want to cry. I need this vacation and I can't afford to not go-mentally. Grampa just died 3 weeks ago and last week I got a letter from gyno that my second test results came back same as the first so I will need a biopsy to rule out any possible cancer. Sorry for the rant and the sympathy plee but if anyone can make me feel better you guys can. HELP

 

[Rozzie]

gosh how horrible, explain your case when you get there. Or you could act like a lunatic during the questioning where either side doesn't want to pick you. I saw more than one person answer questions weird when I had jury duty. I wonder what the penalty is for not showing? Gosh I sound like citizen of the year....

Really I would explain everything, and I would hope they would be reasonable. I can't imagine how you feel. Keep us posted.

hope this works out for you, major PD for you!!!

 

[meandtheguys2]

I know locally, our best bet is just to go down to the courthouse and talk to the person in charge. I used to be called all of the time and sent home immediately due to the many mental health facilities I had worked in. I knew the majority of the people involved. What was finally decided between all of us was that they would just call me when they were short, and it didn't seem there would be a problem. Not the norm, but I believe most people are pretty reasonable if you just go talk with them.

 

[texas munchkin]

I'm not sure where you are at, but here's a possible back up plan.

Some places allow you an automatic excuse if you have children under 10 that might be unsupervised if you served. You didn't mention your kids ages, but if they are younger than that you might not even have to go down. If they are younger I would try calling back to see if you got a different person on the phone .

 

[amyjo]

I'd suggest you fill out the return form and explain the situtation. Be polite and make it clear you have plane tickets and room reservations. If it were me, I'd even include a copy of the plane tickets, confirmation whatever you have (black out credit card numbers, of course). Then you will have proof. I feel quite confident they will excuse you--probably what they will do is give you a 6-month "suspension" then you'll have to serve. Also, where I live, they get really po'ed if you call or go down there before your date and are not particularly nice or helpful. But, if you fill out the form and do what it tells you, you can generally get out or postpone the duty. At least, in my experience. I was able to get out very easily when I got called a month before a due date for a pregnancy once. Worst case, you'll have to show up on the first day, and when they ask if anyone has a problem serving X amount of days, you can raise you hand and show your plane tickets (I'd bring copies of all of them that time) and explain why you can't.

 

[Tiger Fan]

In our area the cutoff age is 7 (school age), another thing we have is you can request an automatic delay ONE time. This might be your best option so see if that's a possibility. Good luck, I know I've heard before about this kind of thing and it seems it usually works out, hope this helps.
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[Evil Queen]

I would talk to them. My DS22 tried getting out of his by telling them that his Mom (me) is singlee and I rely on him for much child care, which I do, but it didn't work.

Sometimes medical reasons will work, or if you have to provide medical (in home) for a family membr.

Also, like the one poster said go there and give odd answers, that may get you out of it.

Good luck!

 

[Crankyshank]

That's awfully short notice that they are giving you. We get notices several months in advance.
I would definitely stop by the courthouse and explain that with the exceptionally short notice they gave you there is no way you can change your plans

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I once got called for jury duty (regular though, not grand) when I had a trip planned, and I just sent the return form back in saying I would be out of town on those dates, but I'd be happy to serve if they could please reschedule me to another week.

I was excused, and they never did reschedule me to another week.

I hope it's as easy for you. Good luck!

 

[ziggystardust]

My boss was called for grand jury last summer, 3 weeks before her wedding. They wanted her every friday for a year!

She told them that she would be happy to do it but that she would have to take 3 Fridays off b/c of her wedding and honeymoon. They said that they would call her back in a few months and that she would be excused.

Everything worked out.
Good Luck!

 

[Lewisc]

Almost any place will give you at least one postponement for almost any reason. Now if you've already gotten a few postponements you may be in trouble.

 

[DznyDreams]

I don't really have a different solution to offer the OP. GRAND jury duty is not at all like normal jury duty. Most of the "excuses" that have been suggested don't usually fly, except maybe being the primary care giver of a minor child. It's my understanding that once you receive a summons to serve on a Grand Jury, you're automatically on it -- not just up for selection like you are on "normal" jury duty.


My father had to serve 6 months on a grand jury once, and it was a real pain in the butt. However, the judge was very understanding of extenuating circumstances. She was apparently very flexible and always wanted help out any way she could. Maybe if you can't get out of it, you'll get someone as easy to work with.

That said, I would still try everything I could to get out of it at least for the trip. I think you can find a way to make it work. Do as amyjo has suggested and copy everything concerning the trip and send it along with your form. GOOD LUCK!!!!! I really hope everything works in your favor!!!!!

 

[Bev J]

This happened to me last year when we were to go on a Cruise, fully paid for. I sent a calm letter explaining I had a non refundable trip, included copies of the tickets, reservations. I asked to be excused for this round. Not a problem. No one wants a ticked off person on the jury, so it is likely they will defer you to the next time they need you. Don't call them, write the letter ASAP. Usually the courts call upon lots of people knowing that some will not be able to serve for what ever reason.

Don't consider just not showing up, you will return from your trip with a warrant out for you.
If you have to go then re-explain your situation to the court.

Good luck, let us know what happens.

Funcruiser

Funcruiser

 

[2x_dis_dad]

The first mistake you made was calling, now they know that you know you have been summoned. Next time just don't report. Was it sent registered mail? Chances are no. They have no proof that you ever received it unless you signed for it.

 

[DVCLiz]

The first mistake you made was calling, now they know that you know you have been summoned. Next time just don't report. Was it sent registered mail? Chances are no. They have no proof that you ever received it unless you signed for it.

Yes, but you must also be willing to endure having the sherriff come with a summons for your arrest - in our county, even failing to show up for regular jury duty gets you a summons, not to mention grand jury.

My housekeeper was called for the grand jury last year - one day a month for an entire year. No excuses except for illness with a doctor's note. She said it was an interesting experience, but not something she ever wanted to do again. I hate jury duty - always dread the whole expereince, but my friend would love to be on a jury. Different strokes!!!!

 

[Vijoge]

The first mistake you made was calling, now they know that you know you have been summoned. Next time just don't report. Was it sent registered mail? Chances are no. They have no proof that you ever received it unless you signed for it.

Not very civic minded of me I guess, but this is exactly what I would have done. Unfortunately this is no longer an option for the OP.

My ex served on the Grand Jury in Chicago this past winter. We don't even live in Chicago and you would think they could find enough people in a city that size, but no way. He's self-employed in a service related industry and had service calls scheduled but he had to cancel them because they refused to excuse him or postpone the dates. The first day he had to show up, and after that he had to call every evening to find out if he was needed the following day. So he never knew until about 9PM the night before and missed a whole lot of work and income. He was on the jury for two weeks and never did get called for a case, it just tied up his time and money. They
pay a stipend, but it's not much. The don't give much notice, either.

I hope the OP has better luck getting excused.

 

[tn_disney_addict]

I would ask my doctor to write me a note saying that your current medical condition is uncertain and that until that is resolved, you are not able to commit to any type of schedule.

Worth a try...

And by the way, good luck with the whole thing and God Bless you on your medical situation.

 

[rosemary4126]

IMHO you should go to the courthouse and request a 1 month deferment. If that cannot be granted by the first person you talk to keep working your way up the chain until you find someone who has the power to give you a deferment. You may have to set an appt with the DA or with the judge in charge of that grand jury. Be calm but be persistent. You have 2 choices on which path to take IMHO.

1. Take all your proof of vacation with you. Simply explain how much money it will cost you to miss this vacation. Add up what your loss will be before you go talk to anyone. Make the point that you are very willing to serve but would like to either finish your obligation before you leave or after you are due to come back. I really think asking for a deferment will get you a lot further than simply saying "I can't come".

2. If your emotional state is such that it classifies as a clinical problem that requires treatment from a doctor have your doctor write a letter to the court stating your diagnosis and asking for a deferment until your mental health can be re-established. He should state how long he thinks that might take. The key in both cases is to push the message that you are willing to serve but need a deferment.

You might wish to talk to your doctor and get the note and add the emotional element to the financial element if you have to.

Whatever you do get that form sent in on time and appear when they tell you that you have to. Being arrested will only make your emotional state worse IMHO.

If all else fails consider trip insurance if it's not too late. This will salvage most of the financial loss if your government decides to be hardnosed.

 

[megatann]

Weird...I got a summons to report the Monday I would be at DW. It wasn't Grand Jury, but I gave them such a sob story! It was my first trip ever to WDW, my son's 7th bday, my best friend just died, and I was a single mom who saved for years for this trip. They excused me!! This is the 5th time I've been excused. It's going to catch up with me one of these days. The first time I was called, was my due date when I was pregnant with my son, LOL! I don't think so.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

If they send you a letter in the mail not certified or in any way proving you received it- they can arrest you for not showing up/etc? That doesn't seem legal. They'd have to have some PROOF that you actually received it.