Help! Has anyone gotten out of jury duty for being a stay at home mom? [Archive] - Big Big Forums

denisemm

04-18-2002, 05:11 PM

I just don't know how I can do it. I don't have a car, I don't know how we would afford daycare for my son while I went (their $15 a day won't cover it!), and my husband doesn't have any vacation time left right now, and we certainly can't afford for him to stay home while I go.
And there is a phone number to call to try to be excused or at least postpone it, and every time I try to call its busy. Until after they close, then I get a recorded message saying to call back whenthey are open. Right now its for May 7th, and I definitely can't go then, but I can't get through to tell them that, but if I'm not there it says I can get a fine and/or warrant. I don't knwo what to do! Anybody have advice??

cpbaby

04-18-2002, 05:12 PM

I dunno, never been called. Maybe if you took you child with you......

nosamiam

04-18-2002, 05:17 PM

I think if you let them know you don't have any one to take care of your child you can get out of it.

nosamiam

04-18-2002, 05:22 PM

got this from http://www.chiprowe.com/articles/jury.html

LOL some of these are funny!

Here's my list, in case you get called and need to demonstrate your inability to render a fair and impartial judgment. Wait until the judge calls you to the bench to discuss your situation before you blurt any of these out, so the other commoners won't steal your material:

I can tell if people are guilty by looking at them.
I'm attracted to you, your honor.
If a police officer told me I was a bug, I would believe him.
Is it murder if I haven't been caught?
My religion prohibits me from sitting near other people.
Would I have to bathe?
Can each of my personalities vote in deliberations?
Laws are for sissies.
Your marshall's handcuffs are turning me on.
I'm allergic to justice.
I'm deaf. (Answer questions thereafter by cupping hand and shouting "What?")
A pit bull named [defendant's first name] just killed my baby.
I have Tourette's Syndrome, you ****ing *******.
I get dizzy if I try to weigh evidence.
Have you ever done this, your honor? (Chop off your ear with a razor).
An eye for an eye? I say we take his head for an eye! (Point at defendant).

__________________________________________________ ________________

Sorry but I have to add a funny thing from that site.

In the News

In Athens, Georgia, a judge sentenced a juror to two days in jail. In order to get out of jury duty, she had someone phone the courthouse to say her father had died. The suspicious judge sent an investigator to find the father, who was very much alive at a local trailer park.

catwoman76

04-18-2002, 05:33 PM

I don't know if they will or not. I have heard of a farmer that was right in the middle of calving with no hired hand and they wouldn't let him off.:mad: Not very understanding.

My husband got a letter for July.:rolleyes:

lilmeanie43

04-18-2002, 06:29 PM

This is why I don't register to vote... ppl get so pissy with me 'you need to vote' blah blah blah... Yes, I guess in a perfect world I should vote, but I'd rather not have to do jury duty, so I don't vote. I know it's a stupid reason... cause technically I'd never be on a jury more than a couple of days anyway... most trials w/ the exception of murder trials are over in 2 days max (most I said, don't jump on me)... and I don't believe in the death penalty, so I'd never be on a murder trial... I don't really care to vote anyways... I'm pretty indifferent when it comes to what politician is running what office. And circumstances always change... I would have voted for Gore had I voted, but now I'm glad bush won.

Anyway, back to the subject... I hope you get out of it, I know it's an inconvenience. Hubby had to get up and be there at 7:30 3 days in a row... just to be dismissed finally on the 3rd day... what a pain.

cpbaby

04-18-2002, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by lilmeanie43
This is why I don't register to vote...

Here, when you renew your drivers license, you are atumatically signed up for jury duty.:mad: :( :mad:

Vixen

04-18-2002, 07:24 PM

Yes, well where I am from if you have a young child that you are the sole childcare provider for then yes you can skip jury duty but you have to call the number on the back of the card and let them no.. they dont hassle you here you just tell them why they say ok and mark you off the list.

denisemm

04-18-2002, 11:48 PM

lilmeanie, I'm not registered either, for this specific reason. Turns out here they use DMV records. I got a notice fromt he DMV that my driver's license expired on my birthday (my 29th) about 2 days before I got the jury summons. UGH! Thanks for the ideas, hopefully I will be able to get a hold of them, and get out of it. If we could afford it I might just go do it for a little change of pace, but we just can't afford it right now.

lameduch27

04-19-2002, 04:21 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lilmeanie43
This is why I don't register to vote...

My mom always told me that too, and I have never registered either. Even so, I just got my first jury summons on Monday,,,,:(

nooshu

04-19-2002, 05:46 AM

Yes, they do let you out if you are the one that cares for your child. Even if they are school age, you tell them that you are the one getting them to and from school. Like vixen said, you call that number on card and explain your situation. You should have no problem.

sdmay3

04-19-2002, 05:48 AM

I got picked for jury duty in December. I stay at home with my baby and I do child daycare in my home. The judge did not care. My husband had to take off work so that I could go and my daycare kids had to go somewhere else for the day. So I lost the money I would have earned for the day and my husband had to use one of his personal days. When we appeared for court the judge told us that now about the only thing they will let you go for is a medical condition. She told us that they even had a surgeon that had surgeries scheduled and he had to cancel them to appear for jury duty. Anyway, me and about 75 other people showed up and the person that was to go on trial got scared and changed their plea to guilty so we all got to go home.

Lora_1994

04-19-2002, 05:55 AM

Originally posted by lameduch27

My mom always told me that too, and I have never registered either. Even so, I just got my first jury summons on Monday,,,,:( [/B]

IM ONE OF THOSE LUCKY PEOPLE THAT GET OUTTA IT, IVE HAD ONE NOTICE TO GO FOR JURY DUTY, AND WHEN I PUT ON THERE THAT MY DAD WAS A COP, IVE NEVER HAD TO GO BACK. I GUESS THATS ONE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR PARENT BEING A COP..LOL

MsLynn

04-19-2002, 06:34 AM

tell them its a financial hardship, you would have to pay someone more than you'll be comsensated for jury duty and you just can't afford to do it.

jury duty is one thing, LUCKILY i'll never have to worry about

captorquewrench

04-19-2002, 08:33 AM

i understand if there are hardships keeping people from jury duty. but it's been my experience that it was very informative and educational. I actually enjoyed my jury duty. Getting htere was a pain even tho metro takes you free when you show your summons, and all teh alking in the tunnls downtown, and waiting, and interviewing, GAH! i think everyone should do it at least once. it's very hard to get jurors. i read a few months ago, near dallas, i think, where the bailiffs were at walmart to pull people for jury duty because no one was showing up.

but depending on your state and the laws if there is no other provider for them....you should be able to get out of it. it's rotten that they have no other alternative contacts. is there a postal address where you can write them a letter? i would start calling about 5-10 min before they are scheduled to open office. im sure you tried that tho. im sorry for you.

Angelseyes28

04-19-2002, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by lilmeanie43
This is why I don't register to vote...

Same here......I would love to vote, but not if it automatically puts me on a list for jury duty.......thanks, but no thanks. Here in MS the only way you will be called for jury duty is if you are registered to vote.

mimi37

04-19-2002, 08:47 AM

I received a notice last week to go for jury duty on May 7th. I called the number on the back of the card and explained to them that it would be a financial hardship. My husband will have to take off work to watch our 4 year old son. (Their compensation of $9 a day certainly won't help us much.) I was told I cannot get out of it because I claimed financial hardship once before and got out of it. I just hope I don't get a lengthy trial or we will be in trouble financially. With 4 kids we can't afford to lose several day's pay.

captorquewrench

04-19-2002, 09:10 AM

they dont just go by voter registration for jury duty pulls. they will use tax records, DMV records, etc., heck they've resorted to pulling people out of walmart! So vote!

Leadie

04-19-2002, 09:29 AM

I know this sounds really funny, but my mom did not want to do jury duty and she sent the paper back in stating that she had a urinary incontenence problem and could not sit for long periods of time without frequent trips to the restroom. She has had 3 children and I have 2 and anyone with kids knows that things DO loosen up!!! Anyways, she was excused without any questions--can you imagine the person opening that envelope!!!! They never called or anything and she did not need a Drs. note or anything--Many people don't see a Dr. with this problem anyways. They just sent her a letter saying she was excused. My dad is another funny one--He stated on his that it is against his moral beliefs-- he wrote-"judge not lest ye be judged" --He also recieved a letter to be excused without any questions. Just some true examples of what worked here in Ohio last year. Good Luck!!! ;)

Zenngrl

04-19-2002, 10:04 AM

I am sorry, but there are so many more beneficial reasons to vote than to not just for the sake of being on a jury. It's a part of our legal system that keeps us all free. I registered to vote the day I turned 18 and I am 25 now, and have yet to be called for jury duty. And the majority of people who do get called, several friends & family have all been called and they show up only to be sent home 5 minutes after they arive with a check for $20.00

Not everything is pleasant in life, and if you don't vote, you really don't have a right to complain about the system.

My opinion, don't attack me, please.

asforever

04-19-2002, 11:26 AM

No excuse for being a mom, but when my son was alive and he had a severe heart problem so know one liked to watch him, I just took him with me. I was excused before I even got in the door. Good luck on escapeing your community mission of HE**!

crazywhitetrash

04-19-2002, 11:42 AM

I don't know here moly advice is speakerphone redial all day long!

In England your/spouse job is required to give paid leave for jusr duty and all expeses reimbursed

denisemm

04-19-2002, 03:46 PM

I finally got through! I was excused, they took my phone number, and I imagine someone will call to see if I really am a SAHM.
Its not that I just don't want to do it, if I had someone to watch my son & a car to get there (we don't have public transportation here), I would go just for a break from everyday life. Just right now it would be really difficult.

So, now I am totally going to go register to vote! I always wanted to, but I was afraid of the jury duty thing, because I always thought that's how they do it. So all this time I've been feeling bad that I'm not registered to vote, and it didn't even matter, that's not how they do it! Boy do I feel silly! I'm going to register to vote!! Am I a dork for being excited about being able to vote?! LOL!

oh, crazywt, here most emplayers will re-imburse, not always the whole amount, though, usually like 60%. I don think they are required to, but it kind of makes them look bad if they don't. But they won't do it if its the spouse, like in my situation. That would be nice if they did!

lilmeanie43

04-19-2002, 04:22 PM

Originally posted by Zenngrl Not everything is pleasant in life, and if you don't vote, you really don't have a right to complain about the system.
[/B]

Well seeing as I didn't complain about anything other than to explain why I don't register to vote and why I wouldn't vote even if I were registered, your comment was a bit uncalled for... I am well aware of this opinion, it's not like it's uncommon... but please wait for me to complain before I get the lecture next time. :)

penguinlady61

04-19-2002, 04:28 PM

I have been called exactly one time.. when they went throught the screening process they asked some questions and I just said " well he looks guilty to me I'd send him to jail..they say just like that without hearing proof. Are you prejudiced? I answer no he just looks like a criminal Honest to goodness never called to be on duty again!

Temptress

04-20-2002, 10:53 AM

me and my mom-in-law were picked for the same jury duty...since she is the only one I let watch my kids I called in saying my babysitter was called too...so I got off. She called in saying that she had a retarded sister to take care of...she got off. Then it turned out to be my uncle's case anyway.

MOMMYOF2BOYZ

04-20-2002, 11:08 AM

tell them it would be a hardship, worked for my sister. i my self have never had the honer of being called upon

Mikaela

04-20-2002, 11:25 AM

Do what my mother in law did, she told them; that was against her religion to judge people, only God does that. She didnt have to appear. worth a shot. ( by the way, my mother in law is very religious). Good Luck!!

yma13

04-20-2002, 01:36 PM

I've gotten out of it a few times - have 3 kids (ages 1,3,5) . i just wrote on the back of the card it would be a financial hardship> my hubby and i are both self-employed and work alone. I work at home along with raising my kids and have no babysitters or relatives near by to come watch my kids. i just said they can call back when the yougest one is in school full-day. Hopefully that will last until 2006.

kelblend

04-21-2002, 08:09 PM

tracym1966

09-21-2006, 06:47 PM

Hi, just to let you know I am not registered to vote. But next Monday I go for Jury duty and that will be the second time . I am going to call tomorrow I hope I they cancel.

This is why I don't register to vote... ppl get so pissy with me 'you need to vote' blah blah blah... Yes, I guess in a perfect world I should vote, but I'd rather not have to do jury duty, so I don't vote. I know it's a stupid reason... cause technically I'd never be on a jury more than a couple of days anyway... most trials w/ the exception of murder trials are over in 2 days max (most I said, don't jump on me)... and I don't believe in the death penalty, so I'd never be on a murder trial... I don't really care to vote anyways... I'm pretty indifferent when it comes to what politician is running what office. And circumstances always change... I would have voted for Gore had I voted, but now I'm glad bush won.

Anyway, back to the subject... I hope you get out of it, I know it's an inconvenience. Hubby had to get up and be there at 7:30 3 days in a row... just to be dismissed finally on the 3rd day... what a pain.

ladyfoob

09-22-2006, 06:34 AM

I had jury duty last year. I got out of it because my son was under the age of 10 and I was the primary caregiver and I might not of been home by the time he was home from school. The card that they sent me for Jury Duty had a place where you circle the reason why you can't make it and mail it back to them. I hope this helps. :)