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Jury duty summons- help!

see2211see2211 member
in 3rd Trimester

I just received a jury duty summons to appear on Nov. 1.  I am due Oct. 9th, and I know that my doctor won't induce any earlier than a week after my due date, if I still haven't delivered by then.  So by Nov. 1, I could have anywhere from a 2 week to 1 month old baby.  I am planning on BFing, and I was not planning to pump until a week or two after I get the hang of it. 

I am really concerned- not only would this most likely be the first time that I would be leaving my LO, I feel like I would possibly be forced into pumping before I am ready.  I keep thinking that there must be some way that I can get my summons postponed- it just doesn't seem right to have to serve so soon after giving birth!  I'm really not just trying to get out of jury duty- I would love the chance to serve my community.  It's just such a horrible time.  Anyone know if there is anything I can do? 

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Re: Jury duty summons- help!

  • GavsMomAlready+NewbieGavsMomAlready+Newbie member
    The secret is... Go in to selection (If you get picked) wearing some crazy religious Tee-shirt. You'll get thrown right off.
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  • mrsashbymrsashby member
    Most places will delay for a year if you are breastfeeding/just gave birth etc...
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  • cpmichcpmich member
    Call the court -- there should be a number on the summons.  If you explain the situation, they will likely issue a postponement.  Most courts would postpone you for 6 months.
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  • JennGKJennGK
    That's way too early after you give birth.  I'm sure you could get a letter from your doctor.
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  • babyikebabyike member

    This happened to me when I was 36 weeks with DD.  I got out with no issues.

    On the summons there should be a box/option for caregiver of a child under the age of 12 yrs old (something like that).  This should be enough to get you out of it.  Whatever you do... if there is an option to respond to your summons online... DON'T DO IT.  This basically automatically guarantees you will be selected.  GL!

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  • lexy61384lexy61384
    I actually recieved one for 10/17 my due date is 10/23 but on the summons there was a wesite where i was able to post pone it to a date of my choice within 1 year......so i;m going in april after i return to work so i can get a paid day off :) and beore i start back at school in  the evening lol.
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  • pitterpatter129pitterpatter129 member
    I got out of jury duty sometime when I was in college.  I think there is a form online or a address on the summons to send a letter - just tell them you will be breastfeeding and have a two week (month?) old baby.  I'm sure they will understand a woman on maternity leave cannot attend jury duty; for one thing it has to be against some sort of rule to make someone that could technically be on a leave that the federal government requires workplaces to give to attend jury duty.  They let me out just because I had to attend college classes! 
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  • HoonFanHoonFan
    I received a summons when I was still on maternity leave.  I was released when the judge asked if I would be able to sit for jury duty.  I told the judge I was engorged and breast feeding and that I was unable to sit.  It was embarrassing because I had to say it in front of everyone, but he looked just as embarrassed and gave me a release.
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  • Erin RNErin RN
    In CA you can get out of jury duty for a year if you are breastfeeding. There was a box on the back of the form. You just would have to wait until LO is born before sending the form in. If that isn't how it works in your state, I would look for a number on the sheet and explain your situation.
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  • CarilynCarilyn

    You'll still be on medical leave.  You should be able to get out of it for that reason alone (with doctor's note).

    I got summoned when my DS was 9months old and were still BFing (though not exclusively at that point since I work FT).  I wrote a nice little note on the back of the sheet that you send in stating that I am a BFing mother and would require a room, privacy, and time (30min every 4 hours) to pump.  I never heard from them again.  Don't stress about it.  Either way, you shouldn't have to serve this soon.

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  • rhoneelynnrhoneelynn
    I would give the number on the summons a call.  Not to sound snotty, but they will not want a woman who had a baby that recently serving on the jury.  They will not want to risk having to deal with hormones, baby blues, or any of the other things that come along with a woman who is still on maternity leave.  The courts know/understand why maternity leave is there!
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  • 8yearslater8yearslater member

    It depends on the state you live in.  Some states have an automatic exemption, based on your word only, that you are the sole caregiver of a child or adult requiring 24-hour care.  You check the box and that's that for a year. It's actually a relatively new "family friendly" rule that some more progressive states have instituted.  Some other states think that it's all hogwash and you need to prove that you can't sit.  Bring your box of extra-long super-absorbancy pads with you if you have to go.

    As the previous posters have said, call the number and talk to whomever is in charge.  Just state the situation.  Don't sermonize or whine or cry. Make sure to get a name and a confirmation number or code if they exist. It's just smart to CYA.

    For me, I was called when I was in my first trimester.  I called the court and said, "Hi, I just found out I'm pregnant and I'm doing OK, but the morning nausea comes and goes, pretty strongly sometimes. I'm afraid of being caught in an embarassing situation if I'm selected and stuck in the jury box should I need to vomit."

    The jury clerk said that it's absolutely no problem, and in a year when I'm called again, I just check off the box that I'm caring for a newborn and the summons will be deferred another year.

    But I also live in NJ, where this attitude is pretty much the law. You may not be so lucky.

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  • see2211see2211 member
    Thank you all for your suggestions.  I will call today and hope that they are understanding of my situation and postpone my summons for at least a few months! 
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  • deltadawn79deltadawn79
    ask for a deference there should be a form you can fill out that is attached to the summons you received they will usually waive you at least once for medical reasons, but expect to get another one about 6 months later
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