Jury Duty??

Geek_Girl · May 2011

So, I've been putting off jury duty because we don't have anyone to watch DS. DH is in the middle of several big projects at work so the likelihood of him being able to take a week off or even "work from home" (which would be a joke - DS wouldn't give him a break).

The only person that isn't working full-time is my step-mother and while we sort of get along, this is the same woman that allowed my step-brother to molest me for 3 years and when I told my dad, she convinced him that it was just "kids playing doctor". She also disagrees with just about every parenting choice we have made so her actually sticking to how we do things for the sake of consistency for DS is highly unlikely. So, um, no, I will not be leaving DS alone with her for any kind of extended period.

The thing is that we don't have anyone that could watch DS. I told the jury folks that and they're basically like "too bad".

Financially, it would be rough, if I have to go - I'd have to pay someone to watch DS and I'm looking at around $150 and since I have nothing that could even be remotely considered "business casual", I'd have to buy a week's worth of new clothing (none of my pre-pg stuff fits), my guess is that I could get away with doing this for about $150. So, essentially I'd be spending about $300 to do jury duty.

Any thoughts, ideas, etc, on how to handle this?

Stacyc625 · May 2011

where are you getting a week from???

Geek_Girl · May 2011

Our local jury requires that you have to be available/show up for a week.

Stacyc625 · May 2011

right- however the probability of you serving for a full week is like slim to none-

eaglesfan700 · May 2011

I am really torn on this issue. On the one hand, I feel very strongly that if asked to serve, it is very much your civic duty to do it. I feel like all the people I would want on a jury are the ones always trying to get out of it.

On the other hand, I can see the hardship it would cause. I have already done it several times, but that was before kids. Now, I would also have to get someone to watch the LO's. I could maybe use family, but if it was for a whole week we would pay someone but we would have to find someone, and that takes time.

The money wouldn't be an issue for us, but I can see how it would be a hardship for a lot of people. I would just explain yourself in writing and ask to be considered later. The thing is, you are going to have to do it at some point so IF they let you out now, you are still going to get called again and will need to figure out something

Geek_Girl · May 2011

That's good to know, but I still don't have anyone to watch DS. And there's also the possibility that I won't have to go, but I won't find out until the night before. So, I still have to have something lined up for that Monday.

I'm trying to think positively (as in "hey, I have an excuse to buy new clothes" LOL) but I just don't know what to do with DS.

Geek_Girl · May 2011

eaglesfan700:
I am really torn on this issue. On the one hand, I feel very strongly that if asked to serve, it is very much your civic duty to do it. I feel like all the people I would want on a jury are the ones always trying to get out of it.
On the other hand, I can see the hardship it would cause. I have already done it several times, but that was before kids. Now, I would also have to get someone to watch the LO's. I could maybe use family, but if it was for a whole week we would pay someone but we would have to find someone, and that takes time.
The money wouldn't be an issue for us, but I can see how it would be a hardship for a lot of people. I would just explain yourself in writing and ask to be considered later. The thing is, you are going to have to do it at some point so IF they let you out now, you are still going to get called again and will need to figure out something

That's the thing - I really don't have a problem with serving. I think it would be really interesting.

I've already postponed it twice, and I guess they've decided I can't postpone any longer.

The idea that's percolating in my head right now is that DH can work from home while my step-mom comes over to watch DS.

charlatti · May 2011

Stacyc625:
right- however the probability of you serving for a full week is like slim to none-

That widely varies. In our county, it depends on the court you're called to. DH has had jury duty a handful of times and each one has been different -- one court required him to show up every single day and hang around until at least early afternoon. (I don't think business casual was ever specified for that, either -- he said plenty of people wore jeans and whatnot.)

Edited to add: Could you find a late high school or college age student or two to come to your house? That might make the cost a little more manageable.

Fishstyx · May 2011

Geek_Girl:
since I have nothing that could even be remotely considered "business casual", I'd have to buy a week's worth of new clothing (none of my pre-pg stuff fits),

Just a note on this, your attire is entirely up to you (at least in my county). Although you may feel better with a new wardrobe, I doubt it's necessary. When I served, it seemed that roughly half of the people showed up in dirty jeans and ratty t-shirts. Some were still chosen.

MamatoJackson · May 2011

Fishstyx:
Geek_Girl:
since I have nothing that could even be remotely considered "business casual", I'd have to buy a week's worth of new clothing (none of my pre-pg stuff fits),
Just a note on this, your attire is entirely up to you (at least in my county). Although you may feel better with a new wardrobe, I doubt it's necessary. When I served, it seemed that roughly half of the people showed up in dirty jeans and ratty t-shirts. Some were still chosen.

Yeah, you definitely don't have to dress up for it. Not to poop on your bright spot.

NYDay · May 2011

If it helps, I recently was called and when I showed up and handed in my card (the one where they ask your job and if your employer will pay your wages) I wrote "n/a". The jury commissioner took me aside and asked if I was a SAHM. When I told her I was she marked me as having served and I am excused for 4 years.

mrsfirefly · May 2011

Option A: Get DH to take one day off and in the jury selection process tell them why you would be an unfair juror (i.e. when I went it was a guy on trial for molestation and I told them I would err on the side of him being guilty which makes me unfair).

Option B: Tell them you breastfeed and they might let you off.

penguingrrl · May 2011

Can you prove that the cost of childcare would cause an economic hardship? I was able to prove that a few years ago and I'll be excused for a long time because of that. In my state a SAHP is not automatically exempt, but if you can prove you have insufficient income to pay for childcare you are excused. I had to send DHs paystubs, our prior year's tax paperwork and our daughter's birth certificate, but could prove that it would create a significant financial hardship to serve. I was disappointed since I've wanted to serve jury duty since I turned 18 and was never called until I couldn't possibly serve and tried to find a way, but we don't have family that doesn't work except me, so there was nobody to watch DD. Hopefully when the kids are in school I'll be called again because I'd love to serve!

Oh, and DH served this year and said that he was overdressed in khakis and a polo shirt.

Geek_Girl · May 2011

Just wanted to pop in and say 'thanks' for sharing your experiences and all that.

I think DH is going to try to reschedule his work load and take off whatever time I need. I mentioned the option of having my stepmother here to help but he kind of thinks its pointless, LOL.

I'm going to double-check the dress code but I'm positive it said that jeans, t-shirts, etc. weren't permitted.

Thanks again!

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