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Post by ALLISA on Jan 30, 2006 8:58:39 GMT -5
Hi all.... The recent post about Handicap Plate got me thinking about something else..... I was recently summoned for jury duty and sent back the form saying it was a hardship for me because I am a single mom, work full time and have 2 children with Special/Medical needs.....Erin (DS) and Ty (Diabetes). CHildcare is very difficult for me to come by...and they are saying that isn't sufficeint reason....anyone else ever have an issue trying to get out of jury duty ? I have served twice before on a jury....first time the case was almost 2 weeks long and the second one was 4 days....that's a long commitment for me when I barely have time to pee alone !! LOL Allisa PS>>>>>now that I reread my post. maybe jury duty would be like a "forced" vacation for me !! LOL But seriously...who would watch my children ??
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Post by momofrussell on Jan 30, 2006 9:38:45 GMT -5
You know what.. I have never served Jury Duty. Years ago.. in CA... when I was just 18 or so.. they use to still accept doc notes.. and I have a birth defect in my lower back and was also wearing a back brace for other back issues... so, I got out of jury duty due to medical reasons. Then they changed it in CA to where you couldn't do that.. but at one point I was living in a different county.. so again.. I got out of it. I actually got Jury Duty for the OJ trial But I didn't have to go. The next time I got jury duty I was married, 2 kids, one with needs and now a SAHM, on the back of the CA form they ask for you to explain if it's a hardship and I explained and never served. Then after 3 yrs in MO I recently got a form for Jury Duty and although there form and requirements for hardship are different then in CA, they do have hardship criteria.. and you have to submit a letter with your response.. I did it and never heard back.. so I don't think I am going to have to serve... it was a few months back now. I know it sounds like I am getting out of my civic duties but unless I had someone to help me watch and take care of the kids while Regan and Kevin aren't around.. then there is no way I could. Some day, I know that will change and I will have to, and I have no probs with that, but for now it is a hardship and I request I don't do it. A.
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Post by ValerieC on Jan 30, 2006 10:07:00 GMT -5
I've been either pregnant or nursing for the last 8 years. I've been called for jury duty while nursing young ones. Now mine never took a bottle, not because of me, but because of them. I think I've been called for duty some 4 times and I got out of it each time because of nursing babies. I've never tried to get out of jury duty because of a disability or having a child with a disability though.
I, like A, am not trying to get out of my civic duties either, but when my life is more conducive, I will definitely serve.
Valerie C
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Post by Debbie on Jan 30, 2006 15:56:02 GMT -5
I have had the jury summon's in the mail twice. It would have been very difficult for me since I am not able to drive. I was kind of interested the first time but not the second time when I received the summon's. I was afraid it would be a murder trial. You never know what it will be though. Transportation would have been hard for me since the trial would be in the next town. And when I get tired I have a hard time with concentration. I got out of it by sending them a doctor's note. I think my case would definitely be a hardship. As far as proving the Down syndrome, that could be harder! I don't come across to a person as having it.
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Post by justinsmom on Jan 30, 2006 16:22:24 GMT -5
I have gotten 2 summons one for the city and one for the county. I went in for the city summons but luckily it was settled prior to trial. For the city one it was close by and my MIL could handle Justin and if an emergency arouse I was only 5 minutes away. Now for the county it is further away and those are usually the longer ones, so I wrote a letter explaining that I had a Special Needs child and that I had no one to watch Justin and since he was under the age of 5 I had no transportation for him to school from a daycare center since here they won't transport under 5. Not to mention that the only daycare center that would accept a special needs child around here wanted 250.00 dollars a week and still without transportation to school. I was excused and haven't been summoned as of yet. I would like to serve on a jury I think it would be interesting but I just don't have the options available for childcare. Not to mention there is no way my MIL could handle him for a long period of time plus she doesn't get around all that fast either and he is a fast little bugger
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Post by Monique on Jan 30, 2006 19:52:03 GMT -5
Well thats ridiculous. Is there a number you can call? Maybe whoever read your reason did not FULLY understand what it means or maybe they sent you someone elses note? who knows but I would definately pursue that you cannot swing it. I would re-write another letter.
Gosh, good luck with that.
monique
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Post by Emilysmom on Jan 30, 2006 20:47:01 GMT -5
See Allisa, I think that's a perfectly good reason to NOT be on a jury!!! And the silly thing is that there are people like me who have never ever been on a jury and could do it so much easier than you! What's up with that anyway? It's not that I just WANT to be on a jury, but I do think I could serve in that role if I was selected.......without the hardships that you would have. I wonder if there is anyone "higher" you could go to about this?
Susan
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Post by momofrussell on Jan 30, 2006 21:22:55 GMT -5
You know.. I must have not read your post all the way I didn't realise you claimed "hardship" but they said it wasn't good enough. I know it maybe a hardship to even get there for the first day.. but I wonder if you go and explain it AGAIN to them.. they will let you get out of it? I would try it. Gosh.. I've never been denied my hardships.. but all states are different with this. Good luck!!! A.
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Post by CC on Jan 30, 2006 22:02:39 GMT -5
In New Jersey being a parent of one with a disability as long as they are living home, is an automatic excuse from doing jury duty. Well I guess I should say being a single parent or the Mom is an automatic excuse. CC
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Post by ALLISA on Jan 31, 2006 9:36:51 GMT -5
Thnaks for the input guys.....I, too I am not trying to shirk my civic duty, I've done it before and I would be pleased to do it again.....but truly.....I can't swing any kind of time away from home & feel it is a true hardship case..... Thanks for your insight ! Allisa
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Post by Connie on Jan 31, 2006 9:45:21 GMT -5
Allisa, Show up with your kids....they'll get the picture and excuse you immediately!!! LOL Well atleast I know with my crew they would!! Connie
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Post by ALLISA on Jan 31, 2006 9:59:22 GMT -5
LMAO !! Connie I LOVE that !!!!! "picture Perfect" response !!
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Post by momofrussell on Jan 31, 2006 10:10:44 GMT -5
You know.. that isn't a bad idea... if you can't get daycare.. you show up with the kids.. try not to be too cheeky LOLOL.. but just say.. well, I tried to claim hardship but it was denied.. so since I am a single mother to two kids, one with needs.. here I am!
I actually think that is SPLENDID!!!!
A.
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Post by ValerieC on Jan 31, 2006 13:21:19 GMT -5
I was just about to say the same thing! I've thought about before myself.
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Post by donnita on Jan 31, 2006 13:38:41 GMT -5
I would take my kids with me, too. Whoever read your response must have thought you were exaggerating just to get out of jury duty. Show 'em you were serious.
Good luck! Donnita
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