OT- Jury Duty- this just doesn't seem right to me

joonzgurl · #1 June 29th, 2012, 07:28 AM

So, I have this friend who lives in SC. She is a SAHM and they recently moved. She does not know anyone in their new place yet and her family is not close to her.

She was called for jury duty when the baby was younger, and they postponed it for her. But now she was called again (baby is 1) and they won't excuse her.

She has no one to watch her baby and is really upset about this.

Her husband can't call in to work and watch the baby because he is away on a business trip that week.

Does anyone else think this is just wrong? If it were me I would be contacting media. She is going to be forced to leave her baby with a stranger. Not a big deal to some, maybe, but to me (and to her) this is a big deal.

The judge even had the audacity to say that she has some time to "make some friends" between now and jury duty. How rude!

Mod-navywifey2003 · #2 June 29th, 2012, 07:41 AM

At least in CA there is an exemption for SAHMs who have no one to watch the baby. Im not sure what I would do. That sucks, I would feel the same way as you and her I would not want to leave my child with a stranger.

Dixana · #3 June 29th, 2012, 07:45 AM

I would be putting up a stink too. A huge one.
And what happens if the trial goes on for days and days?
It's ridiculous.

w292737 · #4 June 29th, 2012, 07:46 AM

It won't get you anywere to contact the media. it is your civic duty to serve n the jury when you are called.

~Rae~ · #5 June 29th, 2012, 07:52 AM

Here you can be excused if you care for a child who is not old enough to go to school or who is disabled. I was excused 3 years ago & haven't been contacted since.
If it were me & they wouldn't excuse me, I would have DH work SOMETHING out for the day. If he absolutely couldn't, then I wouldn't go. I'm not going to just leave my child with just anyone.

imRockysgal · #6 June 29th, 2012, 07:59 AM

That stinks.
I got called when Mateo was a month old. I was excused because I'm a nursing mom, but then I called again a few month later. I sent in a notice that I'm still a nursing mom and to recall me when baby is a year plus. It's such a waste of time for me. I'd never be selected as a police wife.

joonzgurl · #7 June 29th, 2012, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w292737

It won't get you anywere to contact the media. it is your civic duty to serve n the jury when you are called.

Maybe so, but how a mother who is worried sick about her child is going to be able to focus on her duty and do a fair and proper job is beyond me.

ashj_1218 · #8 June 29th, 2012, 08:27 AM

Totally lurking (I always do in this room, it's so active compared to September)

I would show up with baby in an Ergo and say that my "newfound friends" didn't appreciate being called into service so quickly after my introduction to them (mimicking the fact they called her for jury duty so quickly after a move to a new location). What are they gonna do, kick you out for having a kid? Hmmm, how convenient!!

w292737 · #9 June 29th, 2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joonzgurl

Maybe so, but how a mother who is worried sick about her child is going to be able to focus on her duty and do a fair and proper job is beyond me.

I guess its smething that needs to be thought about. when you register to vote you know that is something that could happen. if she was worried about it, she could have not registered or registered closer to the polling time.

My father was a farmer until a few years back. because of his need to be on his farm he never registered to vote, because if he got called for jury duty chores wouldn't get done. it's something he thought about before registering to vote.

I'm sure there are plenty of nice places that have done back ground checks where the toddler would be safe and secure, A local YMCA or other liscened daycare that could offere drop in care.

Also if she didn't want to serve, she coudl have her hubby take a day off. show up, and give some crap *** answers and the attorneys would excuse her.

She'll need to show, because it's not good if you don't. I don't know the exact penalty, but I know there is one.

Mod-navywifey2003 · #10 June 29th, 2012, 08:46 AM

It's not just registering to vote, it's also having a drivers license. So one may not have to be registered to vote but have a license and be called.

She stated her husband will be away on a business trip so he can't take the day off.

mandy5586 · #11 June 29th, 2012, 08:54 AM

If college kids can get off jury duty then surely she can get out of it. Or take the lurker's advice and show up with the baby in a carrier.

Ive never been called and I sure hope that I don't. Yuck.

I have some other view points on some of the replies, but I am in a training and shouldn't be on JM lol

~Rae~ · #12 June 29th, 2012, 09:28 AM

I'm strange. I actually WANT to do jury duty.

Not by any means necessary though. There will be plenty of years and plenty of opportunities for me to participate.
No one is going to FORCE me to leave me children. I leave them on my own terms with who I deem fit. Some people are not comfortable with daycares, especially when it is a one day thing and you don't have the opportunity to really get to know the center or sitter.
I would just have to pay the fine, but I have a feeling they wouldn't really assess her one after reviewing her case. Even judges get it wrong sometimes. He's wrong, and he needs to be called on it.

MommytoaMiracle · #13 June 29th, 2012, 09:52 AM

Yea, I agree with Rae! Not everyone is comfortable or okay with leaving their babies with anyone else. I would NOT leave Savannah with someone I'm not 100% comfortable with a daycare is completely out of the question in my household, so that just wouldn't be okay.
Poor thing sure is in a pickle

I feel bad for her. I hope she can work something out without getting into trouble.

Now I'm nervous I will get jury duty! haha

HeatherLopez · #14 June 29th, 2012, 11:09 AM

What state does she live in? I thought most states provided you with the option of getting out of it if you had young children at home and no one to watch them?

PurpleQueen · #15 June 29th, 2012, 12:12 PM

i was told if i didnt go id get a 2-3 thousand dollar fine so yeah i went it was terrible .... got lost on way there AND back...
had no cash fer food and couldnt even find a water fountain so i starved and was thirsty til i got home that evening

can i unregister to vote cause id LOVE to

Admin-Rachel · #16 June 29th, 2012, 06:02 PM

All she has to do is say that she believes that anyone charged with a crime is probably guilty. No attorney would allow her on the jury. She'd be away for maybe an hour tops.

I agree with Ro. It's your civic duty to serve jury duty when you're called. They are hardnosed about it, yes, but that's because they would get hit with excuse after excuse if they allowed it.

mccaroline · #17 June 29th, 2012, 07:24 PM

Has she already gone through jury selection and been choosen, or so far just called in to jury selection?

I got called in for jury selection while pregnant with DD2. As for those who said they just wouldn't show up if they were selected and didn't have anyone to watch their kids, in Canada, the penalty for that is automatic jail time along with a hefty fine! There were a few who didn't show for jury duty the day I was there, the judge issued warrants for their arrest right there on the spot.

I have no good suggestions as far as child care goes, but if she hasn't already been selected by the lawyers then she still has a good chance of getting out of it if she can prove personal hardship by serving. She will still have to show up for that day though. If she has already been selected for the trial, she'll be SOL.

DaniB+3 · #18 June 29th, 2012, 09:37 PM

I was on call for jury duty all this week. Luckily my county is boring so I never got called in. I am just fortunate that I have parents and in-laws around that can watch the kiddos so it wouldn't have been a huge deal to go. I'm like Rae - I kinda WANT to serve. I think it's the nosy part of me

.

#19 June 30th, 2012, 06:34 PM

I agree with ro..

Mama.Angie · #20 July 1st, 2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccaroline

I got called in for jury selection while pregnant with DD2. As for those who said they just wouldn't show up if they were selected and didn't have anyone to watch their kids, in Canada, the penalty for that is automatic jail time along with a hefty fine! There were a few who didn't show for jury duty the day I was there, the judge issued warrants for their arrest right there on the spot.

I didn't even know you could get called for jury duty here! I would kind of think it something interesting to be a part of...

I can understand not wanting to leave your child, everyone has their comfort levels. I hope she can come up with a solution!