I was required to report for jury duty this morning.
I did not have a good attitude about it at all. For starters, I had already filled out the paperwork to be exempt, when the summons first arrived. I have already served on Grand Jury this year, so I was suppose to be exempt for 2 years. Instead, I was repeatedly called by the automated message system, telling me to report. I attempted to contact the juror office, and could not find a living human being to speak to. My phone messages were not returned at all.
I did not get home from work until 1am. I had to report for jury duty by 7:45am. That is not enough sleep. I do not appreciate sleep deprivation.
The Referee had to coordinate working from home, on his new job, so that he could be home with the kids. We had no idea if this was going to be for the morning, or for the day, or what was at stake in our schedule. I have to work at 4pm, so I feared if I was stuck there all day, I would be late for my new job. Does jury duty leave even cover 2nd shift? It was all a big mess.
At 8am, I learned that there were only 3 reasons a person could be excused from jury duty at this point, but I did not fit any of them. I am younger than 70 years old, and I was not active duty military. I forget the 3rd reason, but it did not apply.
I was informed that my prior Grand Jury service did not qualify me for exemption, because it was a STATE Grand Jury, and this trial jury service was FEDERAL. Really? There are categories set up that can make me have to participate in jury duty for nearly half of the same year like this?
At this point in the process, I was considered part of a jury panel. A trial was scheduled. We had to go before the judge and attorneys for jury selection for this specific trial. Only the judge could dismiss me now.
I was quick to raise my hand when the judge asked if serving the next 3 days on a jury would be a burden for anyone. Me! Me! Yes, it is a burden for Me!
I explained to the judge that I was the primary educator of my children, as we homeschool. The state stipulates that only parents or legal guardians can homeschool. So, in order for me to attend jury duty, my husband would have to be home with the children. He just started a brand new job, and has no leave.
The judge asked me if I could re-arrange my schedule and school during off-peak hours? Really? Should I re-arrange my homeschool schedule so that I can then hire a babysitter while I go to jury duty? Childcare costs are not reimbursed by the court. Instead of saying those thoughts that were on my mind, I respectfully replied that I also started working a new job, and I work 2nd shift. I explained that I am usually sleeping early in the morning, instead of reporting for court. The judge nodded in agreement and answered, "I see."
Thankfully, the judge really did "see" my burden. I was not selected for the jury. I was dismissed by 11am, giving The Referee a chance to return to work for the afternoon.
I did not have a good attitude about it at all. For starters, I had already filled out the paperwork to be exempt, when the summons first arrived. I have already served on Grand Jury this year, so I was suppose to be exempt for 2 years. Instead, I was repeatedly called by the automated message system, telling me to report. I attempted to contact the juror office, and could not find a living human being to speak to. My phone messages were not returned at all.
I did not get home from work until 1am. I had to report for jury duty by 7:45am. That is not enough sleep. I do not appreciate sleep deprivation.
The Referee had to coordinate working from home, on his new job, so that he could be home with the kids. We had no idea if this was going to be for the morning, or for the day, or what was at stake in our schedule. I have to work at 4pm, so I feared if I was stuck there all day, I would be late for my new job. Does jury duty leave even cover 2nd shift? It was all a big mess.
At 8am, I learned that there were only 3 reasons a person could be excused from jury duty at this point, but I did not fit any of them. I am younger than 70 years old, and I was not active duty military. I forget the 3rd reason, but it did not apply.
I was informed that my prior Grand Jury service did not qualify me for exemption, because it was a STATE Grand Jury, and this trial jury service was FEDERAL. Really? There are categories set up that can make me have to participate in jury duty for nearly half of the same year like this?
At this point in the process, I was considered part of a jury panel. A trial was scheduled. We had to go before the judge and attorneys for jury selection for this specific trial. Only the judge could dismiss me now.
I was quick to raise my hand when the judge asked if serving the next 3 days on a jury would be a burden for anyone. Me! Me! Yes, it is a burden for Me!
I explained to the judge that I was the primary educator of my children, as we homeschool. The state stipulates that only parents or legal guardians can homeschool. So, in order for me to attend jury duty, my husband would have to be home with the children. He just started a brand new job, and has no leave.
The judge asked me if I could re-arrange my schedule and school during off-peak hours? Really? Should I re-arrange my homeschool schedule so that I can then hire a babysitter while I go to jury duty? Childcare costs are not reimbursed by the court. Instead of saying those thoughts that were on my mind, I respectfully replied that I also started working a new job, and I work 2nd shift. I explained that I am usually sleeping early in the morning, instead of reporting for court. The judge nodded in agreement and answered, "I see."
Thankfully, the judge really did "see" my burden. I was not selected for the jury. I was dismissed by 11am, giving The Referee a chance to return to work for the afternoon.
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