Jury Duty, really?

[Kristi26]

I just came home from the playground with the kids, checked the mail, and I was served with jury duty papers! My reporting date? September 10th! I can't do that! Who is going to teach the kids? Who is going to WATCH my kids?? It's simply impossible!

[Hitchkids]

Quite often being a homeschooling parent or being the sole care provider for young children under 5 is an allowable excuse for jury duty. Last time I was called I was able to get a 2 year excuse due to being the primary care provider for children under 5. Granted, it took calling twice before I got someone who was willing to be honest and tell me that was an option. The first lady said there was nothing that could be done other than putting my name back into the general pot for another day and hoping for the best. Since I had an exclusively breastfed baby at the time, I was not happy with that response but the next time my name came up, the lady I got on the phone was much nicer, friendly, and willing to help.

[The3LittleBerkhs]

I've been excused before. I just filled out the card saying I was the SAHM to two young children. It worked out.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using DS Forum

[my2sweets]

I was called 4yrs ago. I was excused because I was tye main care provider for a child under 10. Havent been called back since.

[Kristi26]

I got excused two years ago because I was breastfeeding a baby. I just called and though I am the teacher and mother to 4 kids 12, 9, 6, and 3, the very rude man I spoke to said that I couldn't get out of it.

[iris0110]

I'm a SAHM and am allowed to opt out of Jury duty as the only care taker of children under the age of 12 who would be "without adequate supervision" without me. I don't know what happens when my oldest hits 12 as he will be in no way capable of looking after his brother for the day (ASD) but I guess we will cross that bridge when we get there. I will probably call in and ask them about it. I have considered telling them that I am not of sound mind and good moral character (I'm an atheist after all, they wouldn't let me on a jury in TX anyway) but figure I would have to come in and prove it. My issue is I can't get to the court house even if I could get some one to watch my kids, I can't drive.

[Kristi26]

So I think I'm going to send in a letter anyway. Even though the guy said I was stuck. What do you think of this:

"I received a jury duty notice in the mail today, July 18, 2012. I cannot serve on a jury at this point in time. It would cause undue hardship. I am a stay-at-home mother to four children, ages 12, 9, 6, and 3. I am their caregiver during the day and there is no one else to watch them for any sort of prolonged period of time. I am respectfully asking that you excuse me from jury duty in September.

Thank you."

[Kristi26]

So I think I'm going to send in a letter anyway. Even though the guy said I was stuck. What do you think of this:

"I received a jury duty notice in the mail today, July 18, 2012. I cannot serve on a jury at this point in time. It would cause undue hardship. I am a stay-at-home mother to four children, ages 12, 9, 6, and 3. I am their caregiver during the day and there is no one else to watch them for any sort of prolonged period of time. I am respectfully asking that you excuse me from jury duty in September.

Thank you."

[The3LittleBerkhs]

Originally Posted by Kristi26 So I think I'm going to send in a letter anyway. Even though the guy said I was stuck. What do you think of this: "I received a jury duty notice in the mail today, July 18, 2012. I cannot serve on a jury at this point in time. It would cause undue hardship. I am a stay-at-home mother to four children, ages 12, 9, 6, and 3. I am their caregiver during the day and there is no one else to watch them for any sort of prolonged period of time. I am respectfully asking that you excuse me from jury duty in September. Thank you."

Sounds good to me.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using DS Forum

[2queens&1princenmyhouse]

Originally Posted by Kristi26 So I think I'm going to send in a letter anyway. Even though the guy said I was stuck. What do you think of this: "I received a jury duty notice in the mail today, July 18, 2012. I cannot serve on a jury at this point in time. It would cause undue hardship. I am a stay-at-home mother to four children, ages 12, 9, 6, and 3. I am their caregiver during the day and there is no one else to watch them for any sort of prolonged period of time. I am respectfully asking that you excuse me from jury duty in September. Thank you."

Sounds good, but I would skip the in September part. You don't want to get a letter 6 months from now. You'd be in the same position.

I've received letters two or three times and on the back of ours is a form that has exclusions. Mine is always "I'm the owner of a business and absence from my business would cause it undue financial hardship," or something like that. I'm pretty sure there are exclusions for being the sole child care provider as well.