Summoned for Jury Service
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
United States
January 31, 2008 6:21am CST
I got a summons to appear in court as a juror, but it is really going to be a challenge. I work nights, from 9:30pm until 6:30am.
The paper says I should expect to be in court from 8am until 5pm. That means that I won't have any sleep for 24 hours, and I will be very tired during my jury thing.
They give a list of reasons you can be excused from jury service, I'm not sure any of those reason match mine. But how can they really expect me to do this for 9 hours on no sleep?
If I can not get excused from jury service, I am at least going to try and get a 90 day postponement. Maybe after 90 days I'll be at a new job where I'm not working nights.
Any comments for me please?
6 people like this
12 responses
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
31 Jan 08
I guess I can PRETEND to be willing lol. But I don't understand anything about serving as a juror. I don't know what to do when I get to the building, how to find where I am suppose to be...who I should be talking to etc. I just hope my parents can help me out with it.
2 people like this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
1 Feb 08
That'd be good. I may be brunette on the outside, but I am a complete blonde inside! lol. I am clueless in a lot of situations, and this would probably be one of them =P I get so embarrassed sometimes when I am so clueless about these things.
1 person likes this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
1 Feb 08
Wow. You would be up for a long time. I recently got a letter in the mail also and it said that I could be a possible jury member too and they said they would contact me if so.
I do not want to serve as a juror at all.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
1 Feb 08
Same here. Thank you. I really do not want to go and sit and judge someone. I know they pay but it just isn't something I would like doing either.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
1 Feb 08
Yeah, I don't do good when I don't get sleep. I feel sorry for you hehe! the only good thing about this is they pay you for it, but I still don't want to go...whaaaaaa lol. =P
2 people like this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
1 Feb 08
I just can't do that all day, under my working conditions. Plus, I have such a guilty conscience, and if I got some big case--I would feel bad about giving a guilty verdict. I'm not saying I wouldn't do it, but afterwards I would always worry and wonder; was I right?
2 people like this
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
4 Feb 08
What a responsibility! Being a jury means one could really affect not just one life but a lot of lives with a not guilty or guilty verdict. I also think it is really extreme to postpone it for the reason that you have given. Isn't it the case that justice delayed means justice denied? There must be some way to make it work somehow. I hope you will find it. Worst is that you really have to have yourself excused somehow. all the best!
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
4 Feb 08
Yeah I don't want the responsibilty of chaging anyones lives with any verdict. I don't think I'm going to get out of it, but I did get it postponed, and I just have to hope that I get that new job during the day in March
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
3 Feb 08
I'm sorry to hear that you can't get out of it. I've been summoned twice so far (my husband's been summoned once or twice as well), but we live outside of the county that summoned us, so we used that to get out of it. As it is, our oldest is special needs so I watch him 24/7. There is no way for me to go to jury duty, even if I wanted to (which I don't). My husband is the one who "brings home the bacon" so to speak and works during the hours he'd have to be in court, so there is no way he can go either. It's just as well, as we wouldn't want to help decide someones fate that is hanging on the line, especially when the person could very well be innocent.
1 person likes this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
4 Feb 08
Well you defeniatly have two good reasons for getting out of the service. I don't want to be responsible for deciding someone elses fate either! I have a big problem with that.
2 people like this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
1 Feb 08
I did serve on jury duty and I couldn't get out of it...I was at the time the sole provider for a family. Then I got called again when my father was dying. I did get off then but during the whole time we were taking care of him as he lay dying they sent me a notice every monday that I was picked....and then I would have to make a long distance called to let them know I was not available. At the time of the first experience I was working two jobs and believe it or not they let me take a nap while they picked the jury! LOL Good luck!
1 person likes this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Feb 08
How long ago was that? Because now, on the paper they sent me they had a new list of reasons to get out of service. Your reason the first time would defeniatly be an excuse!!! That is really unfair what they did to you, both times!
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Feb 08
Around the same time you were sent a notice about jury duty, so was my husband's brother. He only had to call in every day. On the first day, they told him he was done because the case was plea bargained. So he was done right away. I never get that lucky, but I haven't sat for a case yet. Came close, but got a really bad case of the flu. But the rest of the time, never came close. Take care
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
4 Feb 08
Yeah he is lucky! lol. I wish that happened with my case. But no such luck =P I did get my original court date changed to 90 days after that! So I have more time before having to go to the stupid court! lol
1 person likes this
@keepermykitty (2573)
• Canada
8 Feb 08
How did you make out was it postponed is it all over now or what ...
I can`t think of any reasons to be excused Ieither I know I was summoned once and I just didn`t go and noothin happened they didn`t even come looking for me so I really don`t know ...
Sorry
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
11 Feb 08
Your workplace has to let you off work for jury duty. It's not a choice. You will be paid for jury duty but the amount is very minimal. You may not be paid from your workplace as it depends on several variables.
Sorry I am late in responding but am very behind on discussions. Can't seem to get caught up.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
9 Feb 08
I guess it's different in each county. We have to check online or call a hotline each morning and they'll let us know if we have to show up. I checked it for a week and never got called in. At the end of 7 days they told me my jury duty was fullfilled and I wouldn't be called for at least a year.
In your case I'm thinking you might want to call them about your hours at work. I'm sure they don't want jurors who need sleep.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
1 Feb 08
It might mean that you may not be chosen for jury duty, but for your problem, can you not switch with someone else? Also if it is a horrible murder trial, the jury may be quarantined. I cannot help you, the only thing is if your job is necessary to preserve life or is something of mercy. So if you are a nurse, then you might be escused. I do not think that no getting enough sleep because you work at a diner or a salesperson or in a restaurant or clean buildings would be an excuse.
1 person likes this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
1 Feb 08
No I'm not a nurse. I take care of the animals at a PetsHotel at night, because they can not be left alone.
@_@ What does it mean a jury will be quarantined?? I won't be able to go home until the case is done? That defeniatly wouldn't be good.
Do you mean can I switch the jury session with someone else in my family? Is that allowed??? Oo...maybe I'll beg my mom! lol
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
1 Feb 08
is there no one that you can call and ask about this? i was recently called for jury duty and i dont remember seeing 'lack of sleep' being on the list as to reasons why you couldnt perform...
call you state or local government and see what they have to say.
1 person likes this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
1 Feb 08
I can't call, but I can write a letter. My older sister said they may excuse me, or not. I just need to quickly write them a letter explaining my situation. If they can't excuse me I'm going to at least ask for a postponement.
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
1 Feb 08
That alone should be sufficient enough to get you that postponement. They need well and coherent individuals to perform adequately in jury deliberations. How can they expect you to do so on no sleep. Sleep deprivation can do crazy things to a person. I would take a copy of my work schedule to the court house and talk to a baliff. I have never been called for jury duty so I really don't know, but it doesn't seem like the smartest thing to do to have a sleep-deprived individual deliberating on what could be a person's entire life.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
1 Feb 08
I hope so! lol. My mom didn't think that it would not be a good reason for them to excuse me. But I'm thinking the same thing you are!
I mean, when I'm tired at work--I'll doze off in front of the other person I'm working with. I'll drop the book I'm reading, I'll fall gently against the wall, I'll almost fall out off of the stool I'm sitting on...whatever! lol. My point is, that won't be any different than me dozing off in the jury box! lol. And that would just embarass me, and probably get me in trouble! lol.
1 person likes this
