I was called in for jury duty. What can I do?

Mutzie

There is phone number on your jury summons that goes to the court. You can call that number and claim extreme hardship, citing your current financial situation. You may have to prove what you say. It is then up to the court involved to issue you a free pass on your jury duty obligation. If they don't issue this, you will have to go.

Often, such a waiver for jury duty requires several weeks advance notice or it will not be considered. There should be instructions on the summons to ask for either an outright waiver or a postponement of serving.

Good luck.

TedEx

Sorry, but the last time I had jury duty, several people raised the same issue. The judge was not impressed. You see, the problem is, everybody wants to get out of jury duty, and the judges are running out of sympathy for those who do.

notadummyrat

Call the clerck and explain.

Jeffrey F

claiming financial hardship will most likely excuse you from jury duty.

davidmi711

You contact the jury coordinator at the number provided and explain the situation. They may have forms for you to fill out to claim a financial hardship.

Otherwise, you had better go because failure to show up is a crime.

butterfliesRfree

I'm saving this to my watchlist to see what kind of answers you get. I would definitely feel your pain -- I was laid off for 3 months and OMG -- we barely ate (nothing good anyway) and almost ended up on the streets. I'm sure there are some "hardship" rules that may help you out......

Outdoorsguy

Go and explain this to the judge. Be sure to take a bank statement and other proof.

Lillian

Tell them it will force a hardship on you financially. That's pretty chicken chit of your employer to not at least make up the difference.

ktrb

In most districts, you can get out of jury duty for authentic hardship. Get a letter from your employer stating that you won't get paid if you're on jury duty and take it to the clerk of court -- that should help.

u can have an excuse if sick or disabled

SPLNTR

take subversive reading materials" ie anarchist cookbook"
when they see that in court you will be dismissed.

You cannot plead extreme hardship because you are neither sick nor disabled and your income is substantially above the federal poverty guidelines. Also, if you go in there with drama about how you will lose your car and home, they will simply laugh at you. A failure to plan for emergencies on your part does not constitute an exemption on their part. Failure to report is a crime and will result in fines or even a jail term for contempt of court in some states. Take your pick, but I would show up if I were you. If you are really spending that much of your pay, sacrifice some luxuries for a while. Or sell your computer.

As for being "forced to live paycheck to paycheck," no one can make a fool of you without your permission.

claudiacake

Read your notice. It tells you the only acceptable exemptions. Sorry to tell you, but being among the overworked underpaid is not one of the excuses they accept. Can you use a vacation day, if your job provides vacation days? I'm sorry. I have been in your shoes.

Anne S

Read your summons. It will tell you what reasons your specific state allows for getting out of it, and what to do to request exemption.

Wrenched

Inform the court of the hardship serving would cause.

KRZY

Just tell them. There is a thing on the back that asks are there any reasons why you can't do it. Cite financial hardship. Or go in there and say you can't be impartial, then they'll have to let you go.

Bogdan

If you are called it is not nesesary to attend. While you are there they decide who has to stay.

Melody

when you go in they will tell you what type of case it is... rape, murder, etc. what ever it is just act like you would automatically assume the guy is guilty. if it is rape say that rape seriously affects you and the guy is probably guilty and nothing you see in court could change that. They will send you outta there so quick.

Dr. A

When they interview you (if they interview you), tell them you have worked in a prison. You will be the first one marked off their list!

Susan B

I am a diabetic. In Michigan I am supposed to go to the doctor and obtain a letter explaining my condition in order to be considered for exclusion. I just wrote to the judge and explained that I couldn't serve because of my health (somewhat in detail). I told him I do not have health insurance so if he wanted to pay for the doctor visit I would go. He excused me. My point is that you may be excused if you write a letter to the judge. My suggestion is to find out for sure the name of the person to whom you should direct the letter. If you personalize it and keep it short, you might obtain mercy. ;-)

brian_hubbard8

this works, go in and tell them you have a rash and you dont wanna give it to the other jurors. but keep scratching your arms while you do it and also put a little red makeup on your arms.

bmwguy1488

To bad to sad

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