I got my first jury summons, but if I'm picked, my business will suffer. Excusal for sole proprietor?

Question

I'm a one woman show- have my own business installing high end tile. I'm booked through January, and if I do jury duty, the contractors will drop me and find someone else. My reputation will suffer, and I have a lot of homeowners depending on me... construction is a slave to deadlines. Is there any way out? I don't mind serving, but not right now. Can jury duty be deferred?

Answer 1

aww you are gong to get dropped for one day that you can warn of months in advance? If you are so high-end, can't you set some of your terms? Like work evenings or weekends to make it up?

Answer 2

If you are in good with your doctor, he can give you an excuse for not serving. Something like a bad back where you have to sit every two hours with your feet up and/or lay down when it has spasms.

Answer 3

The good news is you can get a deferral. It happens around here all the time, especially when college students are chosen. Usually just saying that you are knee deep in your education will get you pushed back to Spring Break/the holidays/Summer.

Call or visit the Clerk of Court. Be sure to emphasize that you are more than happy to serve, but right now is not a good time for you.

Here in South Carolina, you usually get a letter telling you you've been chosen to report during a certain week, and later the Clerk of Court sends you a form to fill out. The form asks if there is any reason that you can't serve. (Served past 3 years? Felon? Work or Educational Obligations?) In some instances the Clerk of Court can reschedule you, in others you still have to show up on the first day and discuss it with the judge.

I know contracting is a cut-throat job, so good luck in getting this sorted out!

Answer 4

A few years ago I got a jury summons.  I was also a sole proprietor of a small business.  During the initial selection process, after filling out a questionnaire, I was asked at length about showing up.  I made it clear that I would make the time, assign others to handle things in my absence, and still they asked if I was sure I wanted to serve.  It was my duty and I said so.  Eventually I was struck from the pool because of my environmental views.  A summons does not mean you will serve.  

If timing isn't right then say so.  You can be put back into the pool at a later date.  Also, it's one thing for others to depend on you.  It's something else for those others to besmirch your reputation for jury duty.  Shame on them.  Jury duty is an extremely important action.  It is the final word on just and unjust laws.  It is the unsung 4th Branch in the system of Checks and Balances, of Separation of Powers.  Please don't discount it lightly.

Answer 5

I have a hypothetical situation for you.

The police come to your place of business and arrest you for a crime you didn't commit.You weren't read your rights and you're not allowed to make a phone call. You're not allowed to see your accuser or hear any testimony whatsoever when brought into court because no one ever showed up for jury duty.

Did you know that at one time in America,the judge had the authority to send you to prison just for LOOKING guilty?

It amazes me how much people see voting AND jury duty as such  an interferance of their day . Money was here on this Earth before any of us were born and it's going to be here after we're gone. If you're a reputable business owner,your clients will understand. As far as voting and jury duty are concerned;

If you don't use it,you WILL lose it.

Answer 6

Look at your summons - most will give you the option for postponement - and you get to set a good time.  Pick a "slow" time for your business - but send it in right away so they get it in time.  Students do it all the time, but a sole proprietor does not get you an automatic out.  You probably won't be able to postpone the 2nd time around, though so pick as wisely as possible.

Answer 7

Just request to be relieved of duty, it is just a standardized form and although each jurisdiction varies in leniency since this has to do with your livlihood, you have a chance. you dont have anything to lose (except work hours! good luck! :)