I have been summoned for Jury duty but there is no-one to look after my seven month old son as my husband is..

Question

at work full time. What do i do, can i be excused for this? Or will i still have to do it?

Answer 1

I got off my summons several times by writing back a note telling them to release me because I had children and needed to provide care for them. I could not leave them with anyone indefinitely.

When they grew up, one gave me trouble with his behavior and there was the court summoning me again. I wrote yet another note and told them that the situation persisted and I could just not do it. Then someone called me back the fourth time and I just told them I could not do it, I could not stretch my situation to go serve in a jury indefinitely because the care of my children and their issues demanded that I stayed available at home. They never contacted me again. That was about 3 or 4 yrs ago.

But I was getting those freaking summons about each year since the birth of my oldest child, until four years ago. Some people are dying to serve as jurors, others simply can't afford to be forced to. Good luck to you...

Answer 2

I would take your son with you and when you check in explain it to them.  What else can you do.  Maybe they will excuse you maybe they wont.

Answer 3

Whenever I get a summons there's a form on the back you can fill out to opt out.  You can always say that you have no one to look after your son on the back.  FYI, I never get called back after.  Good luck.

Answer 4

Serving on a jury is a civic duty but there are certain circumstances when you can be excused or deferred such as pre-booked holidays and work commitments. I think they will probably excuse you.

Answer 5

You could either write to the court and explain your circumstances or simply take your son along with you on jury day.  I'm sure they'll get the message.

Answer 6

Send in a request for an exemtion it will tell you how to do it on you jury summons.

Answer 7

Just write back and tell the court that your verdict will be 'Not Guilty' no matter what you hear in court.

Answer 8

Take your child with you ..its a natural thing to do

they will ask you to explain why he is there

they should send you home because of him.

Jury Duty is a paid occupation and a duty ..let them tell you you cant do it.

Answer 9

It tells you on the summons what to do if you cannot attend. You asked to be excused, and explain why.  The court is usually very understanding in circumstances such as yours.

Answer 10

Bring you son with you. Nobody will mind...

Answer 11

You can be excused, just reply to them or call them, there are exceptions to serving and you're one of them. Good luck.

Answer 12

Yea, usually they will exue you under certain circumstances. My mom got out of jury duty twice -- once when she was pregnant with me, and also later in a similar situation that you have right after I was born.

Answer 13

You could arrange professional child care and re claim the expenses. Ask your hubby to take the day off. Ask if you could be excused etc for a valid reason.

Answer 14

I'd suggest you explain that to the people who've summoned you. It's unlikely they'd  expect you to show for a trial when you need someone to look after your little one.

They will, after all, have no shortage of replacements in case of sickness or any other valid reason for unavailability. And I'd say a lack of childcare should be a valid reason. If they aren't willing to shift on that, tell them you need them to pay childcare costs in advance. That ought to get their attention. Most authorities don't like paying up in advance.