Jury Duty excused because of day care?

Question

I have a home day care, and have 5 children from 2 different families between 4 AM and 5 PM daily. I recieved a jury summons, if I am chosen I will have to be available for jury duty for 30 days, only finding out if I have been called the night before, after 5 PM. I have no one to take my place with the children, and so the two mothers would have to miss work to be with thier children without notice.

Is this a viable reason to ask to be excused? No, I am not shirking my duty, but this doesn't seem fair to the people I work for, and I would feel really bad about leaving them hanging, potentially getting in trouble with their employers, and losing pay.

Answer 1

It is absolutely ludicrous for a court system to believe that a juror is going to give their full attention to a court case while at the same time wondering how they are going to pay the bills.I have only been picked for jury duty once ,many years ago.I sat through the selection of several juries waiting to see if my name would be called..It was an  interesting process up to a point .My name was called ,had to face the accused and then I was picked to sit  for a trial.The day  the trial was to begin, the jury was asked to go to a side room and most if no all the panel were receiving pay from their employers for being there.They thought of this whole process as an adventure.Some even hoped it would last longer than a couple days.I believe I was the only person who was only going to receive the token amount given to jurors.Trust me it was not very much.When we were called back to the court room the accused had decided to plead guilty and so the jury panel was excused.The accused got to play the system and probably made a plea bargain as well.It was irritating to say the least. Your letter from the courts will tell you who is excluded from jury duty.Contact the court s and see if you can plead your case.You may still have to appear for jury duty.I think financial hardship should be a consideration.The stipend the court gives you is hardly enough to make you want anything but a speedy trial.I understand the jury system is important and that it is an important civic responsibility .I came away from my jury experience feeling the accused had more rights than me.

Answer 2

If you become a Fully Informed Juror you will NEVER be chosen for jury duty!

The government is terrified of citizens learning their rights and duties as jurists and once they know that you know the score they will avoid you at all costs lest you inform other potential jurors of the facts.

http://www.fija.org/

Answer 3

Tell the court about your situation so that you will be excused from jury duty.

Answer 4

It's up to the judge--but people who operate businesses on their own are often excused from jury duty based on hardship. It's certainly a legitimate reason to ask.

Answer 5

all you have to say is say that your mind is already made up or that you can't be impartial due to something in your past, etc.. you should be excused.  Example ) if it's a drunk driving case just tell them that you feel that any person who drinks alcohol is automatically guilty or wrong and that will do it...(I was on a case like that).

Answer 6

You can ask but I will tell you now that the chance of your being dismissed is slim and n one. I was an Electrical Contractor with contractual deadlines, a little two person business me and my son who did not have a journeyman's license. I stood to lose thousands of dollars but the judge said I had to be there and would not excuse me. My son and I worked our butts off at night to make deadlines. Judge did not care and raised h**l with me for being less than fully alert.

Answer 7

Read the form, and follow the instructions.

However, be advised, that many jury commissioners are havig hard times getting enough jurors because everybody has an excuse, some valid, and some, they just don;t want to go.

  Good luck, but have a back up plan,just in case./