Conference moira::parenting

    
    Tara - My husband was recently called and selected for jury duty.
    One thing he found here (in Mass.) was that the first thing they asked
    was if anyone had a problem with daycare/babysitting.  Alot of the
    women acknowledged that they did and where immediatly excused. You 
    may want to call and see if the same goes for you.  The court didn't
    expect these women to have taken care of their daycare issues so it
    may be the same for you.
    
    Just our experience.
    
    Rose Marie

    I was called for federal jury duty 2 years ago.  This is a minimum of 1
    month "term of service".   I don't remember the exact Digital policy, but
    since I am part-time,  Digital would only be paying me for a very small
    number of the days that I would be away for jury duty.   On top of
    that, my regular daycare person did not have opennings on the days that
    I normally didn't work, and she was not open late enough in the
    evenings to cover the commute from the courthouse.  I wrote a brief
    letter explaining the situation and mailed it in to the court clerk.
    A few days later I received a postcard that I was excused from duty.
    
    So, it may be worthwhile to write ahead and ask to be excused.
    /Deb

    I also believe there is a policy to reimburse a parent up to a certain
    amount ($30. comes to mind) for daycare per day, during jury duty. 
    Lots of places have emergency, drop in child care for such emergency
    purposes.
    
    On a lighter note, the last time I had jury duty, one woman was trying
    to get the reimbursement so "honey" wouldn't have to be left alone all
    day.  "HONEY" is a DOG!!  ya right, you can ask but.....
    
    Lyn

Hi Tara,

A few years ago I served on a Federal Jury. Childcare was a big issue (as I 
was also going to graduate school full time and it was finals). I was also doing
contract work at the time, so time  off the job was NO money into the house -
only the few $/hr the court system reimbursed me. Despite all the conflicts, I
was not excused. I managed to arrange for extra childcare (which was not 
reimbursed). 

However, before the trial, the jury met with the judge
to discuss issues. I indicated that I needed to be out by 4:30 every day
to pick up my daughter. When he fussed, I indicated that I had already done
alot of juggling and paying for extra care to be there. 

So, the trial ended at 4:30 every day...

    When I went to Jury duty a few years ago (In Mass), some women showed
    up with their children.  They stated that they had no-one to take care
    of the children, so they brought them.  
    
    The people were immediatley checked off as showing up, and were then
    sent home, stating they had done thier service. ....In Mass if you show
    up (weather you serve or not) you don't have to do Jury Duty for 3 more
    years .....  
    
    Also, they had mentioned that if you had to put your children into
    daycare, that they would remiburse you for a certain amount...
    
    Anne Marie
    

    I suppose that the "exceptions rules" for getting out of jury duty must
   be determined by the individual states.  I was summons for Dallas County
   Jury duty about 2 months ago.  On the summons card they had a list of
   "disqualifications" and "exceptions" and if any of them applied to you
   you could fill the card out noting your excuse and send it back without 
   appearing in court.  One of the excuses was if you were the primary
   caregiver of children under the age of 10 and childcare would have to
   be arranged for you to serve then you were excused.  Since I am not the
   primary caregiver of my children during the day when I'm working this did
   not apply to me.  Also if you were a student then you were excused.

    Any other excuse other than those outlined by the court were not accepted
   to get out of jury duty.  However, you could reschedule if necessary.
   
  -Lisa

>    I suppose that the "exceptions rules" for getting out of jury duty must
>   be determined by the individual states.

Excellent point.  Also remember that serving on a FEDERAL jury is different 
than serving on a STATE jury.

Clay

    
    I just went to jury duty yesterday.  I work Monday, Wednesday and
    Fridays, so I had to arrange alternate care for Tuesday.  I got on
    a trial that was to last approximately 1 week.  I asked the judge to
    be excused since I would need to arrange alterate care for the extra
    days I normally would not work...also that if I could find someone for
    those days it would be a financial hardship to pay for the extra days.
    He excused me - but he thought for quite a while.  I think if it wasn't
    for the fact that the trail might even last longer, I still would have
    had to serve.
    
    Sue