WOW my first vent!!!! enjoy (little long I guess)

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jan 5, 2006

Ahhh I see what you mean. That stinks then..........best wishes to you and glad you vented.

AbsolutRN · Jan 5, 2006

To Jesse and other nurses who get served a subpoena...look who issued the subpoena, in many cases the defense attorney. Usually the attorney (who nurses love to hate on even though many of them serve the public just like us) just wants some info. from you. Give her a call, explain your situation, find out how she proposes to use your testimony. Many times, the attorney will learn that you can't really help her case and will excuse you from court. If the attorney issued the subpeona, she can excuse you. Good luck!

suzy253, RN · Jan 5, 2006

Kent, feel free to vent away. That's what we're here for.

Roseyposey · Jan 5, 2006

Ugh, I feel for you. I used to be a records manager in a law enforcement agency. One of the Da's thought I was at her beck and call. She'd subpoena me over just to say the person on trial was the correct person or to certify a document (that was already certified). Once, she told me she'd call after voir dire (which can be drug out for hours) and was irate that I dared go to lunch when the jury was selected and she was ready for me! Good luck, I hope you can get out of this.

Nurse-To-Be-Joy · Jan 5, 2006

Oh, wow. That's awful. Hopefully, you can get out of this or it will be dropped before you have to go. Good luck.

rehab nurse · Jan 5, 2006

i don't know about the legal part, but you got some good advice already it seems. but i see where you are concerned you may have to miss school or clinical days. just fyi, when i was in nursing school i missed two clinical days for personal reasons, but i went to teacher and to dean of nursing and got permission to not be there, and i ended up having to make up one dlinical day at the end of the semester. it cost me i think around 100 dollars or so for the one day. but several people had to do it and we all were at the same hospital. i actually missed some OR observation days, but i made up the time on the ortho unit.

if you explain your situation to the school, i don't think it should be a problem. if it's only one day you miss you may not even have to make it up. all depends on your school. so if you can't get out of the court duty, let your school know right away so you can work something out.

hope that helped. and good luck with school!:)

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 6, 2006

Look at the paper work, in most states you are not required by law to attend if you have been summonds by the defense attorney. In most states you are held in contempt ONLY IF you are served by the PA or DA (or whatever it is called).

Chances are you will never go to court. I've been served my fair share (worked in Law Enforcement for 8 years) and never actually had to court but maybe 2 or 3 times. 99.9% of the time, they pled out. The reason for the delay is probably for a plea agreement or something similar.

Anyway, check out the paperwork and see who served you. Go from there. If it was the defense attorney, call the court and see if you are required by law to attend the hearing and then go from there.

Good luck!!!

WSU_Ally_RN, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2006

I'm going to assume you are a student still.... we have learned in our ethics and policy classes that they really don't like to take student nurses into the courtroom... we know too much and don't know when not to say things is what my professor's said. Does the court, or whoever issued the subopena to you, know that you are a student? I would talk with a professor of yours and see what they say, and then contact the person who issued it and make sure they realize you are a student still. Good Luck with everything!

labman · Jan 6, 2006

thanks all for the replys. First of all I was working as a phlebotomist when this happened so I have no student nurse responsibility. I already checked into me not going I already told the court person that called an issued the subponea. She said the defense attorney was a real stiffler and wants me there. I told her my situation and told her I had class and she told me the lawyer really wants me there. Another thing is the reason the case got moved to april and may is because they couldn't get a hold of a witness. So I am hoping in that time there will be a plee bargan. So I don't think there is any wiggle room for me!

Thanks everyone for your replys. Legal alchols used to never be a big deal to be because I never knew they would go to court or never even had a case but I guessed I guessed wrong.

Well all students enjoy your break. Thanks for your replys and thanks for letting me vent I feel a lot better.

KENT

Lori0823 · Jan 6, 2006

I got sn order for jury duty snd it stated on my form if I have children under 6or I am a full time student I am exempt. I caled the number and told the lady my name and that I have children under 6 and I am a full time mother and I was released from being there. That is in florida but it was for jury duty. May want to call ansd explain to them...

mschelee, MSN, RN · Jan 6, 2006

They probably are going to try to claim that the specimine was contaminated or something, since the blood alcohol test was probably above legal limits. If you dont go to court, they could use that and what if they won? The the guy might get off, still be able to drive and next time kill someone. I know its a hassle, but my opniion is that you should go, carefully answer only their questions. If he was drunk, he needs his DUI.

only My opniion