Jury Duty and Nursing School

brillohead, ADN, RN · Aug 1, 2012

I think the courts are generally more lenient in people who want to get a "deferment" rather than a "full excuse".

If you say, "I can't do jury duty at all because " then the court is likely to say, "It's your civic duty, buck up and serve!". But if you say, "I'm in nursing school and don't have an option to make up missed days, but I'll be able to serve or anytime after " then the court can see the difference between an unwillingness to serve and an inability to serve.

bear14 · Aug 1, 2012

I like the I'm so special reason. I wonder if that would work???

brillohead, ADN, RN · Aug 1, 2012

I like the I'm so special reason. I wonder if that would work???

My coworker was the youngest of three girls.... when she was growing up, "You just think you're pretty!" was a common retort in her house! LOL

Nolli · Aug 1, 2012

I like the I'm so special reason. I wonder if that would work???

Lol they might say that you're so special and you should get extra duty.

I was summoned as well 2 quarters ago. Since I am living in a different state to go to school they ruled me ineligible to serve since I was not living at home when summoned. I don't know how that works since I still have primary residency and file taxes there, but they made the call and I'm not going to complain about being excused. I told them I was willing to do jury duty when I graduated (we don't get summers off at all), but that it currently would cause me to miss classes and that I would also have to come home to serve. I'd say give them an alternative date and explain your situation and they should understand and may even cut you more slack than you even expected. Just don't ignore it.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2012

i live in a college town. by law, the students of legal age who live in the dorms are subject to being called for jury duty even if they are not registered voters or even if they have legal residence in another town or state.

abiklags · Aug 1, 2012

I was called for grand jury duty for about 6 weeks, 2 days a week. I went upstairs to my schools admin, found out who to talk to (the deans secretary). I gave her the notice and she took care of the rest. the only thing I needed to do was fill out a form online that I wanted it postponed. I got a letter in the mail saying I was excused. Was no big problem for me (I live in NJ)

bear14 · Aug 1, 2012

I talked to someone at the jury office who said a letter from the school and a copy of my schedule should suffice. Here's hoping. I told them I was really special but they wanted the letter anyway. :lol2: Thanks again for all of your help!!! Hope everyone is having a great summer.

fctxs · Aug 1, 2012

yeah contact the people on the jury summons and tell them you think the suspect is guilty and they will drop you from the jury pool!!!

SBJustBreathe, ASN, RN · Aug 1, 2012

I always tell them I don't have Childcare for my kids.

msBSN14 · Aug 1, 2012

I wish the judge in my state would have excused me! I just finished serving on a grand jury for the last two years!!! I mentioned that I had just got accepted to nursing school and he replied, "this should not affect you at all" so I cried my eyes out!! The days I had class guess what I did not show up!! And they did not mind. But thank God it is over so hopefully i will not get another summons for 10yrs!

chorkle · Aug 2, 2012

And for another example, from a different field, a friend who was a self-employed tax preparer was called for jury duty, for March 1st. At this time of the year, she is already working not less than 90 hours a week. She wrote a polite letter, explaining how much loss of income, and permanent loss of clients, jury duty would cost her, offering to serve in summer, and was excused.

When she received a summer summons, she went--and was dismissed, on peremptory challenge by the prosecuting attorney, b/c she objected to the prospect of a 3-week long jury trial, without being allowed to take any notes at all. "Ms. Jones, is there something wrong with your memory?' 'No, sir, but . . ' 'Excused!'

This is your civic duty, right? Do you know why that is? Do you know what jury duty pay is? If you work for an employer who pays you your normal salary while you're at the courthouse, that's one thing. If you're self-employed, it only means you will spend 8 or 10 hours in your office, after having been at the courthouse all day.

cally527, RN · Aug 2, 2012

I know this question has been asked before but the only dates I see for this question is 2006 and 2003 and I dont know if things have changed since then. So here goes, if you get called for jury duty while in nursing school how do you get out of it since its hard to make up classes and clinicals? Can the school drop you and make you wait to get back into the program? I know they can with medical issues but what about civic issues? I was told to talk to the chair of the program and I left her a message but if anyone else has any other input it would be great. Thanks!

I am not sure if every state is the same, but I live in MA and when we get our original Jury Duty Summons, there is an option to change the date. You can push it off up to 1 year. So if that is an option for you, then figure out when you will be on break from school and schedule your Jury Duty then. Also, I always schedule mine for a Friday (the only time I did not I had to show up and sit there for hours until the judge dismissed us all) and the night before when I call to see if I am still required to go I am always cancelled.