Jury Duty

[lpn954]

Hello all ,

I just got summoned for jury duty. As a home health nurse I'm an independent contractor, and serving jury duty would be a financial hardship for me as if I don't work, I don't get paid. I was wondering if other home health nurses out there were able to get out of jury duty for this reason? If so how? I was going to try mailing back my summons with that reason listed.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I just finished my term last week, and my state didn't allow that as an acceptable excuse. In fact, we can be stuck with a contempt of court charge if we don't show up. The need to work isn't unique to nursing, and even for those with PTO, it's unlikely they have a whole month's worth stored up. I look at it as a responsibility that comes with living in a country that affords us the rights and freedoms the US does. One of those rights being the right to a trial by jury.

[MunoRN, RN]

Jury Duty is not an unexpected financial obligation so it should have been included in your potential expenses as a self-employed worker.

[Extra Pickles]

Jury Duty is not an unexpected financial obligation so it should have been included in your potential expenses as a self-employed worker.

does anyone really do that? earmark a savings plan in case they get called for jury duty some time in the next few years? I know you should save what you can for a rainy day as the saying goes, but I never heard of anyone saving up for jury duty!

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Financial hardship is an acceptable reason to be excused from jury duty where I am, you have to go before the judge and ask to be excused before the jury selection begins. An accused doesn't benefit from a juror who is disgruntled about doing jury duty.

[bloatedputti, MSN, RN]

I'll say something really un PC. Let all of the unemployed, those loving it, getting paid to do so, and retired people do it. Yes, the system doesn't give a darn about working people or those with kids. Come wait all day in a room, only to be cancelled! Come to the courthouse not in your town, but an hour away!......

I can't..

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

I used to get called for jury duty all. the. time. Never had to serve on a jury, though.

Then came the time I was called in for a deposition at work. I casually mentioned it to the jury person next time I was supposed to go-haven't been called in over 10 years lol.

[lindseylpn]

I was called last year for jury duty and the judge asked us individually if there would be any conflicts with our schedules. I told him that I wouldn't have another nurse to cover my shifts and he excused me on my work days. He also completely excused a Doctor and a truck driver. I never got called in for a case.

[Get2theChoppa]

Maybe this differs by state, but you can refuse to take the Juror's oath, citing the belief that not all citizens of this county can be assured of fair treatment by law enforcement and the judicial system.

I have witnessed potential jurors citing instances where family members/friends were unlawfully arrested and jailed. Therefore, they no longer believe the justice system works. The judge excused these potential jurors from the case.

None of the above is necessarily what I believe personally, but I thought I would share what I've witnessed in the past.

[nurseactivist]

Where I am in California, financial hardship technically does not matter. However, I have seen judges ask small business owners if they are the only employee or how many employees they have. I think they try to be sensitive to finances although technically not allowed.

I had never been summoned until I was employed by the county. The court knows that I am paid for serving jury duty and the result was that I have now served on 2 different juries. I wasn't jumping up and down to do it, but it is more fair than someone else losing pay.

I have since retired and received 2 different summons because voter registration and DMV name were spelled differently. I got completely confused and ended up missing both summons. I have now received a letter informing me it is a "punishable." I am ignoring it. I am retired and I feel like I have done my damn civic duty. I may revisit this later.

They also have changed the rules so you if you aren't chosen, they can't keep calling you back day after day. You go in and if they don't find you a case, you are done.

Child care and elder care is a "get out of jail free card."

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Since a huge part of my income cones from per diem job if I can't work then I will not make enough money to meet my financial responsibilities. So I have claimed financial hardship and explained it and they let me off.I did not even have to go in.I also added that I help my elderly parents with anything they need and if I am needed I would not be able to help them. I live in Ca.

[Julius Seizure]

I have now received a letter informing me it is a "punishable." I am ignoring it. I am retired and I feel like I have done my damn civic duty. I may revisit this later.

Somehow this seems like a bad idea?

[SarahMaria, MSN, RN]

I'll say something really un PC. Let all of the unemployed, those loving it, getting paid to do so, and retired people do it. Yes, the system doesn't give a darn about working people or those with kids. Come wait all day in a room, only to be cancelled! Come to the courthouse not in your town, but an hour away!......

I can't..

Seriously??