Jury duty...

BabyRN2Be · Jul 6, 2005

I would be happy to serve if I'm not in school at the time. I've just never been called! Recently I've changed my name on my DL, changing my county of residence and I still haven't been called. I still have to change my voter registration info, though.

My only problem: I have a chronic pain situation and as it is I'm on medication and it may not be good if I have to sit for long periods of time. If ever called, I would explain this to the judge or court clerk. If they are cool with it, I am. Just haven't been called.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jul 6, 2005

I'm one of those people who LOVES jury duty. I love that I get called fairly frequently. I've been on two cases and I love it! I love the trials though (huge Law & Order fan). I would go to law school if I wasn't gonna be an NP.

live4today, RN · Jul 6, 2005

Yes, I did. We hadn't long been transferred to San Antonio, TX when I got a summons to report for jury duty. I reported as summoned, took the 'test' of questions to see if I would be a likely candidate for the upcoming trial, and I guess they didn't want me on the jury because there was a couple questions on the test asking if I could be nonbiased when sitting on the jury for a man who had killed a child...raped a child....molested a child.... :angryfire Now...just what do you think my IMMEDIATE response to those questions were? You are dead right! I was dismissed as a potential jury member...much to my liking. :rotfl:

baby&mommynurse · Jul 6, 2005

The last time I had to serve, I had to wait for hours in a room full of people until my group number was called. I was called, but wasn't picked for that trial, so I had to go back to wait again... called a second time, and the same thing happened. The third time, I was picked as an alternate juror. I sat through the trial which lasted a few days, but couldn't even be a part of the deliberation. This almost made it a waste of time for me. That was about 9 years ago... it took that long to get summoned again. At least this time, I could do what I need to do at home or at work and I don't feel like I've wasted my time just "waiting". I call in the night before to see if I have to go in. I agree with mtnmom. It is our civic duty to serve on a jury. Not everyone may like it and it may feel like an inconvenience, but it is something all citizens are required to do regardless of how much of a burden it may seem.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jul 6, 2005

Has anyone ever been selected for jury duty during nursing school? How did you handle it?
Pasha :)

Yeah they summoned me for the week of my final for fundamentals this past December! I called and told them that I just couldn't be available due to my exam and they told me that I was allowed ONE postponement. THere is no form or anything to fill out to get excused etc (at least here in my part of NYS)

She said, rather snidely "We'll see you June 13th"

WEll they did lol I got called in. School was over and I was interested in seeing the process. I sat around in a huge, un-airconditioned room for five hours until hearing the trial I was selected for had been changed to a bench trial.

Got my certificate of service, my complementary pen, and fulfilled my duty for the next 6 years! :)

student4ever · Jul 6, 2005

I got called 2 years ago, exactly one month after I registered to vote - go figure! But since I was a full time student, sent back the form stating that I had classes and was a full time student. They replied saying I would be called that summer since I wouldn't be in classes, which was okay with me, but they never sent me any more notices, and 2 years later, I still haven't served jury duty or gotten any notices of contempt or of being called. So, I guess it varies by state, but if you are a student, it shouldn't matter - especially for nursing b/c you are preparing to do a very important civic duty! Good luck, I'm sure it will work out.

mediatix8 · Jul 7, 2005

I got out of jury duty while I was just taking my prerequisite courses to get in nursing school. You don't have to go on and on about how a missed clinical or class would be detrimental to your education... the fact that you have any class that day is good enough. I called them the first time they sent me one and said I had class that day, and that was it. The next time they did that to me, I called again, and that time they wanted a copy of my school schedule to prove I had class that day. That was it. Having to work isn't considered an excuse, but having class is.

RNmaria · Aug 6, 2005

I jsut received a letter in response to my letter stating that I could not participate in jury duty because of school. They excused me from service due to compelling hardship.

:biggringi YES!

Thank you everyone for your input and support!

Pasha :wink2: