Jury Duty vs Duty to Hospital

Atheos · Jun 28, 2008

Here in VA I have seen it rejected. The judge said the facility had no hardship getting another nurse since they could utilize an agency. He also said that duty to country trumped duty to self.

There would be no harm in trying. They can only tell you no.

suanna · Jun 28, 2008

Do your civic duty. Dodging jury duty is a bit flakey for a health care professional. Your leadership skills and judgment abilities may be crucial to a just handling of the case. It's a week or two- If you had a minor surgery you would be off 4-6 weeks. The hospital will get along without you but our justice system can't get along without the best and brightest(you) contributing thier fair share! I was pulled for jury duty for 2 weeks a couple of years ago. It was one of the worst experiences of my life but half a day into deliberations we we hung on 6 of the 7 counts. The foreman threw up her hands and offerd the job to whoever would take it. I DID. We convicted a rapist on 6 of 7 counts of raping a mentaly disabled girl. We found out afterward he had been charged with rape several times in the past-always against mentaly disabled girls who made poor witnesses. Previously the juries were unable to come to a concensus he was never convicted. If I hadn't done my civic duty he would have gotten away with it again.

Batman24 · Jun 28, 2008

Your manager is wrong to ask you to write that letter. This is your civic duty and you shouldn't be pressured not to fulfill your obligation to society. You can write them but chances are it will be denied anyway. They are really cracking down in my area on jurors. Very few excuses are considered valid these days.

Atheos · Jun 28, 2008

Medical necessity and financial hardship are excusable as are other things. I have been excused because I told the judge I needed lithium but had to go to the doctor that day. He let me out quickly. I have also answered a question concerning my dislike for gang members and stated 'They should all be thrown in jail.' When the lawyers question you expressing bias works, unless you do it too blatantly.

Slackerish? Maybe. 4 years of military duty trumps 2 weeks of jury duty though. MY duty is done. If you can be excused, and you want to be excused. Go for it.

Besides, that 1 or 2 days can turn into 1 or 2 months and all the people telling you to do your duty won't be volunteering to pay your bills.

I love my cat! · Jun 28, 2008

Slackerish? Maybe. 4 years of military duty trumps 2 weeks of jury duty though.

Really? Tell that to the poor, INNOCENT person sitting up on the stand being accused of some crime that could land them in prison for 20 years.

transkat · Jun 28, 2008

I want to serve on the jury I just don't want to face repercussions from my nurse manager for being absent from work.

allnurses Guide · Jun 28, 2008

Your manager is asking you to lie to the courts so she won't have to go to the trouble of covering your shifts. It isn't a financial difficulty since the hospital pays for your days. When I was called for Federal jury duty, we were told only active duty military, police and firemen were excused, specifically NOT health care workers including doctors and nurses, not to even bother asking. That lawyers complained that educated professionals got out too easily, and there wasn't enough selection for their jury choices.

It is part of citizenship, and frankly, if I were to ever end up in court, I'd want educated and professional people on my jury! As far as trying to get out of it during the questioning, you are under oath to tell the truth.

Good thinking on your part to tell her to write it, notice she didn't want HER name on the letter.

transkat · Jun 28, 2008

I want to serve on the jury I just don't want to face repercussions for being absent from work.

allnurses Guide · Jun 28, 2008

I want to serve on the jury I just don't want to face repercussions from my nurse manager for being absent from work.

Ah, that one. When I told the Court Clerk my boss was giving me a hard time, she said she'd have the judge write a letter for me, that harrasment or punative actions were illegal. Neither your manager nor your hospital really wants to be in trouble with the courts.

Your manager is just pushing so she won't have to work harder. Since you are fairly new, she'll see how far she can push you. If there are any problems, tell the clerk and also go up the chain over your manager's head. Your hospital obviously doesn't object to jury duty, since they pay you for it!

I've been called by the city, the county and the Feds... just my lucky numbers I guess.

Batman24 · Jun 28, 2008

I want to serve on the jury I just don't want to face repercussions for being absent from work.

If you face retribution upon your return to the unit you will call an attorney. Being called doesn't necessarily mean you will have to serve. I went last year around this time and was let go at noon same day because they didn't need us. Do your civic duty and go. Don't lie to the court. I'm sorry you are being pressured like this. It's not fair. If she continues report her to the courts. She can get in huge trouble for this. Let your HR and Legal Department know as well. She'll stop.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 28, 2008

i got called for jury duty years ago when i was working straight nights every friday, saturday and sunday. my manager told me that if i wanted to claim a hardship to the unit, she'd back me up. but if i wanted to serve that was fine, too. of course, since trials were monday-friday in the day time, there was no impediment to my working friday, saturday and sunday nights.

i showed up at the jury pool on monday morning, the same day they were looking for jurors for the mary kay letourneau trial. i imagine the snoring and drooling may have explained why i wasn't picked for a jury -- i was released after sitting in the jury room monday and tuesday. now i shudder to think what would have happened had i been chosen for a long trial . . .