Summoned for Jury Duty - New SAHM

[Anonymous]

When my child was an infant, I called & they gave me a one year extension. But they were clear they didn’t have to give me that. I ended up having family that could watch my son the following year. VA excuses caregivers of kids under 5. DC is not so nice. In your situation, if they don’t excuse you, & you can’t find a friend to watch them, show up with your kids.

[Anonymous]

I always get out of jury duty b/c I stay home with the kids. Its easy.

[Anonymous]

DC has a child care center in the superior courthouse. I don't think "my child will be traumatized by staying with the court's staff" is going to go over well. You can ask, but you may have to go in. If you don't want the court child care, you'd need to find someone else to watch your kids. I have a feeling you'll be dismissed though--both sides want jurors who are not distracted or grumpy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I quit my job to be a full-time mom and on my last day of work I received my summons for jury duty in DC. I happily served on a jury five years ago when I was pregnant, but this time I’m really upset about it. What do other stay at home moms do when they get called for jury duty, especially when the spouse has no flexibility at work (literally the reason I quit work)? I have a one year-old and four year-old. Four year-old needs to get to and from school each day. With my luck, I’m certain to get stuck on a month’s long trial.

Do I ask my nanny to come back and possibly shell out thousands of dollars? Fly in elderly parents to try to help? See if my husband can take vacation? Any ideas are appreciated!

I’m sorry, OP. I don’t have an answer to your question but I do empathize with you.

[Anonymous]

I was called in DC when I was a SAHP with a nursing 9 mon old and a three yr old. I called once to explain I was the primary caregiver and was told I had to come in and to bring the kids. Ok. I called the next day and got a different person on the phone who must have put me on some list because I wasn’t called again for about ten years. Of course, when I was called again, it was for grand jury and I served a total of eight weeks.

[Anonymous]

See if you can recall the nanny - or one of nanny’s friends - for the duration. It won’t last long.

[Anonymous]

Do you really have no babysitter you could ask? What would you do if you needed to go to a medical appointment? If you explain during voir dire that you are the primary childcare provider they should excuse you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did a combo of all the options you listed. Everyone's got some reason they "cant" do jury duty. It inconveniences all of us. We all just suck it up and deal.

this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you really have no babysitter you could ask? What would you do if you needed to go to a medical appointment? If you explain during voir dire that you are the primary childcare provider they should excuse you.

You get $50 for jury duty. It costs much more for a babysitter. It's not a fair ask of SAMP.

[Anonymous]

In DC, just because you get called in doesn't mean you will actually be put on a jury. Sometimes the prosecutor and defense attorney are negotiating a plea, sometimes they get too many people, sometimes they'll see your background and decide they just don't want you for whatever reason. Better to go and get it over with. DC also sees many, many drug cases, which can be decided quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you really have no babysitter you could ask? What would you do if you needed to go to a medical appointment? If you explain during voir dire that you are the primary childcare provider they should excuse you.

You get $50 for jury duty. It costs much more for a babysitter. It's not a fair ask of SAMP.

Yes, we can have our nanny come for $26/hour and $39/hour for overtime...plus employer taxes. That's $325+ per day if I'm there 8 am - 5 pm plus commuting time, not to mention paying for parking/Uber because I don't feel safe walking to/riding the metro in the morning anymore. I checked, and they do have onsite provided childcare for children 2.5 and up who are potty trained, but we wouldn't be qualified for that. I also don't have anyone to drive my son to school and pick him up, though I could probably burden another parent to help in a pinch.

I understand that jury service isn't convenient for anyone; I just didn't realize that it is extra difficult as a stay at home parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are the primary caregiver for children. You won’t even have to show up.

I requested to be excused and was denied… It even asked if I had a child who wasn’t potty trained, and I was still denied.

Then, I'd bring my kid.

I got excused. We had no child care, no family help and my husband started a new job/no leave.

Will they force her into some communal childcare situation there though? I don’t want her to be exposed to COVID or traumatized by having sub-par childcare with people she doesn’t know.

Traumatized? Really? FFS, OP.

[Anonymous]

If they say you have to show up bring the kid. They can't deny you the ability to have the child with you. If you even make it into the courtroom you'll be excused, no way to make that work.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately tons of people have really good excuses. If I do not work I will not get paid and my kids will not eat. i am a brain surgeon. People will die!, My baby needs me.

They can not excuse everyone that has kids or works.

Hopefully you will call the night before and they will tell you not to come.

[Anonymous]

Full time care of a child under 5 is (in VA) listed as a reason to not serve.