How hard is it to get out of Jury Duty

[Anonymous]

So Federal jury duty isn't based on where you live?

Western PWC is not 90 minutes from Alexandria (I grew in PWC, I know it forwards and backwards). Maybe in rush hour, sure, but not in normal driving conditions.

I have lived in Alexandria for over 5 years and haven't been called once.

What kind of job does your husband have that he doesn't get paid if he doesn't work?

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn't the $40 per day be enough if it is just the 2 hours after school for care? Federal court dismisses jurors at 5 pm unless in the middle of testimony.

[Anonymous]

Very easy. Just say that your father was a member of the KKK and/or SS.

[Anonymous]

I was summoned for Federal duty in Alexandria and have different but similar circumstances and wrote a detailed letter (submitted via fax, I think) with supporting attachments (e.g., proof of income and letter or other documentation from employer about not getting paid or other work restrictions) and hours of childcare responsibility. I got a deferral, but keep the documentation because I think you stay on the list 2 years and can get called again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Breastfeeding? Then it's easy to get out of.

Nope, that doesn't work. I was in the same position minus the 1.5 hour commute and they did NOT excuse me because I had a baby. In fact they were pretty rude about it. Not sure why I can take FMLA to be with my child and be excused from work, but not jury duty.

What DID excuse me was the fact that crime in my neighborhood has gone up 40%. And I am UPSET about it. I'd mention that if you want to get out of jury duty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't the $40 per day be enough if it is just the 2 hours after school for care? Federal court dismisses jurors at 5 pm unless in the middle of testimony.

That's enough for one kid, but not two at our school.

[Anonymous]

Having to pay for childcare or losing a day's pay is a hardship. I Thought it was the law that employers had to give you time for jury duty?

[Anonymous]

/\ if I had to pay for childcare for several days or weeks, it would put us in financial diar straights. If my husband lost a week's pay from his job, that would also be a real financial hardship for us

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having to pay for childcare or losing a day's pay is a hardship. I Thought it was the law that employers had to give you time for jury duty?

They do have to give you time off, but very few state require employers to pay you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unlikely, otherwise every SAHM would get out of it.
Cant your DH take leave? Or you trade hours with a neighbor or friend?

No, If he doesn't work, he doesn't get paid. I have to drive my 2 kids to school and pick them up, no buses. Not trying to get out of civic duty, it will be a financial hardship. We're not high HHI people.

I thought PW had school buses - is that not true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very easy. Just say that your father was a member of the KKK and/or SS.

I was told to bring a very controversial book. Mine is is mid-April.

I also heard that people claim to have "never received the letter." So they just don't show up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't the $40 per day be enough if it is just the 2 hours after school for care? Federal court dismisses jurors at 5 pm unless in the middle of testimony.

That's enough for one kid, but not two at our school.

In what jurisdiction in the DMV, much less PWC, would aftercare for one kid for less than two hours cost $20/kid? In DCPS, drop in is about $15 per day or less. I don't buy this at all. A babysitter in PWC isn't going to cost you $20/hour for 2 kids.

[Anonymous]

Due to the distance involved as well as minor dependents to care for, I think you can expect to get out of it due to extreme hardship.

At least you can in CA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very easy. Just say that your father was a member of the KKK and/or SS.

I was told to bring a very controversial book. Mine is in mid-April.

I also heard that people claim to have "never received the letter." So they just don't show up.

I am sure the jurisdiction can find a way to prove when something was mailed and then you could get in more trouble.

I swear, some people don't have morals. I got called in Arlington and only had to go to the courthouse one day in a 2 week span. It wasn't a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unlikely, otherwise every SAHM would get out of it.
Cant your DH take leave? Or you trade hours with a neighbor or friend?

That's unfair. They do not pay enough to cover childcare expenses that are not usually incurred. If you work, you receive your usual salary. If you don't, you get ton thing if you aren't chosen and $30 per day if you are. That does not cover the cost of our school's drop in aftercare.

Only some people get their salary. People who are paid hourly generally do not.

This is not true. Not that I needed it (thankfully) but I got paid for the day I showed up in Arlington it was $20 or $30. I was not selected for the jury.

It looks like Federal is $40. While that is not enough to cover childcare for the day it is better than nothing.

That's not what PP was talking about. My employer, for example, will pay my regular salary if I got called to jury duty. My sister's employer, on the other hand, would not pay her salary and she would in essence be taking a vacation day or no pay to go to court. That's what they're talking about, not what jury pay is. Which is ridiculous.

I bolded the part I was commenting on which was specifically about the stipend.