tips for surviving (or getting out of!) jury duty?

[Anonymous]

I'm weeks pregnant, and I've been summoned for Jury Duty in DC. I deferred once already, so can't do that again. Any tips for surviving a long day in the Juror's Lounge ---- you're prohibited from eating/drinking in there, and bathroom breaks are minimal. Also, did you get picked to SERVE on a jury while pregnant? Fingers crossed they won't pick me --- I'm hoping the big belly will help.

[Anonymous]

You can probably get a note from your doctor saying that you have a medical reason that prevents you from serving jury duty.

[Anonymous]

I had jury duty in DC while pregnant. I did not get picked. I made a big deal about being pregnant- wore a dress that made me look more pregnant than I was, etc. Really was not all that bad- just a pain.

[Anonymous]

I've been on jury duty but not in DC (and not while pg). I'm not sure how far along you are, but it shouldn't be too bad. You might want to contact them and make them aware of your medical condition (pregnancy) and any special accomodations/things you need. Certainly, if it looks like you could get assigned to a trial, let them know your pg.

I had an older friend who got called for jury duty in Prince Georges county. She tried to get out of it with a medical note from her dr., but couldn't. (She wasn't pregnant - just a contant complainer.) But, she talked a lot with someone in charge before her jury duty day. When she got there, they had a reclining chair and nurse ready and waiting for her. I'm convinced she wasn't assigned a case because everyone saw how high maintenance she was.

[Anonymous]

you can eat/drink in the area right outside the juror's lounge. there's also wireless internet available. you can also take a break anytime before you're called into a jury pool -- you just tell the clerk's office that you need to leave the area (for bathroom or otherwise) and they put a "hold" on your name so that you won't get called into a pool while you're away. if you're called into a pool for voir dire (many many people are not) you are a little more limited in movement, but the judge provides frequent, frequent breaks during voir dire. it's really not that bad -- i didn't do it while pregnant, but i was a nursing mom when i served. i managed to pump every 2 or 3 hours for 20 mins each time without a problem while i served for 8 days. i bet you could find sufficient time to eat and pee.

[Anonymous]

I was 4 months pregnant when I was most recently called for jury duty in DC.

If you are looking to survive the 1 day you are called I would ....
make sure my ipod is fully charged
have good reading material
as soon as you can, make your way to the business lounge (Out main doors to jurror waiting room to the right)

If you do not want to serve, tell the judge when you are called that you are pregnant and need a lot of bathroom breaks.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you get the opportunity to talk to the judge -- at least I did -- and then you can make a case that it would be tough on you.

[Anonymous]

I guess I don't get what is so tough about jury duty. I worked full time, often long hours (12-15+ hour days), while pregnant. A day in the jury room, or even a few days if you get picked for a trial, would have been a walk in the park compared to that. The biggest problem I have with jury duty is that it is BORING. Why not get it over with so you don't have to worry about being called when you have an infant and are nursing? I agree with a PP that if the blaring TV in the jury room is too much for you, you should retreat to the business center with a good book.

[Anonymous]

I say...do your duty and serve. You're pregant, not dying!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I say...do your duty and serve. You're pregant, not dying!

How does this help OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I say...do your duty and serve. You're pregnant, not dying!

I agree! It's your civic duty!!

[Anonymous]

Not the PP, but maybe it helps by providing a different perspective. I'm actually disappointed that I'm almost 37yrs old and have never once been called for jury duty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not the PP, but maybe it helps by providing a different perspective. I'm actually disappointed that I'm almost 37yrs old and have never once been called for jury duty.

HA! Move to DC. You will be called and called and called. I have actually started keeping track because I am convinced they are shaving the time frame in which they are supposed to call me too close.

Don't get me wrong - I would LOVE to serve. I think it would be fascinating to serve and see the process. I have way too many lawyers in my immediate family, however, so I always get struck. Part of me wishes there was a little box you could check: I have been struck the last ten times, so I know you won't seat me. Please, let me stay at work and don't make me come over there.

I actually heard that on the last case where I was in the pool, one of the lawyers sent an e-mail during voir dire (via blackberry) to a colleague asking whether my colleague would put me on the jury. That's a little creepy, in my opinion, but a long way from the days that gave rise to Batson v. Alabama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have way too many lawyers in my immediate family, however, so I always get struck.

having lawyers in your immediate family likely had little to do with you getting struck. I'm a lawyer and recently served on a jury with 2 other lawyers and a paralegal in DC (with the number of lawyers in dc, how could there possibly be a jury w/o lawyers? seriously?). A lot of my lawyer friends have been called and serve as well.

[Anonymous]

I'm married to a lawyer and served. It was a criminal trial so it had nothing to do with what he does (complex financial litigation).

It was fascinating and those three days stay with me even now, eight years later. I would have had no problem doing it while pregnant except during the first trimester with my oldest, when I would have been throwing up during my time in the pool and voir dire and would certainly have been dismissed. I threw up a LOT.