Summoned for jury duty and I just gave birth, exclusively breastfeeding

[Celticqueen]

On the form, it states there are only 2 ways to excuse yourself from jury duty- you must be over the age of 70 or have a medical condition with a document signed by the doctor explaining why you don't have to attend.

It says NOTHING about breastfeeding. Why? He's only 2 flipping weeks old for crying out loud- and of course, exclusively breastfed.

So I'm going to call them tomorrow morning and explain my situation. What should I say? What if they say tough luck missy you're doing it anyway.

What are my rights???

-Caitrin

[mamajama]

That would count as a medical condition. You're 2weeks postpartum!

[weliveintheforest]

Originally Posted by mamajama

That would count as a medical condition. You're 2weeks postpartum!

yup. I'm sure you could get a note from your dr or mw.

[MSUmama]

Call and explain your situation honestly. Every mom I know who has been summoned and asked to be excused, has been. The one time I was worried for a friend was when it was Federal Court in Detroit and her child was well over a year old. She still got out of it, for at least another year.

If they don't let you off the hook, call your OB. Mamajama is right, 2 weeks postpartum is a medical condition and oh darn, by 6 weeks baby refuses to accept a bottle and the ped can write you a note for that. If you can't get medical notes, I would threaten to call the media, but only if asking nicely doesn't work. Good Luck!!

[OkiMom]

I would definetly call. There should be an exception. Is there a hardship reason? I think it would fall under that.

[Justmee]

Another vote for call. Even if you were formula feeding it's pretty well agreed that the first 6 weeks the mother is recovering pysically from the birth. Have a note for backup but I doubt at 2 weeks PP you will need it.

[Twinklefae]

Usually being the sole care provider(day time) for a child under six is enough reason.

[MamaJenese]

Does your state have an option to fill out your jury summons online? My does and when I filled out there there were more choices. One being I am the sole caregiver for the children of our household. I checked that box and a week later got a letter saying I was excused.

[ErikaS57]

I was summoned for 8 days after my EDD (in Massachusetts, which doesn't have an automatic exclusion for BF). I checked off the 'medical condition' box and then there was a spot to write in details on the other side. So, I wrote that I wasn't even sure if i'd have delivered by then, and that afterwards I'd be BFing. I told them I'd be happy to serve once my daughter was 1 year old, but would be unable to before then. I was excused. She's almost 2 and I haven't heard anything since (though, I'm expecting again so sure I'll get that summons soon, lol).

[SallyN]

http://www.llli.org/Law/Bills32.html

ORS § 10.050
999 Ore. ALS 1085; 1999 Ore. Laws 1085; 1999 Ore. SB 1304

... (4) a Judge of the Court or Clerk of Court shall excuse a woman from acting as a juror upon the request of the woman if the woman is breastfeeding a child. A request for excuse from jury service under this subsection must be made in writing...

[GardenStream]

I was about 7 weeks pp when I got summoned. I just called and nicely asked if I could be excused because I was breastfeeding. The judge called back about 20 minutes later and told me that I was excused and he would make sure I wasn't summoned again for at least a year. I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn't hasseled at all.

I'm sure your doctor can write a note to excuse you as well.

[merry-mary]

it looks like you're covered by a good law there! Just do it in writing. I'd probably call the clerk as well.

This phenomenon is so very interesting: I feel like so many women who just give birth are summoned for jury duty. It happened to me, it happened to a bunch of my friends and coworkers too. It seems to happen here on MDC often as well. It's as though the gov't receives your request for a birth certificate and figures hey, let's summon her for jury duty now!

[sapphire_chan]

Maybe it's a secret plot to get cute babies to visit courtrooms?

[pumpkinhead]

Yeah, I agree with the others, being only 2 weeks post partum is enough of a medical condition to get you excused. Breastfeeding should be part of that, but if it were me, I wouldn't even bring that up. I'd go with the recovering from 9 months of pregnancy and childbirth.

[ramama]

Seriously, two weeks postpartum I would not have been able to even sit on those juror chairs, or sit anywhere for that matter for an extended length of time.

[egfmba]

I agree. I wouldn't have been able to drag my behind down to the courthouse 2 weeks postpartum and been made to sit there, with my postpartum bleeding and pain and my breastfed child. If they dared to tell me I wasn't excused, I'd show up with breastpump in hand and adamantly claim that I was immovably biased in favor of either the police or the defendant (because he looks like my dear departed baby brother or some such nonsense that they can't prove) and be excused for cause!

Good luck to you! Definitely call and find out if you really have to have your doc write you a note because you are 2 weeks PP.

eva

[NewMama2007]

I would think that it would be a medical issue! I know in IL, a bfdg mama is exempt from jury duty. Check LLL to see what they say!

Nevermind, someone already quoted LLL!

[anamama]

I got summoned when I was bf'ing a newborn. I had to write a letter stating why I wouldn't be there, and it was fine. I live in KY, btw.

[Meredith&Alexander]

The laws on jury duty vary widely from state to state. This site has a good summary: http://www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.org/

[*Erin*]

try calling them on the phone and see what you get. i live in sc, and had a similar situation right before my ds was born, and i didnt even have to go to the county building, the lady was super nice, and told me not to worry about it, that she'd have my name taken off the roster, and she had me mail in a signed and notarized statement about my caretaker status. in sc you can be excused if you are the full time caregiver of anyone, your child or otherwise. im was a sahm to dd at that time, so that worked out for me. i could have taken a medical out as well. im sure ky has a provision to cover you for being a brand new mama!