Any way to get out of jury duty?

[myfairbabies]

I got the letter about jury duty when dd was around 10 months old, and got it postponed until now (she's 13 months). The lady told me it could only be until she was a year old. But dd still nurses at least once an hour, nurses to sleep, I don't own a pump, and I've never been away from her for more than a few hours (and then she was with dh, we've never left her with anyone else, no family here). On top of that, she's got food allergies (dairy, soy, wheat, nuts) so I'm on an elimination diet also. Anything I can do to get out of it? Do they provide food or can I bring my own? Would they provide time and space to pump every 2-3 hours (we recently went on vacation and I only nursed every 3 hours and got plugged ducts)? I'm in Utah. Thanks!

[handspun]

http://www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.or...s/page0025.htm

if this site is accurate, it looks as though you are within your rights to be excused from jury duty in utah as the primary caregiver to a child under 10.
good luck!

[St. Margaret]

If you can't get cleared ahead of time, get a note from your doctor and even your child's ped about your need to pump so often, her special dietary needs, etc. That's terrible Utah only goes to a year, but it sounds like you're covered anyway. Good luck.

[yarngoddess]

In California all I would have to do is get a note from my doctor saying that I need to be excused from Jury Duty due to Breastfeeding for the next 2yrs. That's it.

[myfairbabies]

Thank you! I don't have a doctor, how do I find someone to write me a note? I'm guessing the midwife I haven't seen in a year wouldn't count to a judge.

[mamajake]

Originally Posted by handspun

http://www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.or...s/page0025.htm

if this site is accurate, it looks as though you are within your rights to be excused from jury duty in utah as the primary caregiver to a child under 10.
good luck!

This entry is referring to federal court in Utah. State court in Utah does not have the same rule.

[bjorker]

Thanks for the link! Fine time for me to see this thread - I just got a jury duty summons and my babe is only two weeks old! So not happening!

OP, I figure if nothing else works, you *could* just show up with your dd and say that you're sorry but there was nothing else you can do. What else can they do but excuse you?

[myfairbabies]

I'm pretty sure they could put me in contempt of court!

After reading some it sounds like it likely wouldn't be more than a few hours, so we decided that if I get called (day 2 of my week and nothing yet) then DH will take the day off of work to take care of dd. I can nurse her at lunch time and dh will give her a little milk or water in a cup. He's taken care of her for 4 hours before and as long as they are out of the house doing fun things I think she'll be fine (and she'll take a nap in the car or in the ergo). I did call the clerk and she said that pumping would be no problem. Hopefully I don't even have to go to the courthouse, but if I do, I'll report back my experience!

[mamajake]

Originally Posted by myfairbabies

I'm pretty sure they could put me in contempt of court!

Absolutely. Judge could and judges have held parent in contempt for bringing children to jury duty. One judge in Ohio held the mother in contempt and gave her a few hours to get a caretaker to come for the kids before putting them into foster care. This is not a risk worth taking.