Jury Duty Exemption DENIED

[Pynki]

Liam is 19 months old.. Still breastfeeding like 8x's a day.. This is the 3rd time I've been called to jury duty.. I send in my form for the exemptions.. I don't ignore it.. I don't pretend I didn't get it.. I do it the right way.. Well this time.. My deferment was DENIED.. So.. I called the district clerk of court to get an exemption THINKING it MUST be an oversight.. Nope.. The judge LEFT A LETTER WITH THE CLERK DENYING MY DEFERMENT!!!! WHY you might ask.. Cause I know I sure did.. Because I had already been deferred 2x's previously in the last 19 months.. uh huh.. All well and good (well not) BUT IOWA HAS LAWS EXEMPTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS FROM JURY DUTY!!!

That's right folks here it is..

Iowa Code § 607A.5, 2002
Iowa House File #2350, 1994
1994 Ia. ALS 1196; 1994 Ia. Ch. 1196; 1994 Ia. LAWS 1196; 1994 Ia. HF 2350

607A.5 Automatic Excuse From Jury Service

A person shall be excused from jury service if the person submits written documentation verifying, to the court's satisfaction, that the person is solely responsible for the daily care of a permanently disabled person living in the person's household and that the performance of juror service would cause substantial risk of injury to the health of the disabled person or that the person is the mother of a breastfed child and is responsible for the daily care of the child. However, if the person is regularly employed at a location other than the person's household, the person shall not be excused under this section.

That's right ladies and gents.. This judge is breaking Iowa State Law.. And I have to show up on Tuesday if there is a trial for jury selection or risk the consequences.. So.. I'm going. and I'm bringing a copy of this law in and saying .. I WILL NOT BE SERVING!!! If she wants proof that I'm lactating.. I will squirt her right in the eye.. SWEAR TO GOD I WILL!!! And it's a women who denied my deferment.. SHE SPECIFICALLY LEFT A NOTE WITH THE CLERKS TO NOT GIVE ME AN EXEMPTION..

I'm gonna go in looking like the biggest hippie I can and place that on ther little bench and WALK AWAY!! I'm writing letters to the editor, and I am PISSED!!!

Dyan
:

[Super Pickle]

I can't believe they said you have to go! Did you mention the law when you called? Can you take your nursling along with you? It's probably some woman who thinks extended nursing is "gross."

[soccerchic21]

: Please keep us posted on what happens.

[hallesmom]

This is such a joke. Please keep us updated. I can't believe that!!!!!!!

[steffanie3]

I wouldn't take your babe with you, someone did that in Idaho and I think they were in contempt. I am not sure but they talked about it at LLL.

Definitally start writing.

I don't understand why judges do this, they have done it at least twice in Boise, Idaho and it was a female judge both times too. One lady they requested her every six months, so like three times that I know of. I have moved since then, I wonder if she is still battling with them. Hmmm.

Please keep us updated.

[Ahleemah]

AAP ammo

Pynki,

Perhaps you should also take with you a printed copy of the new breastfeeding guidelines from the AAP which say something like "there is no upper limit to breastfeeding" and that there are no negatives shown physically or emotionally with breastfeeding beyond 2 years.

You could also take in the WHO code which states breastfeeding until 2 years or longer.

You're lucky that Iowa has some precedent in this law. Good luck! And if the judge fights you, do a little research in the next few days and get some contact info for your local news stations.

Ahleemah

[crunchy_mama]

How terrible. I think you should bring baby along as well. Good Luck!

[sept04mama]

I hope she's not doing it just to make a point. I used to work with a bunch of women who chose not to have children, and they were all so angry everytime someone got maternity leave (an it's only 4 weeks) or took sick leave to be with a child. Some women just don't understand. It's great that they chose not to participate in procreation, but who do they think should have the next generation of humans?!

[annettemarie]

Please keep us updated!
Annette

[chersolly]

Originally Posted by Super Pickle

It's probably some woman who thinks extended nursing is "gross."

I'm thinking the same thing.

[Simplicity]

Eeek, That is horrible! Good luck and I'll be watching to see what comes of this!

[MommytoTwo]

That is insane! I hope she gets in some kind of trouble. If I were you I would get a note from your pediatrician stating you are breastfeeding, because of this:

person submits written documentation

[Mavournin]

HOLY COW!!!

I agree with a PP, I would not bring your nursling with you. Maybe if it was an infant, but bringing a toddler (who by nature is sort of rowdy) is only going to get you the kind of attention you don't want. I think getting a note from your pediatrician is a good idea too... well... provided you don't have some horrendous ped who might suggest this as a "good time to wean".

This is awful and I'm glad that you have the law on your side. Let us know what happens.

[mama24-7]

I agree about getting the note from the ped. And if you're ped won't write it, perhaps your midwife or OB. I had the possiblity of having to serve jury duty and my dd's ped wrote a note. If you get to talk to the midwife or OB or ped directly, be sure to ask that it be included that if you are not given time to express your milk, you could end up w/ a plugged duct and/or an infection. They would be causing you bodily harm.

Good luck, we'll be thinking of you and keep us posted. YOu could also call LLL and ask to speak to a legal liasion in your area; they may know what you can do.

Sus

[CerridwenLorelei]

Hi Pynki dear

even without the nursing of Liam wouldn't you be excused because your autominnune stuff making it difficult for you to sit that long in one position etc?

[Meiri]

If you've got a friend who's a lawyer....

I'd not bring the child as that might just make the biddy more hostile than she apparently already is. Of course bringing a lawyer might do the same but at least he/she is an adult and can point out the law to this "judge".

If she's elected, this is Bad press for her. What kind of judge doesn't even know the laws regarding jury duty? Worse yet, what kind of judge breaks those laws?

A.An incompetent one.

[sovereignqueen]

I had my exemption denied for bfing too (I'm in CA). I went to them on the day I was called in and asked for an excuse and it was granted.

[Pynki]

I don't, my aunt and grandpa are, but I don't know that they can track up here to help me deal with it..

So.. I am taking a print out of the law in, and having my friend who is an IBCLC send me a fax stating I am infact breastfeeding and the complications that could arise for the inablilty to breastfeed or pump for extended time to both me and my son..

THen I am writing a letter to the editor, and to who ever has oversite over the district judges.. I'm really the wrong momma to screw with..

Warm Squishy Feelings..
Dyan

[mum2 4]

Can you do some research about this judge. is she a mother? was she so busy getting to be a lawyer/judge that she bottle fed and is having some personal issues with prospective jurors who bf? If so, she should not be using personal issues with her own unfulfilled womanhood to punish you but Milk Pride is a powerful emotion.
obviously her superiors need to take on her stubborness as she is indeed breaking the law. When we lived in Ft Madison, Iowa my very pregmatic son suggested we simply subtract 1/3 from our expectations about anything and we'd be fine there. Your pushy judge fits right in with his assessment. In this day those with a superior attitude find themesleves being bested as even the little woman at home with her nursling, in rural Iowa, has worldwide resources as her disposal. Think newspaper, TV, the Mayor's office,Governor and whoever appointed her as well as LLL legal advisor so the taps on madam's Judge's shoulder come from all sides...

[JodiL]

I was called to jury duty when DD was around 7mo, but because I was working (and pumping) I was not excused. When I showed up for duty, I pulled the judge and attys aside, told them that I was a bf mother and that I required 15min in the morning and 15min in the afternoon (along with the lunch break) for pumping.

They put me at the bottom of the list for the jury pool (would've been the last called) on this particular case. They gave me the pumping time I needed, no problem.