Shocking story out of Maryland - Page 2

[kriket]

since when is eating a human maladies? grrr. she should have just started running around like a crazed woman talking about how Women/Hispanics/AA/the swedes, whomever are lesser individuals, or something equally as crazy that people do to get out of jury duty.
and the people who wouldn't mind serving on a jury never get called!

[elanorh]

This site has lots of helpful information about jury duty laws, state-by-state, etc.

http://www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.org/

I think it's ridiculous how few states have family friendly laws. My state actually has a law on the books which allows for people with primary care responsibilities, and more -- but the jury duty letter which our city jury sends out specifically lists situations like that as "not sufficient" for being exempted (I know, I've been on call for them for almost two years now - 5 months before SJ was born, and then since I got a deferment for the last month of her pregnancy, they 'renewed' it for me six months later; I got another deferment, and they've renewed it since then. : I'm almost done with the six month period without having to ask for a deferment, so hope I don't have to deal with it for awhile.

The ironic thing- they *do* specifically exempt people over the age of 65. In my opinion, most folks over 65 have plenty of time on their hands to accomodate a jury schedule.

Of course, we all know how mothers (breastfeeding or not), as well as those responsible for elder care etc. could avoid all these jury summons - we could just quit being registered voters. :

It looks like some states have figured it out, but others haven't .... I suppose the solution would be to have a national family-friendly jury law; but there are always those who actually do believe that parenting, or being seriously ill, or etc. are simply not reasons to 'shirk' having to show up for jury duty.

[JessasMilkMama]

I hope this is a catalyst for a new law. Because this is SO unacceptable.

[LittlePeanut]

Originally Posted by beautyful

Based on this article, I think Sen. Frosh was being facetious.

I was going to say it sounded a bit "tongue-in-cheek"

LP

[alysmommy2004]

Ughhhhhhh that makes me so mad! Maryland actually has really good BFing laws, just nothing in regards to jury duty.

I moved away from there in August and a couple of weeks after I moved they sent me a notice for jury duty. I filled it out it out, sent it in, a couple weeks go by and I get a notice that if I don't show up a warrant will be issued for my arrest!! Oh boy was I livid.

[SallyN]

Illinois has a law exempting breastfeeding mommas (with no age limit on the child). Unfortunately, we still hear stories at the county level of the clerks giving moms a hard time. Grrr.

[ryssann]

I live in Frederick County, and was able to get a postponement for lack of childcare. I guess it depends on the clerk.

[ramama]

I was just coming on the boards to see if anyone's heard of a way to help the mother pay her fines. I emailed the story to my mother, who lives in Maryland, and was a LLL leader back in the day. She is interested in helping pay the fine, so if anyone hears anything, please post!

When I lived in Montana, jurors are called for a year of duty. I got the notice when I was seven months pregnant with my second and still BFing my first. I as to be excused because I was pregnant and would be exclusively BFing and I was excused with no problems. And Montana isn't exactly progressive. I'm rather shocked that this happened in Maryland.

It's pretty sad when BFing mothers need laws to protect them. I see it as a huge societal failure when our culture doesn't see the value of BFing so our government has to step in and protect BFing.

[didkisa]

Wow! Sure glad I live in Montgomery County, MD when I called to postpone my jury duty two months ago!! That's outrageous! I had no problems whatsoever. They just asked when I could serve and I said in one year. I can't imagine what would've happened to my dd if I had to go in...since I don't have enough supply to pump enough for an entire day (I really don't have enough to get thru each day as it is) and she won't take formula unless it's mixed two to one with my breastmilk.

[phathui5]

Can anyone find contact information for this judge?

[Benji'sMom]

Originally Posted by beautyful

Based on this article, I think Sen. Frosh was being facetious.

That article sounds like she was summoned in October and wrote a letter in October then just didn't show up for jury duty, didn't do anything about it till they called her in January. If that's what she did, no wonder she ended up in contempt. That wasn't really the smartest way to handle it. I can't believe she thought "I'll just write a letter to the judge then forget about it." Not too smart.

There should be a postponment for BFing let me make it clear where I stand on that issue. But her duty was in October and she wasn't held in contempt till January, seems like they gave her time to deal with it before arresting her. What did she expect, it would just go away forever, or just go away for as long as she felt like it, as if she's the one in charge?

I can see it now, "But your Honor, I wrote a letter to you, so that means I didn't have jury duty, why are you so upset with me???" :

[annettemarie]

Mothering can't host fundraising posts, and I've removed a handful. If I have missed one, please self-edit. Thanks!

[bodhicitta3]

seriously WTH?
"If you start saying, we’re gonna excuse people for breastfeeding, you’ve gotta say ok to kidney dialysis, chemotherapy and all the other maladies that afflict the human condition."
yes b/c ppl who have kidney dialysis and chemo should be serving on jury duty?!? This is just ridiculous!

[wryknowlicious]

Originally Posted by p1gg1e

They sold me here:



Sorry , we know you have cancer but thats no excuse!

EXACTLY!

"oh sorry, we know you have to have dualysis every other day for 12 hours... but too bad , you need to show for this weeklong trial"

dear. friggin. lord.

BTW- I'm glad the comments on that news site are all by humans who have a brain and a heart. Things the judge and his boss are obviously lacking.

FINED JUST FOR ASKING!!!! gah! I'm still shocked.

[Benji'sMom]

Originally Posted by wryknowlicious

EXACTLY!

FINED JUST FOR ASKING!!!! gah! I'm still shocked.

She was not fined just for asking, she did not show up for jury duty and was found in contempt of court 3 months later.

[phathui5]

But when she asked, she told them that her mother could come up in the summer and provide childcare. Until that point, they wouldn't have childcare available.

[innle]

That is crazy

In Australia (or at least NSW), I think that mothers (or maybe parents in general) of dependent children aged under 18 can get an exemption from jury duty. I vaguely remember Mum getting a letter asking her to do jury duty, and she claimed an exemption because I was 17 at the time.