Jury Duty and breastfeeding

[Happywillow]

I recently received a summons to serve as a prospective juror for the next three months. I also received a summons last fall and this spring, but my judge granted me a deferment due to being pregnant and then having a young infant. My son is now 8 months old but is still nursing. He eats a few solids, but breastmilk supplies 80% of his food. He has never taken (or been offered) a bottle. I live in Arkansas and there are no laws protecting nursing mothers and babies in this situation. I am afraid the judge will not grant my request for deferment this time (he is known as being a judge who will not excuse anyone from jury duty.) I refuse to wean my son just to serve on a jury, but I don't really want to go to jail either!: Does anyone have any thoughts on how to handle this if my request is denied?

[MommyJoia]

bring your baby and nurse in the jury box?

[Happywillow]

I guess if it came down to it, that is what I would do. Though I have already been told (and it is in bold on the information sheet) that children are not allowed. (Not to mention I have no idea what I would do for childcare for my three young children!)

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by Happywillow

I guess if it came down to it, that is what I would do. Though I have already been told (and it is in bold on the information sheet) that children are not allowed. (Not to mention I have no idea what I would do for childcare for my three young children!)

I'd take a look at this site and consider asking your legislature to resubmit a family friendly jury duty bill on your behalf.

http://www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.or...s/page0001.htm

http://www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.or...s/page0002.htm

How to speak to the Judge

Make sure that you:

• Dress appropriately to make a good impression.
• Try to bring your kids (or dependent family member if possible) to make your point that you REALLY can’t get a sitter!
  (If you don’t bring your kids, expect to be asked, “Who’s taking care of your kids now?”)
• Bring a copy of your letter requesting deferral.
• Bring along your spouse or a friend for moral support. This is especially helpful if your kids need to use the bathroom, etc. It’s good to have someone keep an eye on your kids when you can’t!
• Be prepared to spend a lot of time in the Courthouse, waiting in line to speak to the Judge. Even if your child cries, do NOT leave your place in line.
• Expect to pass through security checkpoints equipped with metal detectors, etc.
  • Frequently, prohibited items include cameras, recorders, cell phones, etc.
  • Remember to present your claim check to retrieve such items upon departing the courthouse.

[maylea_moon]

you will most likely be granted a deferment. almost the exact same thing has happened to me, i have been summoned 3 times, the first time i was going on vacation, the second i was 37 weeks pregnant and the 3rd i was nursing. i was granted a deferment all three times (this was in wa state). good luck mama!

also with the nursing situation, you could fib a little (i did) i told them that while i'm breastfeeding i also had nobody to care for my children while i would have to have been gone.

[taterbug1999]

yeah you know realisitically you could just go to him and say you are nursing an infant... leave out the exact age unless he gets all nosy. Maybe that would be enough to get the excuse. I recently got called and got excused for all but Mons. due to homeschooling which he didn't have to do... just be polite and undemanding and I would think you would be fine. Lots of people ask for stupid excuses and the rumor that he's tough may have come from that... Good luck!

[CarsonBookworm]

I've been excused from Jury duty in the last year by saying....I'm a nursing Mama.

That was all that I needed to say.

[Happywillow]

Well, good news, bad news. The judge did grant me a DEFERMENT, but did not "excuse" me from duty. He has ordered that I serve the term of April-June 2009. His letter stated that this would be my LAST deferment. So I guess I have no choice in the matter next spring, even though I will probably still be nursing and also have three children under 4 with no childcare.

[CarsonBookworm]

What a UAV!
I understand the point of jury duty but if you have no one to watch your kids and you are still nursing your DS, I don't know why he couldn't defer you until your situation otherwise changes.

[Happywillow]

I know! My husband could take off of work for a few days, but that would be all. I guess we'll just see when the time comes, and if I really have no one, off all of us will go to the courthouse! I wonder what they would do if I did that?