[jmom713]

I was summoned for jury duty in Phoenix, AZ. The form used to have a checkbox for hardship and then several lines so you could explain. In my case, my son is still exclusively breastfed (13 months). He refuses cups, bottles and solids. I also will have all 4 of my children home (school will be out) and it would be a financial hardship to afford childcare for 4 children full time while on jury duty. The new AZ form states that if you have a reason that you could not do long term jury duty you have to attend the first day to state why. Then there are a few checkboxes under a section listed as request to excuse from jury duty. I selected the checkbox for "It is impossible for me to get appropriate substitute care FOR ONE DAY for someone who is under my care." Then you have to attach a written statement explaining why. I wrote a letter stating that my youngest child exclusively breastfeeds, refuses cups and bottles, and does not take solids yet. I stated that I was my son's sole source of nutrition and hydration.<br><br>
Has anyone had any experiences with Arizona's newer jury duty forms? What was your turn out?<br><br>
thanks!<br><br>
Jen

 

[My4Boys]

I would add that finding suitable child care FOR JUST ONE DAY would be a financial hardship as well.

 

[bdavis337]

Do you have room to add that you will have FOUR children to look after for that time period, and find care for? That might hold even more weight than the breastfeeding, unfortunately. It's worked twice for me in Illinois.

 

[bluegreenturtle]

Have you tried contacting the office that sent you the letter by phone? I am in MN and it has a similar situation where you have to attend during a certain day and explain your case if you can't serve. I called the courthouse and explained my situation and the woman I talked to(the secretary) said that she would file an exemption for me because I was a stay-at-home caretaker for a child and was nursing. She told me to send in the form explaining my case and when she got it she would file the exemption. I week later I got a letter saying I did not have to serve.<br><br>
Good luck to you!

 

[HaleyMom]

I was summoned in Tucson, AZ., last spring. I merely wrote on the back of the form that I was a breastfeeding mother, after checking off the part about being the sole caretaker. I didn't phone anyone about it. I think I got the dismissal letter a few days later. Don't worry about it!

 

[Bella Mia]

I was also summoned (in Phx) but at the time I think dd was 9 mos old. I believe I just called in and explained the situation and they were really easy to work with. The lady said my name would be removed from their rotation for 6 or 12 months? I don't remember exactly.<br><br>
But it was painless as I recall . . .

 

[jmom713]

Thanks for all of the information Ladies. I think I will probably call them even though I mailed in the letter. I can't hurt.<br><br>
Jen

 

[sapphire_chan]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"> I hope it works out!

 

[quaz]

I think I simply wrote that I was a SAHM with kids that were not in school and had noone to watch my kids. That worked fine.<br><br><br>
Ahhh..here<br><a href="http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/jury/faqs/faqs.asp" target="_blank">http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.go.../faqs/faqs.asp</a><br><br>
There is no guarantee of being excused, unless you are over 75... but some reasons a person may be excused... this one is listed...<br><br><i>Must provide actual and necessary care for another and alternate arrangements are not feasible.</i><br><br>
BTW, the faq says you can not be excused by calling in, only writing.<br><br>
Tammy

 

[jmom713]

Thanks Tammy. I already sent the written letter so I will just sit tight.

 

[StarJune]

I am curious to know what happens. Let us know...

 

[Shelsi]

I got a summons just a few months ago here in Tucson. He's almost 3 and not nursing anymore but I am prego and quite frankly just did not want to do it right now (usually I have no problems doing it and find it kind of interesting though so no flaming please!).<br><br>
I wrote that it would be a financial hardship because of day care for even one day because I also would miss out on that day of pay for myself. We barely skate by on the income we have, I can't miss a whole day of work. I got a post card just a few days later saying I was excused.

 

[Full Heart]

I get summoned every year and of course I can never go. I just check the box that I am a childcare provider or whatever it is. Never had a problem being excused. Just a warning. Dh got summoned in Dec and he couldn't go because hes self employed. Even 1 day off work would be a financial hardship so he told them that and sent it. It got lost in the mail. You can look it up online to see if you have been excused and it didn't say he had responded yet! So He called them and they postponed it for him. When he got the next summons he sent it in again. The mail here is really bad so be sure they actually get it. But it shouldn't be a problem.