I'm dreading an upcoming jury duty

[young_at_heart]

I have a very bad back and some other health problems so the prospect of sitting on those hard seats for several hours has me anxious. I want to do my duty, but I don't know how I'm going to manage.

[wtmusic]

1. You can usually get a medical exemption

Just need a note from your MD.

[young_at_heart]

9. He refused

Been going to him for 12 years and his assistant called and said he wouldn't do it.

[wtmusic]

20. I think you need a doctor who's more responsive to your needs.

I had jury service in January and the clerk told us that's a common problem, especially with the elderly.

[old mark]

2. Call your doctor, and call the number on the jury summons...My wife and I

are excused from the jury list because of chronic medical problems.

Your doctor can write a letter if necessary.

mark

[young_at_heart]

10. I don't know why, but he won't give me a letter

He knows I've had serious back issues since the age of 20. My husband and I will be finding a new doctor. That, in itself is pretty stressful.

[Lint Head]

3. You should be able to contact the court and tell them of your

issue. If I was dying of aggressive cancer I would still love to be on the jury to convict G Bush and D Cheney of murder.

[monmouth]

4. If you are selected, the usual is to call in the a.m. to see if you have

to report. If you are on a case, then yes. If not picked for a particular case, go home and call in, you will be in a pool.

[Webster Green]

5. Just drop a harmless bombshell.

When they interview you, say something like: "I really don't have much faith in our justice system", or "I don't like cops".

You're outa' there, and won't get called back for a long time.

[Raoul]

6. Excellent!

I love that and will use it if I'm called. Thanks. ROFL

[eleny]

7. Doing investigative work for social services was the kiss of death for serving

One side or the other always rejected me as a juror.

[panader0]

18. Or "Of course they're guilty. Why else would they be arrested?"

[young_at_heart]

21. I'm ready to try anything, otherwise I'll have to take lots of Valium

Thanks!

[sad sally]

31. Here's the best one I've heard; happened some years back:

When asked by the lawyers if he was capable to serve, a guy I worked with said, "yes, but I have severe hemorids I'm self-medicating, so will need to know how I should let you know when I need to get up and go to the bathroom." He then proceeded to graphically describe his "problem," which all of us had heard about from him on many occasions. He was excused and never called on again.

[gvstn]

8. Our form has a hardship exemption

If yours does you might write in that you are unable to sit for extended periods of time due to chronic pain and think your condition and need to take frequent breaks may be a distraction from the process.

Or call and say about the same. Ask if they can accommodate with a different type of chair or more frequent breaks for you to change positions/walk around. They will probably tell you how to proceed to get excused from duty.

They are willing to let people out of duty for valid reasons. They just don't want to hear, "I make more at work than I do from your stipend--this crap is costing me money!" They get that every day.

[young_at_heart]

11. The form says that I would need a doctor's excuse in writing

I called his office right after getting the summons and I am appalled that he refused to give me this. My husband was on the jury here last year and was there for 9+ hours for three days. Somehow I will get through this but I am feeling pretty stressed.

[virgdem]

13. Find another doctor, stat

Did you question your Doctor as to why he won't provide a letter of waiver for you? He sounds like a first class jackass. You can do better than him and I would search long and hard for another Doctor with some empathy for your situation. Good luck and don't give up until you find a good doctor that understands your health problem.

[young_at_heart]

16. For 12 years we thought he was terrific---I was only able to talk to his assistant

After she called twice to say "no" we wrote him a letter of our disbelief and told him we would be finding another doctor. This was three weeks ago and I have finally given up ever hearing from him again. Needless to say, finding another doctor at this age and in a place where they usually say, "He/she is not accepting new patients" has been difficult.

You are correct---he is a first class jackass. Maybe finding this out now was a 'blessing in disguise'?

[enough]

12. I don't know how old you are, but when my father was called, I discovered that

in our area there is an automatic waiver, if desired, for anyone over a certain age.

I do think your doctor is being unreasonable and uncompassionate, not very good traits in a doctor.

[young_at_heart]

14. In my county if you are 72 then you can have that wairver---I'm 71!

I'm hoping I'll have a chance to talk to someone once I'm there about my situation.

[CTyankee]

15. Do you have an attorney in your immediate family?

My son is a prosecutor and it has gotten me disqualified...it's moot now because in my state I have reached that "certain age" where I can decline w/o any fuss...

[young_at_heart]

17. Unfortunately, no

In one year I will be able to decline like you. Why they chose "72" is a mystery!

[CTyankee]

19. Last time I was called I was fresh out of the hospital from major abdominals surgeries.

It was an ordeal and I had a VNA nurse every day come to my house after 6 weeks in the hospital. Damn right I got a medical exemption!

Now I have two exemptions...even if I wasn't the right age...

[Paper Roses]

22. I have received notice to serve many times. Most time spent

sitting in wait. The last two times I was called, as part of the initial review of the pool, all were asked to raise their hands if they would take the word of a police officer over that of the defendant.
Daah....Yes, I would. I was called forward to answer a few questions before the judge, away from the hearing of the rest of the pool.

He asked why I would take the word of a police officer, I told him I believed that the police would be fair and give an honest account of events.

I was dismissed.

[TheCowsCameHome]

23. Request a postponement this time, meanwhile find another doctor.

[young_at_heart]

24. I will call tomorrow---wish me luck!

We have been researching doctors and think we may go with a teaching facility for residents that has a good reputation and is close to our home. I'm ready to give a young doctor a chance.

[TheCowsCameHome]

25. Do they allow one postponement without explanation in your state?

I know in Mass. you can get one just by requesting it, no reason necessary. (The info for doing this is on the notification card they send telling you where and when to report for jury duty). At least you'd have time to find a more permanent exclusion.

Good luck.

[young_at_heart]

26. I looked up the info on the county site and---I don't think so

Here is what it says about postponements:

Excused/Deferment Procedures
From what I can tell, I need a signed doctor's statement, but I'm going to call tomorrow and see what I can learn. I've held off because I truly believed my doctor was just busy and would come through for me----I no longer am holding onto that hope.

Buncombe county, district 28, jury service, Excused Deferment Procedures

Excuses from jury duty must be presented to the Judge presiding in Room 410 of the Courthouse at 9:00 a.m. on the last Friday of the month prior to your service date.

Emergencies and Postponements

If there is a grave illness in your family, or equally serious problem that would constitute a hardship or extreme inconvenience for you to appear in court the date specified, telephone the Jury Clerk at 232-2706 (after 10:00 a.m.) for instructions on how to obtain a postponement.

Jurors over 65

Pursuant to N.C.G.S.9-6.1, persons 65 years or older are entitled to exemption from jury duty for good cause. The reason for the exemption request must be stated in writing. If the reason for the excuse is medical, attach a signed doctor's statement. Then return these two items to: Jury Clerk, Buncombe County Courthouse, Asheville, N.C. 28801-3582 at least three (3) days before the excuse date noted on the front side of your Summons. You may also write your reason for the exemption on the back of your Jury Summons, sign it and return this along with the medical statement to the Jury Clerk.

[TheCowsCameHome]

27. I found this on Google

Maybe it'll help buy some time.

http://www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/public/juryquestions.html#What%20if%20I%20can’t%20serve

[young_at_heart]

28. Awfully nice of you----thanks so much!

I have seen that page and will read it again in case I have missed something. I must say, all this stress is not helping my bad back----it's killing me right now. I'm going to go take an epsom salt bath (really helps)!

[young_at_heart]

29. Update

Well I had to report to the courthouse this afternoon, along with 75 others. I sat in the jury waiting room for about three hours and then we split up into two courtrooms. The judge asked if anyone felt the need for postponement and another person and I went forward to talk to him. I told him that due to a congenital problem, for many years I have needed to take Valium and painkillers in order to sit for extended periods of time. He said I should bring a doctor's excuse with me in the future.

I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone ---- right now I am still "zoned out" from the Valium and codeine I took earlier, but I am finally starting to relax!

Thanks to all of you for responding and for your advice----much appreciated!

[Peregrine Took]

30. You were brave to show up. I hate jury duty - gives me panic attacks~

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

32. Your doctor gives you a prescription for valium and codeine?

Because of pain?

And he won't give you a note excusing you from jury duty?

This is strange.

On the other hand, if you tell the judge and lawyers that you're on valium and codeine, but will be relaxed and dreaming while they present evidence, they might not want you on the jury.

:hi:

No doubt you'll be selected for jury duty again in the near future. Good luck with the pain management.