I can’t believe you get called up every year! I only got summoned for jury duty once about 10 years ago. I had to call in every so often to see if they had a case for me to serve on but I never had to actually show up during the whole time I was on call.

I’m surprised too Sarah by the frequency - I wonder if once you’ve served and you’re in their system the likelihood increases. Probably varies greatly by state too.

In New Jersey we are called once every 3 years—at most.  It can be less frequent than that.  I recently served, since my youngest is 9 and I had older kids home to care for him after school; wrote about it here:  http://sfomom.blogspot.com/2011/06/impartial.html

I’m glad I served, much as I was relieved not to be assigned that case.  I do consider it my duty as a citizen—just like voting, but more inconvenient.  Think of the inconveniences that deployed soldiers and their families experience every day.  Compared to that, jury duty’s pretty small potatoes.

I’ve been summoned a few times. I’ve always deferred due to being primary care provider of minor children. The funniest was when the state of CT called me TWICE after I moved to TX. I can understand the first time as it was right after we moved but I sent them a copy of my new TX driver’s license and a few months later they sent another notice…to my TX address.
Bureaucracy
Dh was called a couple of times and served on a two week murder trial. After that I really didn’t feel bad deferring jury duty until I don’t have little ones at home.

Kansas exempts breastfeeding mothers. I am so thankful, because my kids won’t take bottles and I’m sure a judge wouldn’t allow pumping breaks to maintain supply!

For a homeschooling mother, this presents a particular problem since there would be no one to care for or teach the children for that period of time during the school year. I have been exempted 3 times in two different states because I had a breastfeeding infant. I cringe when I think of what I would do if I had to line up a week’s worth of sitting/teaching for 6 children and pray I would be exempted until they are older. It’s not that I don’t want to do it. I assume my day will come… but please, Lord, not yet!

I got a summons a year or two ago, and sent the card back explaining that I am the primary caregiver for my son and don’t have anyone else to watch him.  That seemed to do the trick.  Years ago before I was married I was summoned a few times;  only once did I have to show up at court, and was dismissed after a few minutes.  I wouldn’t mind serving once my son is grown, but now I literally have no one else to watch him.  Even if he were in school, I would need to be home in time to watch him after school.

I served on a 6 week trial when I was just about through the end of my first trimester with my first child.  Given that we knew the trial would be long and that many people had some relation to the company being sued (on whether their airplane was defective and caused a crash), many potential jurors got out of serving.  I had already scheduled my next OB appt for a day that court would not be in session so I couldn’t use an appt as an excuse.  They didn’t even dismiss me though my husband had worked for the law firm handling the defense! 

The experience was completely exhausting, as I had to travel via train then subway then shuttle bus to get to court and on the 2 afternoons/week that court got out early, I always went to work.  Despite the fact that it was exhausting, it was a great experience.  I appreciated being part of a jury comprised of thoughful individuals who took the role seriously and the court officer was very caring and always made sure I was comfortable.  Obviously, now that I have children, I can’t imagine taking the time to serve and I think it is especially difficult to ask a nursing mother to serve.

I always encourage those who are able to serve to do so.  It is an intellectually and interpersonally interesting experience and the system needs honest, thoughtful people to serve.

I have no idea what I would do if called to serve since I am a homeschooling mom with absolutely no relatives to take care of my kids My husband only gets vacation at Christmas and one week a year set by the company so he could not stay home.  He might be able to call in sick one or two days but he tries hard not to take sick days even when he is sick.  Hiring a nanny for a short term assignment like that would probably cost about $200 a day which we can’t afford.  I am TOTALLY in favor of professional juries.

I just served last week. I went to jury selection, but wasn’t picked. The process was interesting, but I am glad I didn’t have to arrange more time away from work. In our state/county you are exempt from jury duty for 4 years after being summoned. The only exemption is federal court. They can call any time. So, if you are ever called up more often, you can say that you’ve served.

I was called once, about 25 years ago. It was for Federal Court, and I was selected, though as an alternate. I sat through the entire case, but then the judged deemed that the rest of jury was “intact” and it didn’t look like they’d need me for deliberations, so I was excused. I was single then, and it was no trouble with my employers at all, so not a problem. I have been summoned a couple times since then, but always had infants/pre-schoolers at home and so was excused. Still waiting for the ‘next’ call…whenever that might be.

In our state (or county - whoever makes the decisions here) does not care if you are breastfeeding an infant or are homeschooling.  Without getting into all the sad details, I know both of these first hand.  Thankfully all turned out ok.  But it was very stressful.

I have never been called, which is too bad because I would’ve welcomed the interesting experience & chance to serve my community. I would be furious if I was required to serve now as a nursing mama. I’m sure it’d be the end of the nursing relationship with my toddler if I was (we don’t even own a pump or bottles!) and that’s a decision the government shouldn’t be able to make for any family. I really don’t understand why all the courts don’t leave moms of babies and toddlers alone for a few years.

About 4-5 months ago, I got my letter stating they would need me in May to serve.  My 7th baby would be about 6 weeks at that time.  I sent a letter back stating I would be unable to serve because of breastfeeding, unless they would allow me to bring my baby with!  They sent a letter back saying I was dismissed at this time due to “hardship”!!!!  Love it!  Didn’t realize sustaining your baby is considered a hardship in some circles!

In my state (Massachusetts) no one is automatically excused. Since I’ve been here, a US Senator has served on a jury and a sitting Supreme Court Justice was called for jury duty - but the defense attorney excluded him. You may defer for up to 12 months.  I do, to arrange a time when relatives can come in from out of town to watch the kids. They get the week off school though - watching 6 kids is hard enough, without trying to teach school.  The last two times, I served in my 3rd trimester. The first time, they wanted to put me on a longer trial and I explained my in-laws could not stay that long, so they put me on a shorter (2 day) trial. In my experience, if you have made arrangements so you can serve a shorter trial, they are impressed and help you. But from hearing the court personnel talk, if you show up with a child because you couldn’t find anyone to watch it for one day with a year’s notice, they are NOT impressed.

I’ve never been called to serve, though I’ve always wanted to. I am a big proponent of representative juries. Here in Ontario, I am certain that you can be dismissed for compassionate reasons. My father was called two months after a near-fatal heart attack, and they had no problem excusing him. More recently, a close girlfriend was called. She is the single mother of a nursing child under two, and the trial looked to be one in which the jury would be cloistered. There was just no way she could, so she was excused.

I’ve been called 3 times in 50+ years.  We are in a county of 10,000.  My husband has been called about the same and once for federal jury.  Sounds like every year is a bit much.

I’ve only been called once, but was dismissed pretty much upon entering the room.(maybe because my father is the head public defender for the entire county and as a result I know pretty much every lawyer, judge, clerk and police officer in the county)  Perhaps, one day I’ll move a little farther way and have a chance to do my civic duty…

I’ve actually never been called for duty.  A few years ago, though, my husband served as foreman on a jury for a sexual abuse case (a young girl was the victim).  It was incredibly disturbing for him.  I used to think I’d welcome the chance to serve, but after his experience, I’m hoping to continue to avoid it.

I’ve been called twice in the last ten years and both times was immediately excused because I had a young child (one time it was a nursing infant, the next it was a preschooler).  I would have no problem serving when my children are older, but frankly I’d be a terrible juror right now if I were forced to be one because my concern would be for my babies (I currently have a 2 yo and a 1 yo) and not the trial.  Too distracting!

As an attorney, I’ve always wanted to serve and see what happens inside the jury room.  I’ve only been called twice.  The first time I made it to voir dire (the jury selection pool), but was pointed out as an attorney and not chosen.  The second time I never even made it that far.  As frustrating as it would to rearrange my life and find care for my children, I take our obligation of public service seriously, both as an American and a Catholic.

I guess we’re pretty fortunate in Texas. The jury summons has an exemption if you are the primary caregiver of a child aged 12 and under. Also, I remember being exempt when I was in grad school. They have an exemption for students.

In our state jury duty is every 3 years, not every year.  I am grateful.  I hate jury duty as I see our system as flawed.  Anyone with enough money can wheedle their way out of taking responsibility it seems.  I did get called for the Grand Jury once.  I was a single working mother at the time and Iwas excused as I was sole care giver for my little ones.

The first time I ever received a jury duty summons was just after the moving truck loaded up our household belongings to move to another state.  I sent the request back explaining the move (postmarked from our new hometown) and that was that.  This past winter I received one in our current state and deferred until summer as I couldn’t ask someone to watch and school five children in March.  So, it is looming for me at the end of July and I still need to figure out child care.  That part stresses me out a lot.  I would be happy to serve if I did not have young children.  Interestingly, there are about 4 homeschooling mothers I know who have been summoned for jury duty this year.  Coincidence or conspiracy?

In our county in Texas, we are eligible to serve every 6 months, however, it has been years since I have been called—watch I get a summons in today’s mail!  I have been called 5 times and have actually served 2—one civil and one criminal, a murder.  Those who feel our system is not working should be privileged to sit on a jury.  The jurors I have known have been thoughtful and took their responsibility very seriously.  I am a paralegal and feel it is imperative for all of us to serve.  The jury system is a cornerstone of our justice system.  It’s kinda like voting.  Many complain about the system, but fail to vote.  Can’t change things if you don’t participate.

In our state you can be drawn every 4 years…and I always am.  I have been drawn for jury duty 5 times in 20 years.  The last time I had a newborn and had to find care for him as they would not excuse me (breastfeeding or not).  It is supposedly a “random” drawing but it doesn’t feel very random.  I don’t know of anyone who has been drawn ONCE much less 5 times!  I don’t mind doing my duty but I get a little irritated when my number comes up AGAIN and others never get drawn.  It would seem a little more fair if every person was drawn the same # of times.  : \

Personally, I think even bottle-feeding mothers should be excused.  It’s one thing when someone has a job outside the home that pays their salary and benefits while they serve.  It’s another thing for a stay-at-home mom who doesn’t have childcare.  What would they do if the mom showed up with her kids because she couldn’t leave them alone?

I only had received notice and both times had requested the court moved closer to home. The first time I went I couldn’t be picked because I am totally biased when it comes to crimes. The second I was collecting unemployment so wouldn’t have gotten any money out of it so I was dismissed. Unemployment allows NO provisions for job searching requirement.
I fear I am due for another one any time now.