An open plea to all of you:
I got a jury summons the other day.
While I am more than happy to do my civic duty, this can wreak havoc on a self-employed person's business.
The last time I was a full-time freelancer, I received a summons twice in about a year-and-a-half. Both times, when I called the day before, my services were not needed and I never had to report.
Once, while employed at the Republic, I had to go sit in the waiting room all day, but was not called in to a courtroom.
Have any of you been called to jury duty? Did anyone care that you were self-employed and could potentially go bankrupt if seated on a long-term jury? Have any of you been seated on a jury? How long did it last?
I don't mind serving a few days, but if I have to take a couple of weeks off, that could undermine my ability to meet deadlines. As it is, I've been telling editors I can't plan on taking much work next month because I don't know what my situation will be.
Any advice would be appreciated.
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6 comments:
I haven't had been called for jury duty during the times when I was relying soley on contract work for income. Would disclosing your situation at the jury interview increase your odds of being released from duty?
I would go and if you make to the Q & A part of the selection process, plead your case w/the lawyers/judge at that time. One of the "usual" questions is generally along the lines of "would serving be a hardship and if so, please explain...". (Along w/the self-employed, there are people who for example, are primary caretakers of family members, etc. If they don't ask that, I'd make the situation quite clear.
This would freak me out, too - and the $12/day or whatever it is they pay now is not gonna cover it...
Over the years, I have served on two juries, both times, I believe they were approx two days? Something like that -- but any longer than that and I'd need a Xanax to deal w/my deadlines :)
Seems I get summoned a couple times a year. I always explain that serving would be a financial hardship for me, since I am the primary caregiver to our two children plus I provide a substantial amount of our family's income (my husband is a Jeep tour guide and works seasonally).
I recommend explaining your situation in detail and clearly stating why it would be an economic hardship for you to serve. It's worked for me!
Hi Geri,
I was called for jury duty when acting as managing editor at Arizona Business Magazine. I learned that the average length of a trial in Arizona is a couple days. Also, there is a legal way to get out of jury duty; they excuse people if it's an undue hardship on you ie you'll go bankrupt, can't pay bills, will lose contracts, etc.
My trial was almost three weeks long. With that said, I wouldn't trade it for anything, it was a wonderful experience and one I'd recommend going through with if you can.
Hi Geri,
I've been called for jury duty many times. Never got picked up to serve, however. Actually, the waiting time is kind of nice. You can actually read a book without interruption, for instance. And you can try out a new restaurant downtown--they break for lunch, as I recall. If you get picked to serve, it could be an interesting trail, so maybe you'd get a story out of it.
But, since you're a journalist, I find we don't often get picked.
There was one time when I was so afraid of getting picked, as I was going out of vacation. I just told them that, and waited, with fingers crossed, that I wouldn't get picked. Whew! I didn't. I haven't been called back since.
Thanks for inviting me over to your blog.
Jackie
Geri, in the past I found that there was a space on the summons for you to detail your hardship, on which you would explain your situation and send it in. Obviously, your concern is mine and I told them so. They mailed back a card that said I was excused, meaning I never even had to go down to the courthouse.
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