JURY DUTY: up until two months ago i had been unemployed for close to four years?

Question

i started a p/t job 2 weeks ago(2 days aweek)and also work now as a independant contractor 4 days a week. if i serve jury duty it is going to cause an extreme hardship as i am trying to keep a roof over my head on my own what can i do to stay out of jury duty at least until im o my feet .i had postponed it twice as i didnt even have car fare .

i would like to add i did receive help from friends and relatives until i was able to stand on my own too feet i have not received food stamps or welfare .

Answer 1

Show up and when they ask who would not be able to serve, raise your hand. Tell them what you said here, new job after 2 years of unemployment. They may mark you off as a possible juror.

Answer 2

There's every chance the lawyers will drop you from the jury pool if you tell them about your financial hardship. Neither side wants a juror who's too worried about his own welfare to be an objective listener. This means you'll have to show up for the initial cattle call at the courthouse. That's the breaks, sad to say.

You might be able to discuss your situation with someone at the courthouse before that date, however. My sister-in-law got out of jury duty one time by telling them she would be out of the state at that time, which she was. You might schedule an out-of-state contracting gig to give you more leverage. I'm not suggesting the court would appreciate that gesture necessarily, but it would prove need.

You might be able to work something out with your employer about compensation during jury duty. He might decide to pay you some wages anyway, plus you may get a little money for your time from the court. Your contracting clients may just have to put up with a little delay for a few days. As long as they honor your contract and you get the services done, you should still get paid.

Answer 3

If you write a letter explaining the background of your situation, they would probably excuse you. Ask your p/t supervisor to write a letter confirming that you just started that job. Maybe ask for a note from one or more of your independent clients to confirm that part of your story. When you were unemployed, were you getting benefits? You might provide some documentation of that, too.

The only time I was ever called came at an awkward time for my company; as I had just been reassigned within the company to cover someone who had just left. After my employer sent a letter, I was excused completely. (I was actually disappointed; I would have liked to do it once things settled down!)

Answer 4

There are many ways 2 get out of jury duty. I always tell them I'm breast feeding a child or that i take care of my bed ridden mother and there is no one else to take care of her. I've never served jury duty a day in my life.

Answer 5

Talk to the judge and try and explain your hardship. My experience is that the he/she sits there collects a very good salary and tells people who are losing income about their civic duty.

Answer 6

Do what regular people do, however hard it's gonna be just rule against the status quo and you'll be doing your part man. Or do as Al Bundy did, toss it.