Jury duty - I'd love to serve but it ain't my time?

Question

I have been summonsed to jury duty. I don't mind, would actually enjoy it. But the timing is off big time. I had been unemployed for 8 months, got layed off through a buy-out. I just got a job at the first of November and don't think jury duty would fit well in my first few months. I love this job and don't want to miss anything about it - and we have a review presentation (I have been working on for weeks!) and have made flight reservations for it. I need to be there. I live in Arkansas - if that helps legally, any advice? Thanks!

Answer 1

First of all, gather up all the paperwork proving that you have plans to be elsewhere during the time you would be serving on a jury. Next, contact the city/state/federal court house you were assigned to serve the jury duty at, and ask for the court clerks office.

When you talk to the court clerk (or someone working in that office), explain to them you would like to seek an exception to serving your jury duty. Usually, they will inform you to show up in person at the court house with the above documentation. When you arrive, you will wait in line with other people wishing to be excused from serving jury duty, and eventually will (most likely) get to speak to the head judge of the court.

The judge will ask you to explain why you should be granted an exception, and ask you to provide him with proof of your circumstances. Explain to him that you believe, due to your circumstances, that serving jury duty would be a hardship on you, as well as create problems with your planned travel. He will then make a determination as to whether or not your circumstances are good enough to justify being excused from serving, or putting your service off until a later date.

An employer must allow an employee to serve jury duty, and, I believe, can not fire or reprimand an employee for serving jury duty, so long as your give your employer proof that you have been requested to serve (show them the jury summons). If an employer gives you a hassle for serving jury duty, I would recommend you contact the head judge for the court system that you were requested to serve the jury duty for, and explain to him/her the problems your employer has caused for you. They may make a phone call to your employer, explaining the legal requirements of an employer who has employees serving jury duty. After a phone call like that, it is unlikely the employer will cause more problems with your serving on a jury.

I would NOT recommend that you do nothing and simply skip going to jury duty. Most judges take jury duty very seriously, and won't hesitate issuing a warrant for the arrest of those who skip out.

Good luck on getting excused or having your service delayed!
-Saffyre

Answer 2

you're employer is obligated to give you time off for jury duty. you could call the court and explain the new job and all, not sure how that would go but its worth a shot.

Answer 3

contact the court and tell them the reason why you can't do jury duty.
i'm a truck driver, and occasionally i get summoned for jury duty, and i tell them unless they want to pay me $100+day, i can't afford to lose the time from work.
i've never had to report.

Answer 4

the courts often have a list of reasons one can use to skip jury duty. but because of the law, a company can't deny you the right to serve. i think you just don't want to. i know i didn't. either time.

Answer 5

See if you can postpone your jury duty

Answer 6

You can postpone once.
Aside from that, when you're called in you can explain the situation to the judge and it's likely that you'll be excused; they're fairly understanding.

Answer 7

Then dont go, call and explain what's going on, I totally missed
mine, I guess I crossed the letter in the mail and when I
found it, it was for 2 weeks before, they did'nt call or
anything.