For breastfeeding moms, have you ever been called to jury duty?

Question

I have been called to jury duty even after filling out the form stating that I am breastfeeding. My daughter is 16 months old and still nurses VERY frequently during the day. I am the only person available to care for her during the day. I have to write a letter explaining that why I cannot serve. I plan on including a note from our family practioner as well as from my OBGYN stating that a sudden separation could lead to mastitis and be traumatic for us both. I would like some ideas for what I could include in the letter. Also has anyone in this situation been successfully excused? I live in Michigan.

Please not a bunch of answers about weaning, I've done the research and I know this is what is best for babies AND toddlers--I just want answers about the court stuff please---thanks ;)

KitKat, I appreciate your answers. My daughter has been able to use a cup since she was six months old. She can also feed herself beautifully with a spoon. At this age the nursing is mostly for her own comfort. Just like you might see a child with a pacifier, blanket, bottle, favorite toy etc.. My daughter isn't attached to any of these artificial mommy replacers, she comes to me for comfort. When she is sick she won't eat or drink anything but my milk so it's a blessing to have it when she won't eat otherwise.

Yes, she would survive just fine without nursing for a few days. But when your body is used to making a ton of milk during a certain time and you suddenly stop nursing you can get a very painful breast infection and I would rather not deal with that! That is what the main point is here.

disneychick--- not everyone has good results with a breast pump. It would take me all day to pump what she nurses in five minutes--educate yourself.

Answer 1

Grrr... i found something for you but I cannot attach it (I tried to on e-mail too but it won't work). It does vary state-to-state- some may exempt you, others may allow you to bring your child and then others may just tell you to suck it up. The good thing is that more and more are coming around to realize the necessity so I hope Michigan is good to you.
Good luck.

Edit:
I found another link you might enjoy...
http://www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.org/
More searching brought me to this:
http://www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.org/JuryStates/JuryStates_files/page0012.htm
I also found out I'm exempt in MA, too. I did not know this a year ago when I was called to serve. Luckily my panel was cancelled because my husband could only take a day or two off for it, tops.

Edit again:
Unfortunately many people think that we are using our kids to cop out of jury duty. I'm willing to serve but unlike working folks, I'm not compensated for my time, nor am I compensated for expensive or questionable childcare while I'm being removed from my duties at home. This is the reality and it is not fair to judge that way.

Answer 2

I would see if you could be excused from jury duty because this can be considered a family medical reason. I think that if you explain your situation, you will encounter understanding especially if the person you are speaking with has kids. I think if you look on your jury summons there should be a number you can call if you have questions.

Answer 3

In some states, breastfeeding is reason enough to be excused. But most states allow a deferral for up to a year for any reason. So what you should do is call them and let them know that you would like to postpone your service until later in the year.

You have every right to breastfeed your baby at 16 months....I'm sorry you (and I both) live in states where jury duty takes priority over feeding one's child.

If all else fails, bring your daughter and explain to the judge that if they want to keep you there, you will need to nurse during the times you regularly nurse.

I myself was called to jury duty when I will be 8 months pregnant. I will tell them that I will be glad to serve, so long as they don't mind my frequent restroom breaks. They can't make me sit there and pee myself.

You do what you have to do.

Answer 4

I doubt you'll have any problems. No court is going to force you to stop breastfeeding your baby. I doubt you need to have any supporting documentation other that a note from your doctor confirming that you are breastfeeding. Also being the baby's main caregiver will exclude you. Since most people realize that "breast is best for baby", the the only reasonable alternative would be for you to bring the baby with you to court. I think you'll be excused fairly quickly. When they issue a call to jury duty, there are often hundreds of people who will receive notice. This is so that the courts can compile a list of potential jurors for the next several months to a year. So don't be stressed - you'll have no problem with this.

Answer 5

http://www.lalecheleague.org/Law/Bills6.html here's a tidbit from LLL, I hope you can get figured something out! Maybe contact your local LLL since they do know the importance of a toddler breastfeeding. I think some states will let you get out of it if you have a child under a certain age. Good luck!
Ladies, the world health organization recommends breastfeeding for two years. The world average is 5 years. Stop being prudes, dang!

Answer 6

Michigan passed a bill exempting nursing mothers from Jury Duty. A letter from your physician or pediatrician should suffice and does not need to apologize, talk about trauma or whether or not your daughter can or should use a cup or bottle. You're nursing and exempt. Period.

Answer 7

I too got a summons for jury duty while bresastfeading my 18 month old. They excused me after I sent a written note back explaining my situation. They again sent me a nother summons 6 months later and I again sent them a note that I was the only one able yo care for my child. They excused me both times.

Answer 8

Contact your local La Leche League Leader. She should be able to help you and may be able to get you in contact with other moms who have been through this. Check out the legal section of the LLL site as well. You should be able to get out of it.......even if you were just a SAHM with no one else to watch your child, you can usually get postponed for a year. Good luck!

Answer 9

I highly doubt they will excuse you to nurse a child as old as yours. I could see maybe if she was still an infant, but I have a feeling they will tell you she has other nutrition sources besides you at this point, plus there are things called breast pumps nowadays that come in quite handy for this kind of situation. You will not suffer any trauma, nor will your daughter.


Just because I choose not to buy into the whole idea that breastfeeding has benefits past the age of one, does not mean that I need to educate myself. I have read studies, I know what the "experts" say, I don't agree with it. You said yourself that it's basically a comfort for your daughter at this point, not nutritional since she can and will eat food from other sources besides yourself. I think it's sad that breastfeeding is the main, if not the only, way that your child feels comfort or connection to you. So since you felt the need to make a blanket statement about me needing to educate myself, here's one for you... maybe you need to spend a little more time as a teacher, as an entertainer, as an example for your daughter instead of just a friendly voice with boobs.

Answer 10

I'd be surprised if they excuse you. By that age, a child no longer needs breastmilk for nutrition so it might not been seen as a valid excuse. You might be able to get out of it if you were to be interviewed by the lawyers and state you have no other care available for the child though.

I don't know where you live but where I am, if you are asked to report, you HAVE to report and if you are lucky, you will excused after that one day. Most people that report are not asked to be on a jury (except for me of course who has served on 2 juries and just got called for it again! LOL)

I really suggest that you teach the child to feed from a bottle or cup in this case if indeed you have to go. It will have to happen eventually anyway.