Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
A
Animals45 Asked August 2020

I am wondering if someone could tell me how to get out of a jury duty summons. I care for my mom who can't be left alone for long.

She has stage IV ovarian cancer.

JoAnn29 Aug 2020
All I did was have Moms doctor write a note. All it said was that I would not be able to serve because I was sole Caregiver for his patent who suffered from Dementia. I enclosed that letter with the form and sent them back. I was excused.

Like Glad said, Courts should be closed for COVID.

gladimhere Aug 2020
When I was caring for mom there was an option to simply notify the court if you were responsible for the care of another. I did not need a doctor's note. But, the first time only suspended the jury duty for six months, but then was not called again.

In my state all jury trials have been discontinued due to covid, but the summons continue to be sent. Have you checked the court website or called to find out the status of jury trials?

ADVERTISEMENT


GardenArtist Aug 2020
When I was called for jury duty, there was an opportunity to advise the clerk of reasons why jury service would be a hardship.   It's been years, but best recollection is that you completed a questionnaire and returned it.

If that's not the situation, call the clerk of the court for the county and ask how to be excused b/c of medical obligations to your parent who is dependent on you.  If you get any flack, gently ask how to arrange for a wheelchair to be available as you'll have to bring your mother with you, and she can't be left alone, needs a wheelchair to navigate and would need other special accommodations if you're selected, to include someone to stay with her while you're sitting in the courtroom.  

If you're still getting flack, explain that she has stage 4 cancer and her oncologist has advised that she needs consistent care, almost 24/7.

I doubt if it goes that far though; my experience has been that there are so many selected from available jurors that it's easy to excuse someone for a good reason.

AlvaDeer Aug 2020
Your Mother's doctor can write an excuse for you. Send that in to the address on the form. Follow the instructions on your form. Your own doctor should even be able to write you a form letter. These are simple and all doctors have them. Basically it just is a trusted entity saying you cannot serve and why. I got out of it for years by sending a letter saying I had IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), which at the time was true. Said I would love to serve on a jury but got claustrophobic in enforced circumstances where I could not leave, and the judge would need to know I might have to go to the bathroom multiple times on any given day. They just sent back an excused notice. Don't know if that would work, but do know that claustrophobia, bad back and etc. letters do work. Not sure how your caregiver excuse would work.
Is there a number to call to ask them what they need to excuse you? If not, just ask your Mom's doc for a letter; start there. Send that in.
GardenArtist Aug 2020
Alva,  "multiple bathroom trips"  - love it!    Great approach.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter