SAHM's: What do you do when you get summoned for jury duty?

I would say the truth- I have kids, I don't have childcare, and I'm a single mom mon-fri. Just can't do it. Sorry.

I just got summoned for jury duty at the end of March. I also have a nursing child. I called the jury manager the day before i was to go in and said that i'm a stay at home mom and that i had been looking for consistent childcare for the time the trial was going to be, but hadn't had any luck in finding anyone. He told me not to worry about it and that they had more than enough people to choose from.

I know here in Iowa, we're chosen for a 3 month period where we can called up for jury duty (I had January through March) and that we can only be chosen for that period once every 2 years, except in appeals cases. The laws may be different in your state.

I have been summoned twice in the past six years, one of which is coming up. The first time I got summoned, I went and there were about almost 100 people there. There were 3ncourt cases going on that day. They asked who wanted to do it and a bunch of people raised there hands so I got out of it. My mom almost got picked, but she said she had anxiety and nearly cried about it. When you show up they might pick you they might not. It depends on how many people they need, who wants to do it etc.. My dad who is over 50 has always wanted to do it but has never been picked.

Bring your kids and nursing baby. When they call your number, they'll see a posse of kids and a baby attached to the breast.

I'm sure that will be enough to convince them to let you go :)

* "You get a baby sitter and pump milk"

Oh the naive :)

Not all babies will take milk from a bottle. And she already stated she has no access to childcare. Many people think it's as simple as a few steps. Pump milk. Stick it in a bottle. Baby will take it... right?

Not to mention let's remember that a nursing mom's breasts reproduce milk constantly so mom is uncomfortable and full while sitting in a ridiculous setting for a trial that she doesn't want to be part of.

I like my idea better :)

I got called one time, got a sitter and figured I would be done in a day, maybe two. I was lucky enough to be chosen as an alternate on a capital murder trial....oy

my husband took off work. if he hadn't been able to do that, i'd have gotten a babysitter.

yes, it's terribly inconvenient, but jury duty is inconvenient for pretty much everyone, and excusing all parents would be a tremendous burden on the non-parents who'd have to take up the slack. while you do have to show up for jury selection, it's unlikely that you'd actually be chosen for a trial (at least not a lengthy one) if you explain your circumstances.

i understand that the nursing situation is particularly problematic, but there's still the option of pumping and bottle-feeding for the short period of jury selection.

*my state has a one day or one trial system, which isn't terribly arduous unless you get really unlucky in the particular trial you get assigned to.

Step 1. Get a sitter or your spouse to stay home for the day

Step 2. Be a complete pain in the rear if brought in and screened- eg. "Oh I am very prejudiced against any man who hits a woman/person who sells drugs/rapes"

Step 3. Off to the car you go, I can assure you will be let off!

Lol, but really... I just sucked it up and had my mom babysit for the day. I was stuck there literally alllll day and didn't even get called in for the screening. Bring a book.

I'm triple knocking on wood right now because I have never been summoned. My husband says one day they'll find me.

Bring your newborn, and see how fast they send you home lol.

You get a baby sitter and pump milk.