How Do I Get Out of Jury Duty??

Updated on April 30, 2008
B.B. asks from New York, NY
19 answers

Hi. I live in NYC and have been called for jury duty. I am not sure what I need to do in order to get dismissed. Because I have two children with no babysitter, it will be very hard for me to even get to the courthouse.

Does anyone know what I have to do?

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A.B.

answers from New York on

You need to call in advance, and I think the first time you want to be excused you don't have to go in--just call. They are very good about it when you go in, but I've never tried the phone in method. Take a look on the notice--I believe they specify a phone number to call in just this case.

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K.W.

answers from New York on

show up with the kids.
some one will tell you children are not allowed.
Explain to that person that you do not have a babysitter.
You will be dismissed.
I saw a woman do it with my own two eyes.

More Answers

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J.G.

answers from New York on

When you get to there they are going to ask if you have child care problems. And b/c you do you will be dismissed. I know b/c I just recently had jury duty and those were one of the reasons why you may be dismissed. Just be honest.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.M.

answers from New York on

If you are a stay at home mom you don't have to go to jury duty. There are instructions on the back of the jury summons that explain what you need to do. You basically need to write a letter to them stating that you are a stay at home mom and that you can't serve on a jury.

As far as I know you don't have to serve until your child is 16.

-T.

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K.R.

answers from New York on

Hi B.-
I was called to Jury Duty also. I am a stay at home mom to a 2year old. There should be a phone number on your jury notice to call. Tell them that you do not have anyone to watch your children to come in person. They may want you to mail a copy of your children's birth certificate proving their ages.
I have to do the same thing on Monday, so good luck.
K.

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E.W.

answers from New York on

If one of your children is under 2, you can get out automatically. i did it in person, but they told me i could have filed by mail or online. After that, the best you can do is request an extension. Say that you want "july 3rd" or as close to a major holiday as you can. No lawyer or judge will be starting a case on that day, so even if you get called down, you'll be dismissed right away.

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S.M.

answers from Glens Falls on

Hello,

I just wrote a letter to the court and let them know that I was the primary caregiver for my child. I don't know all of the rules, etc. but they cannot force you to come in. There is an exception for mothers. Hope this helps!

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C.D.

answers from New York on

When you return the form, send a letter with it saying that you are a full time mom with little to no childcare. You should be considered exempt for two years at which time you can do the same thing and get another two. i believe you are considered exempt if you are the full time caretaker of a child under the age of 6. If all else fails, bring your children with you to the courthouse and explain that you had no childcare. I'm sure you will be sent right home.

C.V.

answers from New York on

Hi B.,
I kno you can defenitly pospone jury duty for six months
By calling the number on the summons, this is what i did when i first got mine. After that they will send you another one where you would have to attend. Once thère they do ask if you cannot serve and why. Thère you can plead your case. But as far as not attending at all ever, i dont believe thats possible. So For now just pospone it. Hopefully six months down the line you will be in a better situation with the sitter issue.

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A.D.

answers from New York on

Hi B., They are pretty tough. There was a time (still should be) that you don't serve until your kids are 16. Photo copy birth certificates and send proof. If not, get in a cab with kids and say "here I am but my kids have to stay too"! good luck, Grandma Mary

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D.P.

answers from New York on

Hi B. just show up to jury duty with the kids and tell them you don't have childcare and they will excuse you and send you home. My sister did it she showed up with all three of her kids and she was excused and sent on her merry little way.

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P.S.

answers from New York on

If you are the primary caregiver for your children, you will be dismissed. It think you still need to show up, but if you don't have a sitter, I would just bring them with you. I had a friend that did this and they let her go right away. If you don't want to go through the trouble, try calling- maybe they can excuse you over the phone. Good luck!

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T.L.

answers from New York on

Hi B., I live in NY as well and recently received a noticed to appear for jury duty. There's a number you can call on the back of the jury card to postpone.

Ciao!
T.

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M.K.

answers from New York on

B.,

There is a number on your summons that you can call. Even if you have already postponed you are not expected to serve when you are a caregiver of small children or anyone for that matter. Call that number and they will tell you exactly what you need to send in (i.e. copies of birth certificates of your children, etc.) I literally just went through this a few weeks ago and was dismissed before I even had to serve. The woman who helped me was very annoyed that anyone had suggested I even needed to show up.

Also, when you call, make sure they do not insist you come into the office to show "proof". You can do this all by mail.

Best of luck!

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A.M.

answers from New York on

You can postpone it once by phone and then the next time you need to go to the courthouse. I had to do it and I just brought my daughter with me. Then the next time you get called you have to serve. I think they give you 4 years. Good luck!

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D.V.

answers from New York on

Hi, I was called for Jury Duty when my older son was still a young baby. All I had to let them know was that I am the primary caregiver to the children with no means of having a sitter. My husband was the main source of income and there would be no way he can take any indefinite days in case I was called to serve. I wrote a letter and sent it in, but did show up (with the baby) on the day they asked me to come in and made sure they had gotten it. They dismissed me with no problem and told me that being the caregiver it also gave me I believe it was another 5 years before they can ask me again to serve duty (at least my son is now 5 and I have not gotten a letter yet!). Good luck!

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J.G.

answers from New York on

When I first had my son and no babysitter, I wrote a letter, had it notorized and went to the court house and gave it in and told them just that. The man said that would probably be the only time that I could get away with that excuse. Prepare yourself.
J

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K.Y.

answers from New York on

Send a letter to the address on the back for excusal. Send a photocopy of your children's birth certs. and explain that your are their primary caretaker. You will be excused, no problem. I work part time and got excused. GL!

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E.S.

answers from New York on

Hello B.,

Being the primary caregiver of a child or children is good enough reason to, not have to do jury duty. There should be information where you can send your letter with your reason for not being able to participate on a jury at this time. Or you can call and ask where to send the letter. ASk if they need any other information.

Blessings~
E.~

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