CactusCandles OP t1_jc36m04 wrote on March 13, 2023 at 6:31 PM

Reply to comment by jbug671 in Does a 12 week old baby qualify as an excuse from jury duty? by CactusCandles

I’m honestly baffled by the email conversation I had. You would think I’m trying to get out of it for a stubbed toe with the responses I got from them!

tuckeram7 t1_jc38h13 wrote on March 13, 2023 at 6:43 PM

Can you give more details about the conversation? I don’t understand how they expect you to do this. I was 9months pregnant and got a summons. I was planning on mailing back my excuse with the box checked for breastfeeding mother, but went into labor before mailing it back so I missed the window to mail it. When I went home, I mailed it and was excused. I honestly wanted to be a juror but not with a baby! It’s not for lack of place to pump either. It’s the trying to breastfeed on baby’s schedule, not the court’s. Clearly this person you had to interact with is not a parent.

CactusCandles OP t1_jc3cqr9 wrote on March 13, 2023 at 7:10 PM

Here’s a synopsis: Me: hey I have a newborn that I’m nursing and no childcare.
Ejuror: you can pump here. M: is there childcare? Ej: no, find your own. M: here’s what it says on the court’s website about not having childcare. Ej: that doesn’t apply to you. Being single and unemployed does not count for exemption. M: what? I’m asking to be excused because I’m breastfeeding a baby?

And that’s where I’m at so far

tuckeram7 t1_jc3dfm7 wrote on March 13, 2023 at 7:15 PM

Yeah, sounds like they are missing the whole point. You’re not looking for childcare. You’re breastfeeding your baby, not pumping. End discussion. I really hope you hear back some good news. You don’t need added stress right now. Honestly, breastfeeding is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’d rather have labor 10 times again in place of the stresses of breastfeeding. (And my labor was 21hrs long)

rovinchick t1_jc6fdd1 wrote on March 14, 2023 at 11:49 AM

FWIW, until just a couple of years ago federal employees got no maternity leave (only whatever sick time you managed to save up), so many of those court employees were back at work at 10-12 weeks and pumping. While it's super hard, it's not impossible, but I truly sympathize with the OP on the childcare front.

AskMoreQuestionsOk t1_jc485w3 wrote on March 13, 2023 at 10:37 PM

‘I’m nursing a newborn and the baby doesn’t take a bottle yet. Can I put this off 6 months?‘

internetonsetadd t1_jc3oh0z wrote on March 13, 2023 at 8:25 PM

I got excused from jury duty in Norristown over email pretty easily. Federal Court in Philly? Medical documentation stating a diagnosis wasn't good enough. Had to schlep downtown to sit for former Congressman Fattah's jury selection. There I answered the questionnaire honestly, restating the health issue and why it would make it difficult to sit all day and focus on a trial. I was excused after lunch.

It was interesting to witness the process and it honestly would have been incredible to be on a jury for a political corruption case. I made the best of the day and got a DiNic's roast pork.

Based on my experience they do not give a shit about your problems. I agree with other suggestions to tell them you have no choice but to bring the baby. They do not want a baby there.