Submitted by kelseyelizabetht t3_124w6cz in baltimore
I got a jury summons for Baltimore today for this Friday. Awesome timing. Luckily was able to reschedule for this summer but I plan to still be breastfeeding by then. Anyone have any experience with this? Will they give any accommodations?
Interesting, I called a few weeks ago and they only gave me a deferment that was up to 6 months after birth (sounds similar to what OP got). They literally scheduled my jury duty for the first business day after my baby turns six months š.
Would love to know what the pumping setup is like in the court house.
Call them back a week before your next date and say, "Sorry, kid's still nursing." If they say, "Tough, come anyway," say, "Sure, I'll bring the kid and just whip it out during voir die."
I def plan on calling back and asking for details, on the one year deferment or if not, then where can I pump!
I hope we can get one year! I submitted a note and my childās birth certificate to get the 6m deferment. When I initially called I asked about getting longer than 6m and the person wasnāt that helpful, but thatās usually the case for court staff.
Just another example of how BF isnāt supported in this country š«.
Sadly there is a pumping room so they wonāt defer you longer than 6 months. The shitty part is you have to go ask for a key and then hope itās not occupied. Also, I have no idea the condition of the room. A coworker dealt with this recently. I feel someone with young kids you should be exempt from jury duty if you have any child under school age.
Thank you!!
The circuit courthouse has lactation rooms, my daughter used the room when she had jury duty, she said it was a standard room with a recliner and refrigerator, she took her cooler bag instead of leaving her milk unattended. You can call to reserve a room for when you have jury duty.
My wife had to pump in the court house.
Our ped wrote a note stating that my baby doesnāt take a bottle and therefore canāt be separated from me (which is the truth).
When I had jury duty a few years ago, they told I could fax in the birth certificate and Iād be excused. It sounded like it was not just the first six months but it might be different if thereās a lactation room now.
They gave me a 1-year deferment, they just needed me to send in a copy of the birth certificate.
When was this?? They only gave me 6mo but if they are giving others a year then Iām going to call again.
The summons date was in Oct 2021, and they didn't call me again until late 2022.
My experience was years ago; the breastfed child in question is now in his forties. They weren't too keen on giving me the time, but I eventually did get a deferment. I threatened to have somebody bring him to me. I'm glad they seem to have joined the real world.
jabbadarth t1_je1b9a6 wrote
Looks like you can get a 1 year deferment.
https://www.juryduty101.com/states/maryland/jury-duty-excuses#:~:text=Maryland%20has%20a%20list%20of,for%20jury%20duty%20in%20MD.
I think your best bet would be to just call and ask the clerk.