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How Does Jury Duty Work?

floridanative

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floridanative Community Regular
floridanative
Posted

So I've lived in GA for 20 years off and on and have never beened called to serve on Jury duty. Until last week that is. My summons is for week after next so I sent a letter along with my registration that noted my need for access to a refridgerator. I can assure you my county can NOT feed me a safe gluten free meal. Has anyone ever had jury duty after your Celiac dx and if so, what was your experience? I'm hoping since I have State Farm ins. they will tell me I'm not needed as that was on the questionaire for some reason so State Farm must be involved in the suit, right? I'm not shirking my civic duties but I'm honestly concerned about eating safely if I'm called to serve. I guess on the first day I'll take something to eat that does not require refridgeration. The note said to plan to spend most of the day for the actual jury selection process, even if I end up not getting picked. Gosh this gluten free thing keeps you on your toes, that's for sure.

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dlp252 Apprentice
dlp252
Posted

I haven't been called since finding out about my gluten/dairy intolerance, but the first time I was called and actually picked as an alternate for a jury, I had bronchitis and work for a law firm but they wouldn't excuse me for that, lol. They did give us breaks and an hour (sometimes more) for lunch where we could actually leave the building. At the time I brought a cooler with me and left it in the trunk of my car and went out there to eat. The second time was just last year and fortunately was not seated on the jury and actually didn't have to go in until after I'd eaten, so that wasn't a problem. Taking non-refrigerated stuff with you is an excellent idea...you could be sitting there for a long while.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Chances are you won't be able to get out of it for that. Time to get a little cooler and pack a lunch. It'll stay cold for half a day easily, if not the whole day, if you put an ice pack in it. (I use a soft sided cooler that looks like a regular lunch box, rather than a larger, hard cooler.)

floridanative Community Regular
floridanative
Posted
  • Author

Well I sell promotional products for a living so I probably have over 20 various coolers of all types. I do own my own business and have no one to run it when I'm out but I guess they don't care about that either. At least Aug. is my dead time for work.

dlp252 Apprentice
dlp252
Posted
Well I sell promotional products for a living so I probably have over 20 various coolers of all types. I do own my own business and have no one to run it when I'm out but I guess they don't care about that either. At least Aug. is my dead time for work.

They might! I know our judge was very strict and wasn't excusing for much, but if I remember correctly that was one of the things he did excuse for.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted
Well I sell promotional products for a living so I probably have over 20 various coolers of all types. I do own my own business and have no one to run it when I'm out but I guess they don't care about that either. At least Aug. is my dead time for work.

*That* is a different ball of wax, and they *may* give you an exception for that. I've seen them not give exceptions for that, but sometimes they do. It is worth bringing up, as a financial hardship.

elonwy Enthusiast
elonwy
Posted

Some states still allow you to be excused if you work from home. California, at least LA County, does not allow that anymore, since almost everyone in the film industry is self-employed. There should be explanations on what is excusable on your jury form, and bag lunch is definitly the way to go. Had mine last June. Got picked the first day but the settled the second so wasn't bad.

Elonwy

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jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I've been summoned for jury duty 3 times in the 10 years that I've lived here! All before I was diagnosed--but that last time, especially, I wasn't feeling very well. (The 3rd time was within 3 years of the 2nd time, so I didn't have to go) :blink:

I always packed my lunch and left it in the car. I went out on the break, listened to the radio and ate in peace.

My son (21) has to serve for the first time next week! He's not looking forward to it, I actually didn't mind going--it was interesting. Of course there is a lot of waiting around, too.

Tiffany, I would call and explain your working situation to them--can't hurt. :)

floridanative Community Regular
floridanative
Posted
  • Author

There is no phone number to call them BUT Gwinnettt Co. sent me a letter stating that indeed they can NOT feed me lunch (like they do other jurors) so I should bring my own food and I can use their fridge to store it. Maybe the work card will work for me next week when I show up with my business license.

mouse Enthusiast
mouse
Posted

I got called for jury duty about 3 weeks ago. My doctor faxed in a RX that I could not serve because of Celaic Disease. They honored it, which was great. I was still recovering big time from the pneumonia and was using oxygen and the nebulizer to try and lesson the wheezing. I also have scoliosis big time in the spine and I really don't sit for long periods of time. They really would not want me on a jury as my squirming would be very desruptive.

kimjoy24 Apprentice
kimjoy24
Posted

I had jury duty recently myself at the Fulton County courthouse. I've been called three times in my nine years of living here in Atlanta, but I've never actually been picked for a jury. This most recent visit was no different. I brought along a gluten-free energy bar for breakfast, and then a Thai Kitchen rice noodle bowl for lunch. The courthouse I was at had a cafe that the jurors could use so I went and used their hot water/microwave to make my lunch. Luckily, I didn't get picked for a jury because that routine would get real old real quick.

My main beef would be not being able to use the restroom when nature calls. That is so important for us living with this condition. Also, I find routine is important for my overall well-being and so something like jury duty when I would be at the mercy of a judge to tell me when I could come and go would no doubt throw off my entire rhythm, including my digestive system.

floridanative Community Regular
floridanative
Posted
  • Author

Well I had my first day of jury duty today and it was ridiculous (very inefficient system IMHO). I was in the very last group called in for a pool to choose a jury and they kept us until almost 1 pm without a lunch break. When we got a 10 minute break before they announced the jury picked I scarfed down some Ener-G pretzels. Then when I did not get picked, I was able to rush home and have lunch. I have to call every night through Thurs. to see if I have to go back up through Friday. Oh and they didn't give a hoot that about 25% of us were self employed, which I already expected but still I had my business license in tow just in case.

Guest Educator
Guest Educator
Posted
So I've lived in GA for 20 years off and on and have never beened called to serve on Jury duty. Until last week that is. My summons is for week after next so I sent a letter along with my registration that noted my need for access to a refridgerator. I can assure you my county can NOT feed me a safe gluten free meal. Has anyone ever had jury duty after your Celiac dx and if so, what was your experience? I'm hoping since I have State Farm ins. they will tell me I'm not needed as that was on the questionaire for some reason so State Farm must be involved in the suit, right? I'm not shirking my civic duties but I'm honestly concerned about eating safely if I'm called to serve. I guess on the first day I'll take something to eat that does not require refridgeration. The note said to plan to spend most of the day for the actual jury selection process, even if I end up not getting picked. Gosh this gluten free thing keeps you on your toes, that's for sure.

When I was called for jury duty, I went to the courthouse and asked for an excused form and filled it out with all of my medical conditions. That was 5 years ago and they have never called me again. I think I KO'd them with my medical complications.

aaascr Apprentice
aaascr
Posted

I was excused from Gwinnett Co. jury duty, but I couldn't get

out of Federal jury duty (downtown Atlanta). I told them I

had to bring my food, beverages and inhaler with me and I had 2 doctor

notes to support my claims.

I also asked if there was a microwave available.

The 1st day (selection day) was not a good one - I had to eat

my cooked veggies cold, etc. but I had my food with me and basically

ate it whenever as long as I wasn't in the courtroom.

But after I was assigned to a jury, no

more worries, we had a great officer (guard) and things went well

after that. The breaks were enough so that we could eat a snack

prior to lunch and have one afterwards as well.

Hope it goes well for you!

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