Juror Questionnaire

[captaincrab55]

I don't see celiac as an excuse to avoid jury duty.

richard

That's a Great Opinion, but there are facts that some people may have on-going issues!!... I've been called multiple times for Jury Duty and even served on the Grand Jury.... I suffered undiagnosed during each event... Being recently diagnosed, I see Dermatitis Herpetiformis & celiac disease as my out... I've served my time...

Keep in mind that I have over 50 years of celiac disease damage to my body and I plan to remove as much stress from my life as I can.. Jury Duty is nothing but stress to me, so bye to J D for me.....

[lovegrov]

That's a Great Opinion, but there are facts that some people may have on-going issues!!... I've been called multiple times for Jury Duty and even served on the Grand Jury.... I suffered undiagnosed during each event... Being recently diagnosed, I see Dermatitis Herpetiformis & celiac disease as my out... I've served my time...

Keep in mind that I have over 50 years of celiac disease damage to my body and I plan to remove as much stress from my life as I can.. Jury Duty is nothing but stress to me, so bye to J D for me.....

And I was undiagnosed for 46 years. My opinion remains the same.

richard

[tarnalberry]

Assumptions:

1) you have to have been diagnosed as a celiac to claim celiac as a reason to avoid jury duty. But if this is the case, you should be on a gluten free diet, and hence the celiac itself is no longer 'active', and not a reason to avoid jury duty. (exception for recent - within ~3-6month - diagnosis, of course).

2) previously undiagnosed celiac, active for long periods of time, cause other issues that are a reason to avoid jury duty. But if this is the case, it's not celiac disease itself that is preventing you, it's the other issues. Yes, you can argue root cause, but it kind of obscures the matter. If you're taking St. John's Wort (and hence should be avoiding excessive sun exposure) due to mild depression, you don't say that it's the depression that requires you to avoid the sun but rather the drug itself, despite the depression being the root cause.

I'm with richard on this one - celiac, itself, is not a good reason in the vast majority of cases. Perhaps there is another reason, and perhaps it is related, but I think clarity is very important in that case.

[ENF]

I do not understand how people without Celiac Disease, and even some who do have it, can say that anybody with Celiac, regardless of dietary changes, should not be exempted. My gastroenterologist, a graduate of John Hopkins University School of Medicine, believes that I should not be required to perform further jury duty service, and the courts agreed - so the jury has spoken.

Edited 4:23 PM

[tarnalberry]

I do not understand how people without Celiac Disease, and even some who do have it, can say that anybody with Celiac, regardless of dietary changes, should not be exempted. My gastroenterologist, a graduate of John Hopkins University School of Medicine, believes that I should not be required to perform further jury duty service, and the courts agreed - so the jury has spoken.

Edited 4:23 PM

On what basis? I'm not trying to argue, I simply don't understand. Just like going to work - you bring your own food, you don't eat gluten, and you're fine. Assuming that you've had time to recover since diagnosis and there are not *other* complicating factors (like, significant neuropathy from the celiac that impares every day function), what could possibly stop someone from sitting in a jury room and listening to evidence. Stress? There is as much stress in your life as you choose, and staying out of a jury room won't keep stress away. Access to the bathroom? Again, once you're established on the diet, there shouldn't be any more need for more frequent restroom breaks than anyone else.

Do we exempt those with rheumatoid arthritis, when they are in remission? Do we exempt those with heart disease or high blood pressure? Do we exempt the pregnant? I can see *more* reason to be exempted for pregnancy (which I am going through right now), than for treated celiac.

So, why? Help me understand what makes treated celiacs so different from the "average" population when it comes to jury duty.

[ENF]

On what basis? I'm not trying to argue, I simply don't understand. Just like going to work - you bring your own food, you don't eat gluten, and you're fine. Assuming that you've had time to recover since diagnosis and there are not *other* complicating factors (like, significant neuropathy from the celiac that impares every day function), what could possibly stop someone from sitting in a jury room and listening to evidence. Stress? There is as much stress in your life as you choose, and staying out of a jury room won't keep stress away. Access to the bathroom? Again, once you're established on the diet, there shouldn't be any more need for more frequent restroom breaks than anyone else.

Do we exempt those with rheumatoid arthritis, when they are in remission? Do we exempt those with heart disease or high blood pressure? Do we exempt the pregnant? I can see *more* reason to be exempted for pregnancy (which I am going through right now), than for treated celiac.

So, why? Help me understand what makes treated celiacs so different from the "average" population when it comes to jury duty.

They do not want to stop the trail because a juror has to go to the bathroom. I couldn't work at a job where I didn't have access to a bathroom whenever I needed it, either.

Everybody is different, and I am only speaking for myself as a long-term Celiac. Although I am 100 percent gluten free, my digestive system is not completely healed - and from what I understand, at my age, it may never be.

It is not true that "once you're established on the diet there shouldn't be any more need for more frequent restroom breaks than anyone else". Stress can cause my compromised digestive system to go crazy and I have D much more frequently than the average person.

I explained to the person in charge of the juror exemptions that I may have to leave the court in the middle of a trial to go to the bathroom and she agreed that it would be best to let me off.

The bottom line is the court officer whom I gave the doctor's letter to did not bat an eye and removed me from the pool of jurors indefinitely. While I was talking to her, she said that she was familiar with Celiac Disease.

It's only jury duty, and there are plenty of people who are willing to do it - especially in this economy when the unemployed could use the extra money that is paid to jurors.

Pregnancy is temporary and, at least in New York State, you could get postponements so you don't have to serve until you are ready. My condition is permanent.

[tarnalberry]

ENF, that's true of your particular case. And I don't dispute the fact that there can be additional issues. I absolutely do not argue your personal circumstances.

Your response hasn't stated why, as a matter of course, an average treated celiac is so much more disabled than an average person (who also may have their own special reasons for exception). That is what your GI is implying - the average treated celiac is at a physical disadvantage. Are there some that are? Sure. But on average, assume that all are? That seems... well, a pretty absurd assumption.

So, I still ask, why does your GI think that ANY RANDOM treated celiac should be excused?

[ENF]

ENF, that's true of your particular case. And I don't dispute the fact that there can be additional issues. I absolutely do not argue your personal circumstances.

Your response hasn't stated why, as a matter of course, an average treated celiac is so much more disabled than an average person (who also may have their own special reasons for exception). That is what your GI is implying - the average treated celiac is at a physical disadvantage. Are there some that are? Sure. But on average, assume that all are? That seems... well, a pretty absurd assumption.

So, I still ask, why does your GI think that ANY RANDOM treated celiac should be excused?

Where did I say that my GI thinks that "ANY RANDOM treated celiac should be excused"? Those were not my words, nor his, and I made it clear that I was speaking for myself about my particular situation - although other people with Celiac have similar symptoms to mine and have been excused from serving, and my doctor's note did NOT say "my patient has Celiac, and should be excused." It was much more detailed than that, and it was the truth.

This is New York City, with very serious court cases - not trials to determine if Otis Campbell ran over Thelma Lou's turkey with his pickup truck. They need people that are capable of sitting through long hearings, for very important issues.

[psawyer]

This is New York City, with very serious court cases - not trails to determine if Otis Campbell ran over Thelma Lou's turkey with his pickup truck. They need people that are capable of sitting through long hearings, for very important issues.

Let's keep to the original question and not cast doubt on people based on where they may live.

[tarnalberry]

your original post, before it was edited, said "my GI ... believes that celiacs should not be required...". So, in the wording as you originally had it, most definitely could imply the average celiac. that's why I asked.

thank you for the clarification.

[captaincrab55]

And I was undiagnosed for 46 years. My opinion remains the same.

richard

It's Great that you have an opinion... In my case, DH is a factor too. My Doctor feels that I don't need any added stress that could contribute to a DH outbreak... Not to be dis-respectable, in my case it's Doctors orders over opinion.

btw, It was my Doctor's idea/orders that I pass on jury duty in the future...

[ENF]

your original post, before it was edited, said "my GI ... believes that celiacs should not be required...". So, in the wording as you originally had it, most definitely could imply the average celiac. that's why I asked.

thank you for the clarification.

You should have hit "quote" when you replied to the posting of mine with the alleged edit - without evidence a jury won't believe you.

J/K

[mommida]

I served on jury duty this summer. People are excused for MANY different reasons.

My gluten free diet was not an issue. It can be very stressfull. (the case was felony assault with intent to murder and commission of a felony with a firearm)

One woman admitted to having a bladder problem and was kept on the jury. The judge explained he will wait for the needs of any person in his courtroom. She raised her hand and we waited if she had to run by herself and sometimes we were just set to break time. It was four days.

If I started telling details, you would think I was starting to tell a lame joke. The saddest thing, two people were willing to fight to the death over a cell phone.

[JNBunnie1]

I served on jury duty this summer. People are excused for MANY different reasons.

My gluten free diet was not an issue. It can be very stressfull. (the case was felony assault with intent to murder and commission of a felony with a firearm)

One woman admitted to having a bladder problem and was kept on the jury. The judge explained he will wait for the needs of any person in his courtroom. She raised her hand and we waited if she had to run by herself and sometimes we were just set to break time. It was four days.

If I started telling details, you would think I was starting to tell a lame joke. The saddest thing, two people were willing to fight to the death over a cell phone.

See, I've always wanted to do jury duty, I kinda think it would be fun, but I've always worried about the fact that though I've been gluten free for a few years, I still have occasional unexpected, unprovoked, URGENT gastrointestinal issues that are not gluten provoked. I purposely work a job where I can step away at any time to do what I need to do, happened tonight actually. So if a judge were to be okay with my getting up and hauling as* out of the courtroom on a random basis, sure I could serve, but if not, then they wouldn't have me serve I guess. I've never even made it to jury selection, they always cancel the night before.

I guess I don't understand why people get so uptight about questions about jury duty, of all the topics brought up on this board, this is definitely the most hotly contested and the one people stop being nice about the fastest. I mean, people ask about going on disability and peope are nice about that, but we can't be nice about jury duty?

[heatherjane]

I guess I don't understand why people get so uptight about questions about jury duty, of all the topics brought up on this board, this is definitely the most hotly contested and the one people stop being nice about the fastest. I mean, people ask about going on disability and peope are nice about that, but we can't be nice about jury duty?

I agree with you. I'm wondering if it's partly because some people are just trying to find excuses to get out of serving. (I'm honestly not pointing fingers here, just making a general observation. I'm sure some people have legitimate reasons for requesting exemption.) When I served in a jury pool about a month ago, so many of my fellow jurors did nothing but complain and lament about having to come in everyday. If they were called to be on an actual trial, the complaining got worse. People like that amaze and disappoint me. What a great honor and privilege we have as Americans to be able to be a part of the judicial process as ordinary citizens! How many other countries allow that? I will gladly serve again if I'm called.

[ENF]

My advice, to anybody with Celiac related problems that make jury duty very difficult, is to see your doctor and get a letter as soon as you receive a jury duty summons. The doctor should explain why he/she does not recommend that you serve on jury duty, mentioning whatever complications there are in your particular case, and of course the need for a strict 100% gluten free diet at all times. It should be addressed to the County Clerk. Once you have the doctor's letter, don't wait for the day you're supposed to start serving - call the court offices right away, find out who handles medical exemptions, speak with him or her, and bring your doctor's letter to the office in person. After dropping it off be sure to thank whoever helped you, and leave them with a good impression of Celiac people!

[luvthelake21]

I agree with you ENF, Celiac could keep you from serving on a jury duty. My husband who has been totally glutin free for over three years would not do well on a jury duty due to brain fog he can

not rember info from day to day.

[ENF]

I agree with you ENF, Celiac could keep you from serving on a jury duty. My husband who has been totally glutin free for over three years would not do well on a jury duty due to brain fog he can

not rember info from day to day.

Thank you.

My wife says that she noticed, when she first knew me, even though she thought that I was very intelligent (her words, lol), I often couldn't follow the plots of movies we went to or rented. How am I supposed to follow a trial, which is far more intricate than two hours of entertainment that is specifically designed to hold your interest? If that isn't bad enough, there's other complications that are distracting, and worse.

[Gemini]

My advice, to anybody with Celiac related problems that make jury duty very difficult, is to see your doctor and get a letter as soon as you receive a jury duty summons. The doctor should explain why he/she does not recommend that you serve on jury duty, mentioning whatever complications there are in your particular case, and of course the need for a strict 100% gluten free diet at all times. It should be addressed to the County Clerk. Once you have the doctor's letter, don't wait for the day you're supposed to start serving - call the court offices right away, find out who handles medical exemptions, speak with him or her, and bring your doctor's letter to the office in person. After dropping it off be sure to thank whoever helped you, and leave them with a good impression of Celiac people!

OK...I cannot resist.....it would be far easier to just serve as a potential juror than to have to do all of this to be excused!

[ENF]

When I served on Jury Duty, and Grand Juries, I had extreme brain fog and couldn't follow the cases. I just went along with whatever most of the people decided. Fortunately, since my diagnosis, the Courts and GI doctors did not think that Celiac symptoms are a ruse to get out of jury duty, as some people apparently do, and have excused me for life in the state where I live.

If I am ever forced to serve again, and my brain fog is still not gone, I will have to do the same thing, while serving, as I did before diagnosis. Sorry if I happen to convict innocent people, and set murderers and other violent criminals free, but that's the will of the people, and the American Way.

[jerseyangel]

OK...I cannot resist.....it would be far easier to just serve as a potential juror than to have to do all of this to be excused!

Ya know--my son was got a summons in the mail a couple of years ago. He called the night before each of the three nights he was so serve and each time, they didn't require his services. It seems that in Jersey, at least, they send a summons to many, many more people than they think they'll need. I'm sure they are used to dealing with situations where folks can't serve for lots of different reasons.

It's hard to generalize about something like this

[ENF]

.........It's hard to generalize about something like this

Maybe it's hard for you and I, but.........

It's best left unsaid.

[Gemini]

Maybe it's hard for you and I, but.........

It's best left unsaid.

I don't think anyone here that offered their opinion were generalizing at all. I think there was genuine interest as to why a Celiac thought they couldn't do jury duty because they have Celiac disease. For the vast majority of people, even those like myself who were deathly ill at the time of diagnosis, once recovery has happened, like to feel they are as capable as anyone else to serve. I am sure there is a small minority who do not recover as well and have on-going problems over which they have no control.

I also have on-going problems from the other autoimmune diseases I acquired along the way but they are manageable. As long as courts allow people to bring their own food in, I am set to go.

My one and only complaint about serving is that the court is not even close to where I live so I have to get up before the birds to get there on time. Apparently court people are morning people......

[ENF]

Everybody is entitled to an opinion. There's been a cut-and-dry "Celiac is no excuse" response or two, on this and other previous threads about Jury Duty and Celiac, and fortunately the courts and doctors usually don't agree with this.

I'd rather discuss issues like brain fog, which can present major problems for jurors who've had Celiac Disease, as well as continuing digestive, neurological, and other issues which are detrimental to people serving on juries.

[ang1e0251]

I think we can all agree that each of us has individual reactions and unique ongoing problems or lack thereof. This discussion has become remeniscient of other threads like super-sensitives where some seem to be saying you can't be reacting to everything or casting doubts on individuals' abilities to judge their own well being.

Some of us have been to dr's who treated us this way, telling us our illness is "all in our heads" or not believing our very real symptoms. Some of us have family members who belittle the way we must live. This is a very painful way to be treated. Please, let's not treat fellow members with this mentality. Let's be able to discuss any subject without prejudging a poster's symptoms or motives.

As a group, I'm always proud that we try to discuss without personal attacks and support others even when their outlook seems out of line with the majority. That's what keeps me coming back and willing to support others even when I know I don't have as much knowledge as some.