Jury Duty

[Sweet Tea]

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I just got a summons for jury duty, and that's not exactly possible right now because I'm studying for Step 1 and, well, can't skip out on med school to go back to my home county for jury duty. Have any of you been summoned while in med school? Were you able to get out of it easily? My mom forgot to give me the number to call, so I won't be able to call until tomorrow. Bummer.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Law2Doc]

I just got a summons for jury duty, and that's not exactly possible right now because I'm studying for Step 1 and, well, can't skip out on med school to go back to my home county for jury duty. Have any of you been summoned while in med school? Were you able to get out of it easily? My mom forgot to give me the number to call, so I won't be able to call until tomorrow. Bummer.

Thanks in advance!

Jury duty rules are going to vary state by state, but I would think being out of the country/state for school is an accepted excuse in all states (although just being a med student per se in most states probably isn't).

 

[Sweet Tea]

Jury duty rules are going to vary state by state, but I would think being out of the country/state for school is an accepted excuse in all states (although just being a med student per se in most states probably isn't).

Hmmm...that's no good. I'm not out of state, I'm out of county; 2 hours away. I understand that laws vary from state to state, but do you think that b/c this could actually delay my graduation from school (delay step 1, delay my rotations, basically screw everything all to pieces), they'd let me out? I'm judging by your screenname that you would know more about this than I do.

 

[Dr. Donkey]

Just tell them that you think the legal system in this country sucks and that no one should be convicted of anything. That should get you off. If not start spouting off racial and ethnic slurs.

 

[Law2Doc]

Hmmm...that's no good. I'm not out of state, I'm out of county; 2 hours away. I understand that laws vary from state to state, but do you think that b/c this could actually delay my graduation from school (delay step 1, delay my rotations, basically screw everything all to pieces), they'd let me out? I'm judging by your screenname that you would know more about this than I do.

Sorry, I misread county as country. You can certainly call them and see if you can reschedule for a date after the boards if they won't let you out of it. I've certainly seen rescheduling be permitted (for weddings, etc.)

 

[Sweet Tea]

Just tell them that you think the legal system in this country sucks and that no one should be convicted of anything. That should get you off. If not start spouting off racial and ethnic slurs.

OOOOOOOOOO...I like this plan!! 😉

 

[Law2Doc]

OOOOOOOOOO...I like this plan!! 😉

That I'm sure works, but usually not until you've been seated on the jury -- meaning you still have to show up and wait till they call your name. You still have to show up on the given day and wait in the jury room.

 

[fun8stuff]

I have many friends who have been summoned for jury duty while in undergrad (only 1.25 -3 hrs away from home) and all were able to reschedule. My gf wrote a letter to reschedule in like Jan or Feb and she still hasnt heard back even. So perhaps, she got out of it... But, shouldn't be a problem if you make sure and write a letter explaining the cirucmstances.

 

[musiclink213]

I'm pretty sure you can get a student excuse to get out of it. I know that's what my sister did, she called them, got a letter from the school saying she was a full time student, and so she got it delayed. When she did go, it was during her break, and she shows up at the courthouse, and they ask everybody who was students, so a bunch of people raise their hands, and they get dismissed because they expected the case to go on for a long time. One shmuck decided not to say he was a student, but let htem know he was prelaw. He claimed they wouldn't take him because he knew too much about the legal system. He got stuck on a 3 month case.

You can also get out of it by saying you're personally involved in the case. Say if the case is about drunk driving, say you can't be impartial because you've been hit by a drunk driver, or a close friend of yours was killed by a drunk driver. My dad has used that approach before. And then collect your $40 and go home for the day.

 

[Sweet Tea]

Damn. I just called the clerk of court, and I either have to reschedule the jury duty for 6 mos from now (not possible, will be in rotations), or show up at the end of June (also not possible, will be starting rotations). Or, I have to get a new driver's license or an ID card. **** me I do not have time for this crap.

 

[Sweet Tea]

Actually, on second thought, the date they gave me is right after I take the boards. I'll show up, say "I start my third year of medical school in a week", and try to get out of it. This has to have happened before; there are 4 medical schools in the state and I've never heard of a M3 having to serve jury duty.

 

[marydee]

It depends on what type of jury duty you will be serving. Usually for the smaller, local county summons, they will excuse you if you are in school during the school year, but then will throw your name back into the pile to be called another date. But, if it's Federal Jury Duty you are summoned for .... the situation is very different. I have been summoned several times for my local county and since I went to school 400 miles from home, I was excused. But then I was summoned for Federal Jury Duty!! Did you know there was such a difference? No way would they let me out. I had to send in a letter from my undergrad and the court demanded I would come during my summer break. Absolutely no excuses. That means people who have "important" full-time jobs, own businesses, CEO's, whatever ..... no excuses. I was supposed to begin a very important grant-related research and was unable to get out of the Federal Jury Duty. Many people were counting on my time being put into the lab. It was such a headache. Plus, the Federal Jury summons was for the biggest city in my state which happened to be 100 miles away from home. Even my uncle who is a lawyer and knew my circumstances couldn't get me excused or released. They expected me to show every day ..... and yup, I was chosen for a 2 week jury. It was quite a learning situation since the case had to do with an injury. I learned alot about our judicial system and will NEVER be called again to serve on a Federal Jury. I understand one only has to serve once in a life-time for Federal Jury duty. I had never heard of anyone in my family, friends or anyone serving on a Federal Jury 100 miles away from their county. It was the biggest hassle of my life. But I did it and made it work out with lots of help from friends, family and patience on the part of my lab partners. Good luck and if it's Federal Jury Duty, at least go the first day and try to get out of it. Then your name will not go into the pile again. If you don't get let go, you could then apply for a deferral - but there will never be an easy time to serve. I kept telling myself that I was serving in a safe, clean, cozy jury room --- not Iraq. THAT put the situation into perspective real quick.

 

[Sweet Tea]

It depends on what type of jury duty you will be serving. Usually for the smaller, local county summons, they will excuse you if you are in school during the school year, but then will throw your name back into the pile to be called another date. But, if it's Federal Jury Duty you are summoned for .... the situation is very different. I have been summoned several times for my local county and since I went to school 400 miles from home, I was excused. But then I was summoned for Federal Jury Duty!! Did you know there was such a difference? No way would they let me out. I had to send in a letter from my undergrad and the court demanded I would come during my summer break. Absolutely no excuses. That means people who have "important" full-time jobs, own businesses, CEO's, whatever ..... no excuses. I was supposed to begin a very important grant-related research and was unable to get out of the Federal Jury Duty. Many people were counting on my time being put into the lab. It was such a headache. Plus, the Federal Jury summons was for the biggest city in my state which happened to be 100 miles away from home. Even my uncle who is a lawyer and knew my circumstances couldn't get me excused or released. They expected me to show every day ..... and yup, I was chosen for a 2 week jury. It was quite a learning situation since the case had to do with an injury. I learned alot about our judicial system and will NEVER be called again to serve on a Federal Jury. I understand one only has to serve once in a life-time for Federal Jury duty. I had never heard of anyone in my family, friends or anyone serving on a Federal Jury 100 miles away from their county. It was the biggest hassle of my life. But I did it and made it work out with lots of help from friends, family and patience on the part of my lab partners. Good luck and if it's Federal Jury Duty, at least go the first day and try to get out of it. Then your name will not go into the pile again. If you don't get let go, you could then apply for a deferral - but there will never be an easy time to serve. I kept telling myself that I was serving in a safe, clean, cozy jury room --- not Iraq. THAT put the situation into perspective real quick.

Fortunately, it's just a local country thing. Unfortunately, if they don't take being in medical school as sufficient reason to get out of jury duty, then I wouldn't start rotations on time and could possibly not graduate on time. That's not at all cool.

 

[EvoDevo]

Just tell them that you think the legal system in this country sucks and that no one should be convicted of anything. That should get you off. If not start spouting off racial and ethnic slurs.

Don't do this. I've been on Jury duty before, and if you say this in a blatant attempt to get out of the obligation, they *may* hit you with some sort of penalty. FYI.

 

[randomlogik]

I got summoned for jury duty earlier this year. I just brought the letter to my school office, and they gave me a nice form letter to mail in stating that I was going to be a full time student until 2007 and would not be available for jury duty. I never had to show up or anything. I just mailed in the letter. By the time 2007 gets here, I'll probably be doing my residency in another state and get out of doing it all together. But definately go talk to your school office. They should know what the rules for your state are.

 

[Iwy Em Hotep]

I got summoned for jury duty earlier this year. I just brought the letter to my school office, and they gave me a nice form letter to mail in stating that I was going to be a full time student until 2007 and would not be available for jury duty. I never had to show up or anything. I just mailed in the letter. By the time 2007 gets here, I'll probably be doing my residency in another state and get out of doing it all together. But definately go talk to your school office. They should know what the rules for your state are.

Same here. My school has a person who takes care of this for us.

 

[Sweet Tea]

I just talked to my Student Affairs office, and it turns out that being in medical school (or any school) is no longer a valid reason in NC for being excused from jury duty. Which sucks large amounts of horse caca. I'll be showing up at my appointed time, and will then be explaining exactly why I can't stay. It's either that or show up for jury duty in mid-jan, when I'm doing my ob/gyn rotation. Not gonna happen.

This really, really blows.

 

[ruwan]

My roommate has avoided jury duty for years simply by telling them that he no longer resides in that county. Just keep switching your addresses between your med school one and your parents home/permanent address. At least that's been working for him (in CA, between Alameda and Yolo counties) for the last five years.

 

[Su4n2]

my school gave me a letter that basically said that it was not possible for me to do jury duty. i went down there, and they seemed familiar with such letters.

 

[notdeadyet]

My roommate has avoided jury duty for years simply by telling them that he no longer resides in that county. Just keep switching your addresses between your med school one and your parents home/permanent address. At least that's been working for him (in CA, between Alameda and Yolo counties) for the last five years.

I was living in Hawaii for a while and my fiance at my previous address just kept writing "Return to Sender" with a blurb about my not living there anymore and not having a forward address. Popped them back in the mail and I never heard back.

 

[Law2Doc]

I was living in Hawaii for a while and my fiance at my previous address just kept writing "Return to Sender" with a blurb about my not living there anymore and not having a forward address. Popped them back in the mail and I never heard back.

That doesn't mean you were excused 🙄 . Could come back to haunt you if you get pulled over for a traffic ticket next time you are there.

 

[deuist]

Damn. I just called the clerk of court, and I either have to reschedule the jury duty for 6 mos from now (not possible, will be in rotations), or show up at the end of June (also not possible, will be starting rotations). Or, I have to get a new driver's license or an ID card. **** me I do not have time for this crap.

That's what I did to get out of jury duty. I changed my address and told the court that I recently moved and no longer lived in their county. The clerk was pissed, but there was nothing that she could do about it.

If you don't want to go to that extreme, tell the judge that you know the defendent or are blind. You'll be immediately excused from service. Don't forget the cane and seeing-eye dog...