summons for jury duty

[frustrated7]

As many of you know, I am unemployed and trying to find a job right now. I have been on a couple of interviews and have another three coming up. I just received a summons for jury duty today, for dates at the end of this month and start of next. ARGH! How am I supposed to handle this? I don't want to mention it during interviews, because I don't want to be passed over because I may only work a week or two and then have jury duty. I also don't want to not mention it during an interview, get a job offer, and then on the first day of a new job say surprise. I have no problem with serving on jury duty, but not now, this is horrible timing. I desperately need a job and this could interfere with my ability to get one. Does anyone have any ideas? Could I request that this be postponed til later in the year, and by then I will have settled into a job and been there a bit? Anyone?

[hamburgervol]

You can write to the court and asked to be dismissed. State your reasons for wanting to be dismissed. I've been summonsed twice, got dismissed both times by simply writing a letter to the judge and asking to be excused because of other obligations I had.

[rockyroad]

You can reschedule your appearance up to four months at a time and I believe you can do this twice...at least in my county. Should have the info somewhere on the summons or online.

[BigJohn]

I have gotten out of jury duty about 5 times so far. Just recently I got my notice to appear. I went down to the court and told the clerk I could not make it. She asked me for a doctor's excuse. I told her I couldn't afford to go to the doctor's to get an excuse. She then asked me my doctor's name and she faxed her some forms to fill out. About 10 days later I got a letter from the courts excusing me.

[shabam]

Just use my excuses. I am biased and disagree with the legal system as a whole. If you're rich, you get off. If your poor, you're screwed. God help you if your crime involves money or touching a rich man's money. Then you are f----d, to the power of 10.

Quickest trip to and from the court ever. Never tried it on paper though, to save my time from even going.

[Flowers]

Get the job offer first, then you can negotiate your start date and contact the jury office to delay the jury duty.
Just get the job offer first.
Do not mention it during your job interviews, that time is reserved for the job, your expertise, and the company.

[Amy26]

I got summoned for jury duty once... I just wrote in big letters on the form "I AM NOT A REGISTERED VOTER" and sent it back.

[jribe]

usually the judge will let you out of jury duty if you have a compelling reason. I would say that interviews and such after being unemployed is necessary and they should let you out. Call the court and find out the procedure..

As many of you know, I am unemployed and trying to find a job right now. I have been on a couple of interviews and have another three coming up. I just received a summons for jury duty today, for dates at the end of this month and start of next. ARGH! How am I supposed to handle this? I don't want to mention it during interviews, because I don't want to be passed over because I may only work a week or two and then have jury duty. I also don't want to not mention it during an interview, get a job offer, and then on the first day of a new job say surprise. I have no problem with serving on jury duty, but not now, this is horrible timing. I desperately need a job and this could interfere with my ability to get one. Does anyone have any ideas? Could I request that this be postponed til later in the year, and by then I will have settled into a job and been there a bit? Anyone?

[jribe]

plus, if you do get one of those jobs: 1. they have to let you go to jury duty by law (in most states) and 2. you get paid (in most states). They can't discriminate against you for going to jury duty. It's something that we all get asked to do at some point..

[Ifonly]

I don't know, in my state we were very clearly told by the judge when we showed up (and in the letter summoning us) that employment was not an excuse. He basically said that you could be a neurosurgeon and you wouldn't be excused. LOL

I would just keep the summons, go on interviews, DON'T mention it on interviews and if you get a job offer, then show them the summons. It shouldn't be a problem. I've started new jobs when I've had vacations scheduled for 3 weeks later - I just told the employer when they made me an offer and took the time without pay.

I would get the jury duty over with. Better now while you're unemployed, then in the middle of a new job. Besides, it could be interesting!

[liz417]

I know I my state, you can claim "undue hardship", state you are unemployed or just recently got a job (hopefully ) and it will cause a "burden" to your finances. I've never used this excuse, but I've extended it quite a few times. I think you should get the job, then extend the JD for a few months later.

Good Luck job hunting