sigh I got a notice to serve in a few weeks. I’ve been allowed 4 postponements already so I dont think they’ll give me another break. It makes me mad. Maybe I’m not being fair but really. I dont have a babysitter. I have 3 young boys, different schools and schedules for them to be dropped off and picked up - I run around from 8 am till 3pm to their schools. My mom is back at her house 12 hours away, my sister works full time. So, my hubby will have to use vacation time while I do my civic duty and pray that I’m done with it before he runs out of days. Which also means that he’ll be going to work instead of having a holiday later in the year.
I guess civic duty is considered more important than duty to family…
I have been called 3 times. I went 2 times but had to be excused for 1 time as I had already purchased my tickets for NY. Luckily I didn't get chosen to serve on the Jury, I just sat there, got bored, and then came back home. Since I don't have kids yet, I didn't have any problem going but I do see where you are coming from and the town should give you some consideration. You can always try, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work.
mama I believe the bigggest civic duty is to take care of one's family and raise the kids properly, if everyone was doing that we would not see the type of crime and all we see in some areas.
They dont let you off the hook if you can demonstrate personal hardship?
Not sure Mr F...in the past, I was excused because I had documentation from specialists that my son would not eat unless I personally fed him. There are exceptions for well-documented health issues or severe financial hardship...none for caregivers. Its like they EXPECT you to have a nanny or babysitter at your beck and call. Thats SO typical of this place, not only the courts but anywhere you go here, if you dont have a nanny and have more than one child to tend, youre out of luck and an extreme oddity. I wrote a letter to the commissioner of jurors explaining my situation and we will see what happens.
here's my version: Hubby gets sent for work out of state (been happening frequently lately). I have to take boys out of skool and bring them with me to court so they each have an electronic toy that makes the loudest, most obnoxious sounds. Maybe even does like Barney songs.
...no matter FOB or not. If you can speak english or spanish, you have duty to serve. And since I was raised here and have a vast inability to speak or learn other languages, I;d not be able to use FOB as an exit strategy!
I guess civic duty is considered more important than duty to family...
Jury duty is nothing but an extension of our obligations to our family. It helps civilians decide, who should be on streets and who should be behind the bars. That keeps our children and families live in a safer society
). so dont worry about night court :p. btw i dont think there is any night court 
(court is not a skool 
)