I don't really know where to post this, so I'll post here since I'm having excessive apprehension after receiving a juror summons in the mail today for the first week of December. Maybe everyone else in the whole world doesn't mind jury duty, but it is something I really do NOT want to do. I have a nervous stomach and I'm such a "what if" thinker - "what if I don't feel good on those days", "what if I hate driving in the bad traffic to get there and back and I don't like driving downtown anyway"... I really don't want to be on a jury either or have to sit there all day in that one room with all my hormonal symptoms that may or may not crop up, but because I don't know...I will be anxious. I take Prozac for depression and I can tell you, I'm depressed just thinking about jury duty. Crazy I know.

Can anyone else relate to my jury-related fears? I feel alone wrestling with myself over this supposedly insignificant issue to so many people. Hopefully I can get a doctor's excuse saying I'm under stress, or mentally unstable or whatever.... I don't care...just get me out of it! What if she doesn't give me one though? I'm so worried that I can barely able enjoy my Friday night and I was looking forward to it.

Thanks, Sandy

This exact thing happened to me a couple years ago in the height of my anxiety and IBS problems. I didn't think I could make it. I did go, and found a lady about my age that I sat next to. She said "I dont think I have enough xanax to get through this!" and she laughed. What an ice breaker!! Her and I were praying our names wouldnt be called!! They both were!!!

To my surprise, I did okay. I didn't have to serve, but I had to sit in the courtroom for what seemed like eternity!! I sat in the back, near the door, and that gave me some relief.

I survived the day. Actually it wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought. I made small talk with that lady, and somehow we got through it.

Good luck to you!! I hope you can get out of it, but if you can't.... find the seat next to the door and stay there!

(((hugzzzz)))))

Leanne,

Thank you for this - I was wondering the same back a few years ago, anxiety and IBS like symptoms - if I got called - unless there was a reason that would
be a needed day off from work (since that is basically what it is ). Like a death, surgery, those sorts of "can't reschedule"

sscmack, I hope you can get out of it too, but I agree with Leanne. Find your humor....keep it inside if you need to for the day,
and stay near the door - and finding a "friend" was great.
Court rooms like churches can sometimes be stuff, sometimes cold.
Sitting at the back means you are near the door and air, too.

Wishing you the best!
Hugs,
Mary Beth

I think its fairly easy to get out of. I'm sure you can come up with something if you dont want to do it. I've always wanted to be on a jury. I love to see justice done but I understand how stressful it would be during menupause. You can say you cant do it financially if that will fit. or if you have kids you can use that or you could probably say that your not doing well emotionally and I'm sure that would be enough.

It may depend on what the case is that is being heard but if anyone in your family is/has been a police officer they will usually send you on your way because they are afraid you will not be impartial to an alleged criminal. If you have ever made a claim to an insurance company for personal or property damage they usually don't want you on a jury because you might want to "get back" at insurance companies for not paying what you felt you should have received. Lots of cases are settled out of court at the last minute so you might get picked for a jury and then get sent home right after you arrive.
I use to get an automatic exemption as a nurse because it would be a hardship for the hospital to replace me, but there are no automatic exemptions anymore...and I just got papers today saying I've been selected as a prospective juror for 2010. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that it is a quiet year for court cases this next year!

I was summoned a few years ago,I thought I was going to die.I have three kids and no one to pick them up from school so they let me out of it.I hate the whole jury selection method-I think it should be voluntary.Not all of us want to do that.I hope you don't have to if it really bothers you that much!GOD-bless

I'm summoned every year now, used to be every two years. but dont worry too much because...well atleast for me this is how it went. The summons tells you to call in after 5pm the day before you're to appear. You call in and an automated voice tells you weather you are to appear or wait and call-in after 5pm the next day. if you call in the second evening and are not required to appear the automated voice says your "obligation has been santisfied" and that's that. You never have to step foot in the court house ~ till next year - maybe.

On the first and only time (so far, out of 5 summoms now) that i actually had to appear the judge asks something like "do you think you would be a fair and impartial juror?". I told him "I would, except that i was new at my job, and they didn't pay jury duty, so it would cause a financial hardship because i'm living from paycheck to paycheck". i was surprised and relieved because he realeased me on the spot.

so good luck and keep your fingers crossed.

Hi! I served for two months on a jury, two years ago. I did not think I was going to be able to do it but now I am glad I did. I made myself get up and out the door 4 or 5 days a week. You ladies may not agree with me but it is an honor to serve on a jury. It is NOT that easy to get off from serving these days. Just remember why we serve; it is our constitutional duty and privilege.

Hi All, Yes I served 2 years ago too . Sscmack I was the same as you a nervous wreck about going . I had to drive into the city and I hated that I was so scared . When I got there I met a woman my age and we chatted then I got called but wasnt picked for the case . I was glad about that but also glad I went . Here in Ct you dont get out of it that easy . You will be fine just go . Keep us posted on what you decide ?

P.S. Careergrl, I do agree with you but I dont want to go again ,but if called I will. lol

Thanks for your replies and assurances in case I do have to go and can't get out of it. I would definitely sit by the door, take reading material, etc... but....I did send a letter asking permission to be excused due to my anxiety/depression/ nervous stomach issues, and also that I hate driving in traffic to get to the courthouse. Surely they wouldn't want someone like me (neurotic person that I am) serving on a jury? :-) I should call them, but I'm too nervous so I keep putting it off in case they don't give me the answer I want, but this weight is making me exhausted, all this worry over silly jury duty. I wish I were more normal, and could "shrug my shoulders" rather than "wring my hands" over every little thing in my life. :-)

You ARE normal I think given what we're going through it is totally NORMAL. Hang in there!!!

When I was first summoned, I wrote a letter saying that my husband was scheduled for surgery that day (not true). I thought they wouldn't bother me again, but the next year I got another summons so I just went, afraid I'd get into some kind of trouble if I kept writing letters saying I couldn't attend. I wasn't selected and was able to go home by 2:00. I remember by then feeling just vaguely disappointed that I hadn't been selected, believe it or not. About five years later, I was summoned again. I had to sit in a huge room full of sleepy people reading magazines. I was in great peril myself to try and stay awake and it was only 9:00 in the morning. I nodded off a few times but tried to hide it. They finally called me and I felt kind of excited. We went into a courtroom and the defending attorney asked us a few questions. By then I was really excited, never having had the experience before. The only thing I regret is not bringing anything to read. We had to spend hours in a room and I could have read a whole novel in one day. We got a free lunch and I walked around outside after I ate, because there is a lot of sitting. I actually remember personality traits of all the people that were with me on the jury, and we got into a kind of friendship with one another that would not have happened any other way. We couldn't decide on a verdict until 11:00 at night, so they brought in pizza and salad for dinner. It was really an enjoyable experience--different than anything I'd done. I actually felt I'd miss the people I'd been with, but no one wanted to exchange phone numbers--they just want to get home. It had been a long day, but in retrospect, oddly pleasant.

I got summoned last year and I went into panic.I sent an explanation that I suffered from anxiety and would not be able to focus on the trial.They called and could probably tell by talking to me I would not be a good candidate.So they let me off.

You sound like me!!I get the same way anymore.Don't be so hard on yourself.GOD-bless

I get a doctor's note. Since my anxiety and depression issues are very personal to me and a continuous source of embarrassment, my chiroprator is a doll and will always write me a note. If I had to sit in a courtroom for any length of time I'd certainly freak out. I can't stay in one spot for long any more and even avoid church services because of the claustrophobia issue. Plus, I have vivid memories of being on the witness stand during a very traumatic case when I used to work for the police department. Going into a courtroom triggers the memories and I am certain a panic attack will certainly follow like morning follows evening.

Hi, there...I was in the exact position as you are and I just had my doctor provide me with a "doctor's note" that I faxed to the court. I was excused in the blink of an eye. Don't worry! You won't have to go. Sorry...if someone else's response are similar to mine. I didn't have much time to read through the previous posts.

Well, ladies....thanks for your replies of support and encouragement....and now I am RELIEVED! I was excused from jury duty and I don't have to worry about it anymore (or at least until I am summoned again)

I was going to call today to see if they had received the letter I wrote to them, but could NOT find my juror summons card anywhere. I went online to the courthouse website (I live in AL)...and found an email address so I just sent an email. They responded quickly, and said they had received the letter and that I was excused! It pays to be honest and not be afraid to be open about your anxieties, etc... swallow the pride and admit we don't have it all together ( at least not during this time of hormonal upheaval, and for me, well...never do I have it all together -ha)

So...that was easier than I expected. They probably thought I was a real nut-case as they read my letter, but that's okay because now I don't have to worry about jury duty for now and that is one less stress in my life, especially with Christmas, my daughter's many basketball games, and other stuff. I am really amazed and thankful! I wish I didn't think of the worst first, but my mind is definitely on the "what if" track most of the time. :-) It's wonderful how much better I feel emotionally at the moment. It was truly hanging over my head. Sadly.

Sandy

When i was back in australia i was called to jury duty but i went to the dr and got hims to write a letter saying my nerves etc wouldnt let me do it. So they excused me from it under medical conditions.