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Apr 11, 2011, 10:39 AM
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Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 5,518
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I got a notice to appear downtown next month for grand jury duty service, but the notice isn't really for me. It was addressed to my previously married name. I changed my name when I got married in 1992 and notified all the appropriate authorities to change their records. Under no circumstances do I go by my previously married name. Every once in a while I get junk mail and political propaganda addressed to my old married name, but I've never received a notice for jury duty under that name. 
I'm been terminally ill and disabled since 2004, diagnosed in 1996. I'm homebound and mostly bedridden now. I AM excused from jury duty under my legal name. The hospital where my records are kept have no record of me under my married name - my doctor is unavailable. They don't have the authority to fill out any excuse forms for what is basically a fictitious name. 
However, if I don't appear in court or produce a medical excuse, I will be FINED.  I don't have someone who can drive me around, and I can't take public transportation. 
It's not MY fault they haven't corrected their records since 1992!  I refuse to ask my husband to take off work to do all the footwork for me - he could lose his job. I refuse to ask my son to take off school to do all the footwork for me - he's already got way too much on his plate. 
There's no way I'll be able to show up for jury duty, and there's no way I'd be able to get in a medical excuse. I don't want to be fined for something that is NOT my fault and I have no power to fix!!! 
Last edited by KathyM; Apr 11, 2011 at 11:37 AM.
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