Jury Duty Nightmare. Do you get called?

I had jury duty in July and got picked for a trial at the first selection. I started having more anxiety attacks as soon as I knew about the jury duty about 30 days prior and was horrified in the days right before it. During selection and during the trial I was popping Benedryl, and sucking on peppermints, trying not to throw up. They kept picking me to answer questions about my prejudice, or lack thereof and I had to answer questions about a crime I was a victim of because it was similar to the case. I had to answer all the questions in front of the whole courtroom. I was so tense my pain level made me sick, as I was holding all my muscles tight to keep from shaking, though I think the lady next to me could feel the seat move at times and she touched my arm and looked at me with concern.The prosecutor misrepresented the facts, and lied about the defendants actions which really shook me up, as I have fears of people lying or accusing me of false things. The prosecutor and bailiff kept looking at me. I took enough ibuprofin that my stomache burned like fire. The trial took a day and a half. As soon as I got to my truck each day, I would try to relax and start shaking, dry heaving in my floor board a few times, and fought back the tears so I could see to drive home. I never want to experience that again. I was so terrified of being in contempt of court, if I didn't show up, or couldn't finish the trial so I forced myself to do it. The fear of being dragged away to a terrible place to be tortured was my motivation to endure it. I had been in rough shape prior to the jury trial, but it sent my downward spiral to hell a little quicker.

At that point in time I had not sought treatment for my MI, and had no paperwork, or Dr. to back me up. People in my county have a habit of faking prejudice, or telling stories to escape jury duty, so I when I wasn't excused I didn't try anything else.

Wow, if it's hurting you this much then maybe you should talk to the judge; don't they have alternates for jurors? Sorry, I know little of the law, but when I get a jury duty notice I get a doctor's notice and secure an excusal, in the interest of justice. I'm not sound to serve on a jury. My wife was a juror in a trial last year and it was enormously stressful for her, and she's steady as a rock. There must be protocol to replace a juror in the event of illness.

You can excuse yourself, here's the guidance for your state
Eleventh District Court of Kansas - Jury Information
I volunteer as a magistrate in the UK and there's no way we would put anyone through anything like that. It should've been picked up in screening. I really hope you're OK.

It was in July. I just wanted to share my experience, and was curious if others had success avoiding it, or had to do it anyway. I did request to be dismissed for anxiety and health reasons, per the form they sent out. They did not excuse me, even though they should have wanted me off the jury due to the nature of the case and a previous experience I had. I hope when I get called again next year or two, that I can get out of that one.

On a positive note, the defendant was being railroaded, and we found him not guilty of all the serious charges.

I was excused from jury duty. My psychiatrist sent the county a letter stating that I was not fit for duty due to my MI.

Last time I was called, I told the jury manager that I'm bipolar. He couldn't excuse me fast enough. I haven't gotten another summons since.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I don't know why I decided to make the post, I hadn't said a word to anybody about the experience till now. I think I just wanted to put it out there, so maybe I could let go of it easier.

I was the 12th juror on a not very nice case. But, I am sure glad I was there because the other eleven were complete idiots; they were more concerned about finding a unanimous decision as soon as possible so they could go home. At first vote was the only one to vote guilty. It ended up being me who got organized. In the end we found the guy guilty. We found out at sentencing that he had done the same crime multiple times to others. Whew! I am so glad I did my duty then.

A sibling of mine got excused after only informing them of social anxiety, didn't have a doctor's letter or anything.

I sent a letter once saying I couldn't take time off from work and have not been called back. I wonder if you can get yourself off the voter rolls once you are on and avoid it that way?

I'm really surprised you still got picked even though you had been a victim of a similar crime.

I have only been called for jury duty one time and then I was on full time bed rest for a high risk pregnancy so my ob doc wrote a letter to excuse me.

That was a lot you went through, mindwrench.

Yes, you should be able to get yourself removed. Likely a letter from your psychiatrist would do it.