[UpDownAround]

Does a type II bipolar dx get you out of jury duty? My psych NP would write a note. I guess it's true that I can be prone to irrational decisions.

[Rosan7534]

Originally Posted by UpDownAround

Does a type II bipolar dx get you out of jury duty? My psych NP would write a note. I guess it's true that I can be prone to irrational decisions.

I'm curious too, I just got a notice for jury duty and I'm type II also

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I'm type I but I've been given excuses for jury duty twice based on inability to concentrate, unstable moods, high fatigue level, etc. from my pdoc withu any questions.

I don't think anyone with bipolar disorder is automatically excused from jury duty. There are a heck of a lot of people with bipolar disorder that lead high functioning lives. Why would they be excused?

I do think that if you have a mental illness and you're doing poorly, and/or your doctor thinks jury duty would exacerbate your situation, then you should be excused. I've had my doctor write a letter to excuse me from jury duty for those reasons. They accepted it.

If you went to jury duty and the case involved issues that would make a person with a mental illness unattractive to one of the lawyers, you would then likely be ruled out as a juror. I guess given that, it may be worth mentioning your mental illness in some cases during the juror interviews.

[~Christina]

My state its a automatic no thank you .. Even with out BP I have chronic pain that would not allow me to sit for long periods of time.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

I really don’t know how it is in my state but every time I got a notice, I called and explained and was STILL asked “well WHEN will you be able to?” And never hear back anyway.

[Guiness187055]

I just went and served.

[Naynay99]

I feel like unless you truly cannot handle showing up to court for a week to serve due to severe MI symptoms of an episode, it is important to serve. In order for people to have a fair trial with a jury of their peers, all populations of people should be represented-including us...

Personally I have showed up for jury duty and made it to the questioning for jury selection and there is a list of qs you have to answer and if you say yes to them you have to explain to the jusge. But history of a MI wasn't on there, at least not in my state or town. I have never gotten picked or had to come back after serving a day, though I actually reallyw anted to.

I Would think if disclosed MI would be treated like any other medical condition though. Idk.
Take care.

[Tucson]

I think if you will be up front with your illness and tell them how you are managing, I think that would be helpful to the lawyers. However, if you are not coping very well, I would have my pdoc write a letter for you to take with you. Still, my own pdoc would do this for me if I just tell him that I am having problems managing, and he would do this without question. I hope this helps.

[UpDownAround]

The ADHD and brain fog is actually more of an issue than BP unless I happened to have an episode. pdoc isn't really sure what causes the fog; I have a neurologist appointment on Monday to rule out physiological causes. Not too worried; if it was a tumor, I would be dead five times by now. But I cannot force myself to pay attention sometimes. That really pisses people off; they take it personally when my eyes glaze over and I completely tune them out.

[lilypup]

I have gotten out of it with a signature from my pdoc. I agree that if you feel well you should serve, it is only fair. But I am not doing well in general and would probably cry at the least little thing. I am mentally fragile. Since I got signed off not to it, they have not asked again.
I did my fair share of serving when I was younger.

[Unrigged64072835]

I've had notes written for severe anxiety. I don't know if my nurse will write one, though.

[Chuck1970]

With doctors note,no problem.

[Tucson]

I remember being in a grand jury. I liked to be there. However, my employer convince them that my absence is significantly effecting their business. I did not agree. I still had to go back to work.

I was called earlier this year. Bipolar or mental illness was not on the questionnaire, but you could speak to the staff or judge privately if needed. I’m sure a doctor’s note would work. I wasn’t having a problem at that time, and I was (and am) working, so I didn’t see a way out of it.

I was rejected by the defense attorney anyway. People in my profession are typically tossed out by defense attorneys.

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by Tucson

I remember being in a grand jury. I liked to be there. However, my employer convince them that my absence is significantly effecting their business. I did not agree. I still had to go back to work.

One spooky thing for me is I am a contract employee. No paid time off and unlike regular employees, no guarantees that your job is still there if your absence is extended.

[Tucson]

Yes, I have been in the same position. They are not too tolerant of missing days for a contract worker. They expect more out of such workers compared to their employees. So I understand what you are saying. Jury duty can last several days or more without being able to give them a relabel return date. So unless they can afford to be flexible, I agree this can place your job at risk. Perhaps you can give your client the choice? They may surprise you, and then maybe not. I guess the easier solution is to get out of jury duty. See if your pdoc can provide you a letter explaining why your mental state would prevent you from jury duty, which may be true or not. I think you agree that work is much more important than jury duty. FWIW