Jury Duty

Got a "summons for jury duty" today and it's kicked my PTSD into high gear. I'm shaking and wanna puke.

When I was a kid around the ages of 11 through 18, my house was constantly being raided by the cops. I watched my brothers get kicked and beaten by the men in blue many times. Because we were fatherless, they thought they'd do my mother a favor by stepping in and kicking some sense into "those punks."

Most of the cops knew my father before he died and I've often wondered if those punches were "in his honor" or not.

I can't tell you how many times I was in a courtroom watching one brother or another being hauled out in handcuffs and locked up for a year or two.

I have trouble with the law. I don't know if I can handle this.

(((((((((((((((((((((((orange_blossom)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I'm sorry

read the fine print...maybe there is a way to get out of it. I got summoned for jury duty, and didn't have to go, because I homeschool my kids and have to be here with them!

There may be medical/psychological/whatever exemptions....

I think you can get a doctor's note saying that you can't do jury duty. My mother did that because of heart problems. And also if your on disability you can have your name taken off if stress is a problem for you.

I agree with susie2009,

a doctors certificate should get you out of it - worth finding out about

Thanks everyone. I guess I'm going to have to talk to P-doc. Sigh. I feel like a wimp asking to be excused.

Hi Orange Blossom,

It is very triggering to receive jury duty. A letter from your P-doc can provide you with an out. With the supportive evidence apparently you can be excluded from and further call up in the future as well. Often jury duty comes in three call ups with in 12 - 18 months. Also another side is that if you attend you may very likely not fit the criteria of the prosecution or defense and therefore be challenged out. They do ask a lot of questions of many potential jury candidates which results in the exclusions of individuals.

Can you contact the court registrar and ask what paper work is required be omitted from jury duty?

Best wishes I hope it works out for you.

Tired12

Heavy sigh.

I did some research and found out I can fill out a form online and ask for Jury Excusal, then send in a letter from P-doc.

I see her on Thursday so I will *GULP* ask.

I'm sure she'll do it, but I HATE-HATE-HATE having to ask someone for help. Hate it.

but its good that you are going to ask - well done!

Don't be congratulating me too soon, lol. I can change my mind, ya know. I have petals for brains.

petals are very strong - they bend with the breeze but do not break

so CONGRATULATIONS

((((((((((((((( Orange )))))))))))))))))

(((((((Orange))))))))

Thanks for the support everyone.

I'll let you know if I get up the guts to ask P-doc on Thursday.

All I keep hearing today is the damn, loud, click-a-click of a gun cocking. I was terrified the cops were going to kill my entire family. Including me. It wasn't long after my father died so death and dying were on my mind a lot. I know, I know. I was, as my mother called me, a "dramatic" kid.

I dont think thats being dramatic - I think thats having had trauma - dont be hard on yourself - I know what its like to have things runnning around in your head -its no fun - try and distract yourself if you can - thursady will soon be here - take care

Thanks phoenix,

I guess I should break down and take a Klonopin. I'm trying hard not to use them but my mind is racing out of control, and I'd take Tylenol if I had a headache . . . right?

There is sooo much in my head that I have to stop and "move" stuff around if someone asks me something so I can concentrate. Amazing all the many things that can go on inside your head yet you're able to carry on in auto-pilot and get things done. I think I need a good primal scream too.

If you end up going to the court for jury duty. They will ask you questions. All you have to do is tell them "you cannot be impartial or objective".

Excellent point emilyjeanne, thanks.

You should be able to get out of this, people do all the time for a lot less important reasons. I don't think you will get to questioning phase, unless you missed a deadline for returning paperwork or something. But yeah, if you do get that far just say you have PTSD and just being in the court room is triggering for you. Believe me, they don't want to put anyone through any harm, and if you became badly triggered and couldn't finish, and they didn't have a substitute, they would have to throw out the trial. Nobody wants to do that.

Thanks exoticflower,

You're absolutely right. That makes total sense. I always thought it was very hard to be excused for jury duty.

With the recent loss of my mom and two other family members (yesterday my cousin died, one week and a day after his mother, my favorite aunt died) one look at me right now and they'd all run the other way.

Hi Orange Blossom, a note from your doctor explaining your situation should be sufficient. It was for me when I needed to be excused from jury duty. There was no way I was in any condition to be sitting on any jury and expect to serve justice well.

Thanks Calm. That's very reassuring.

Poor p-doc. I see her tomorrow. She better have kleenex handy, lol.

I sent her a truckload so its all good ok (lol) - take care

Not one tear at p-docs. Not even a sniffle. No sadness at all. I told her about the recent deaths in my family and how selling my mother's house yesterday was very emotional for me but telling p-doc didn't phase me in the least.

I am very upbeat and in a great mood today and I just don't care about anything right now. I feel like I could fly.

She wrote me a note to get out of jury duty and all is well again in the world of blossoms.

Thanks for listening to me complain.

Wonder if she'd add that on to my bill.

its ok it was a complimentary truckload -

glad things went well with pdoc