[anais_anais]

Have any of you been able to get jury disqualification for mental illness through your T? What were your experiences? (Asking in the USA, Massachusetts specifically)

I just got summoned and I am automatically exempt this time around because I already served recently, but last year I was placed on a jury for

Possible trigger:

a case involving a suicide

and without going into details it was massively destabilizing for me and I was unable to complete the service. I was thinking at the time that perhaps I'd qualify for an exemption in the future due to ptsd but I forgot about it until this week's summons arrived.

I currently see a PhD and an LMHC, and my suspicion is that the PhD's statement would be more likely the one taken seriously. She's moving this year so perhaps I should pursue this sooner.

[unaluna]

I think you might need an MD's letter. Like GP or Pdoc, on letterhead or prescription pad.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I'm in CA. I got my jury notice this year, and I put on there that I had a mental illness. I didn't need a doctor's note or anything.

[ruh roh]

There was a poster on the couch who got her pdoc to write a letter. I'm not sure about other mh professionals, but I am sure they would accept anything that indicated an inability to participate objectively. In my case, I just fill out that I have been a crime victim, as well as dv, and have law enforcement connections in family.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I've been excused twice with a letter from my pdoc. I think I had to deliver it in person to a clerk of the court and get it stamped and then I was out of the pool for that jury.

[Wonderfalls]

My husband told them on the phone that I was being treated for bipolar. They sent me a letter that said "Under the circumstances" you are excused. Back when I was pregnant I just sent in a form they included and that was that. A letter from your therapist or pdoc is overkill I would think. (Thinking about it though it seems pretty biased to excuse anyone automatically for either of those "conditions.)

[UnderRugSwept]

My county asked for the reason I was asking to be excused on the form I was to mail back in, and also that any supporting documentation be attached. Like una said, they asked that any physician note be written on letterhead or a prescription pad. My pdoc wrote a note on his prescription pad for me, which I sent in with the form I filled out, and I was excused.

If you want to not serve on a jury, when the lawyers ask if you have any beliefs that would prevent you from being impartial, tell them you believe in jury nullification. The prosecutor will dismiss you so fast.

But on topic, I imagine that una is right. It'd make sense to me that you'd need a medical doctor note. No personal experience here.

[waterlogged]

I also think there would be a way that even if there's not a way of submitting something ahead of time, if you show up for your summons, you may be able to express to the judge why you are unable to sit on a jury.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by ruh roh

There was a poster on the couch who got her pdoc to write a letter. I'm not sure about other mh professionals, but I am sure they would accept anything that indicated an inability to participate objectively. In my case, I just fill out that I have been a crime victim, as well as dv, and have law enforcement connections in family.

Yeah, I got out of it once because of being a crime victim. Was in the courtroom, and they asked if anyone had been a victim of any sort of similar crime. Had to go up and say what had happened, and defense attorney was like, "Nope! She's out."

Possible trigger:

that crime involved a mugging at knifepoint, and I think the trial may have been assault or attempted murder with knife, or something like that.

But I would imagine that a letter from your T or pdoc could get you out of jury duty. Or, at least when I went, they usually ask a bunch of questions in the courtroom, and I thought there may have been one that was like, "Any reason you couldn't be objective." I would think PTSD would fall under that.

[bookgirl667]

My psychiatrist wrote me a letter and I was officially disqualified the last time I got a summons. Don't know if they will or will not send me another one in the future.

[Hairball]

I wrote a letter to the judge and he told me he completely took my name and social security number off the list. I haven't been called since and that was about 10yrs ago.

In Honolulu, a letter from your Pdoc is a ticket for an express train out of jury duty.

[lilypup]

I checked "mental incapacity". My husband then wrote a quick note, took it to pdoc and he signed it. Sent it in and have heard nothing since.

I think I could probably sit on a jury, but why risk it? It seems like a headache.

I once (years ago) told the clerk I had bladder problems and was immediately excused.

[anais_anais]

Thanks everyone.

Yeah, regardless of the subject matter of the case, I am reasonably certain I cannot sit on a jury for the required amount of time, either way. For the same reasons why I'll probably never be able to handle a career that isn't freelance.

My experience was similar to LonesomeTonight's, except mine was sexual assualt. The defense lawyer didn't want me to be part of the jury. Although I would be interested in serving as a juror, I'm glad I wasn't selected.

Coincidentally, my T cancelled/rescheduled next week due to jury duty. I hope he doesn't get selected. Knowing him, he wouldn't want to leave his client's without a therapist.