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Denied an Excuse for Jury Duty even with Dr. Note!!

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 4/21/2009 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
I am so angry.

I have bad Crohn's disease. I was hospitalized two weeks ago due to my Crohn's. I got a summons for Jury Duty, and my GI wrote a note explaining my condition and put in his medical opinion I am not well enough to serve. The courts told me I have to report anyway, and denied my request.  Now I'm going to have to report for Jury duty where I'll have to subject myself to more anxiety and embarassment!

What am I to do if I have a BM attack during court proceedings! I'm terrified!

Posted 4/21/2009 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
I was denied excuse also BUT only the excuse from going in the first place. I was told to bring that note with me to the courrt and show it to the judge if I was selected to be reviewed for a trial. My trial was cancelled due to plea bargain, but I was told if I showed the judge my note he would have excused me. I think the administrative staff can no longer excuse and you have to go through the judge.
Take it easy and try not to let this add to your stress. take care....
Posted 4/21/2009 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
I think things are different in each state. In my state, I send the note in, in about 10 days I get a letter back saying I am excused. I have been called 4 or 5 times, with the most recent being last fall, and each time it has been the same. But I know that in other states people have to bring the excuse letter with them. So I would think that you should just take it easy and trust that the judge will not want to have court interrupted multiple times for potty breaks.
Posted 4/21/2009 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Zanne, it probably differs state to state. I got summoned and then had surgery after going to the ER. The summons ended up being 2 weeks after surgery. My mom made a couple phone calls, and they told her all I would need to do is call if I couldn't come. It turned out that the whole week "my number" wasn't called in, so it never became an issue.
Posted 4/21/2009 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Read the advice I wrote here:
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&p=1&m=1081913

My advice is the third down.

Posted 4/22/2009 1:36 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks for all the good advice everyone!

I felt so much better after reading your posts!

Posted 4/22/2009 10:31 AM (GMT 0)
Take the note on the day that you are required to report- Show it to the judge- You will be more likely to get individulaized assistance with the judge on that day.
Good Luck!
Posted 4/22/2009 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
When I was called for jury duty the first thing the judge did was ask if anyone had a reason to feel that they could not serve and I would think that is when your note would do the trick. I also saw one man stand and say that he hated lawyers and insurance companies,( it was that type of case) and had nothing but contempt for the legal system. After only a few minutes of discussion, he was excused. I was not dx with crohns at the time and though I had gut problems I was picked and served. There were many breaks and we did not sit for very long periods so I did ok. I found it very interesting and at times intertaining, as when one doctor testified and made the attorney look like a total idiot. I think it was all the judge could do to keep from laughing. I hope all goes well for you but if you are picked and need to go to the restroom make it known to the judge and I am sure they will take a break for you. Heck, if you interrupt enough, they may excuse you after all..
Posted 4/24/2009 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
even if they dont excuse you, i would ask for a restroom break every 15 minutes till they send you packing.. or just keep getting up and going. if they tell you you have to ask first, say, what is this kindergarten? and it would be an invasion of my privacy to announce in court about my medical condition. also hire a lawyer that is waiting in the hallways for business and get you some money!
Posted 4/24/2009 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Randy,

The reason you have to ask for permission is because every juror has to hear every single thing said during the trial in order to make a fair and informed decision. It is not so much about asking permission as making sure that the trial stops and you don't miss anything. I agree that the op should be excused and if he/she is not should feel free to stop the proceedings as many times as necessary. However, it would not be a reasonable accommodation for the proceedings to continue in his or her absence. Lawyers, witnesses, clients, etc. have the freedom to come and go as they please but not the jurors.
Posted 4/24/2009 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
I was called as a wittness once and I had to go regardless of crohn's. They were very accomodating by saying they would arrange travel arrangements for me to get to the courthouse.
Posted 4/25/2009 9:30 AM (GMT 0)
fitzy, yeah i know i was being "me" and saying what i would LIKE to do.. the real world is of course much harder than my imagination.. :-P
Posted 4/25/2009 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
I told them I would be happy to serve but because of my Crohn's, I would have to have lots of rest breaks. They sent me packing even without a letter.
Dave D
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