Author Topic: Jury Duty for 90 year old woman? (Read 1226 times)

Frances · « **on:** July 21, 2013, 02:52:05 PM »

:judge:----The summons says "Must serve.". :surprised: :shocked: :geezer:
My 90 year old mother has just been informed that she "must serve" on a grand jury, or she is subject to fine and imprisonment. This, despite a doctor's note that she is unable to drive due to macular degeneration, walks with a walker, is deaf in one ear and has 40% hearing in the other, cannot sit for periods exceeding one hour, must have ready access to a restroom, and suffers from vertigo.
I love my Mom, but she is not fit to be on a jury. In New York, there are no age limits to prevent accusations of "ageism". Her name was picked because she owns a house. The court at which she "must appear" is 50 miles away. Anyone else out there have this sort of problem? She's hoping she'll be dismissed after a day.

Telesphorus · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2013, 02:55:54 PM »

Very pushy people in authority there.

ShepherdofSheep · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2013, 03:07:38 PM »

My grandmother was 89 or 90 when she was called to jury duty fairly recently. My mother contacted them and she was "dismissed". It was absolutely no trouble.

That's outrageous that they expect her to serve.

claudel · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2013, 03:50:16 PM »

Dear Frances,

Unless your mother has received a summons to jury duty by certified or registered mail, you ought to tear up the notice and toss it in the bin. No summons is actionable without such proof of delivery. I know at least a dozen people who have succeeded in staying out of the government's clutches using this strategy for thirty years or more.

If your mother lived in a small state, things might be different. Here in New York, however, the cost of enforcement far outstrips the benefits the government gains from harassing its elderly and disabled citizens.

I omit, of course, the possibility that some power-mad little bureaucrat has got it in for her. As with the IRS—which has hounded me for a decade or so despite the fact that my income since illness disabled me has never even got close to twenty grand—nothing short of a bullet to the brain is often sufficient to stop such degenerates. I hope she isn't in circuмstances like these.

Marlelar · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2013, 07:25:46 PM »

Most of the written notices try to sound pushy because so many able-bodied people want out of jury duty. However given your mother's conditions you should try contacting the jury office and requesting a permanent waiver. Call them first, they are usually much more helpful over the phone and will tell you what docuмents you need to submit and who to send them to. They know that someone who is nearly blind and partially deaf will never be picked.

Marsha

Spork · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2013, 07:06:12 PM »

Having to give up our freedom to decide not to do jury duty is one of the many freedoms we have to give up in order to maintain our freedoms. The American Way.

Frances · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2013, 07:52:56 PM »

:judge:
Thanks, all. She has letters from three doctors. My bro.-in-law will drive her on the appointed day to present the letters. Among the items that must be addressed by a physician, is a statement of HOW LONG the medical condition will prevent jury service, and the month and year at which the patient will be fit for service! Calling is useless. There is no way of reaching an actual human through the menu. New York state is notorious for their run-away bureaucracy. In recent years the juror list has been expanded to include the dead, infants, children, the preborn-still in the womb!, dogs and cats, a cockatiel, a horse, and a Buick Skylark! A few years ago, as a newlywed, a work colleague was summoned to appear in two courts in different counties at the same time. One summons was in her maiden name, the other, in her married name. I don't know what she did.

Viva Cristo Rey · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2013, 07:54:21 PM »

Quote from: Frances

:judge:----The summons says "Must serve.". :surprised: :shocked: :geezer:
My 90 year old mother has just been informed that she "must serve" on a grand jury, or she is subject to fine and imprisonment. This, despite a doctor's note that she is unable to drive due to macular degeneration, walks with a walker, is deaf in one ear and has 40% hearing in the other, cannot sit for periods exceeding one hour, must have ready access to a restroom, and suffers from vertigo.
I love my Mom, but she is not fit to be on a jury. In New York, there are no age limits to prevent accusations of "ageism". Her name was picked because she owns a house. The court at which she "must appear" is 50 miles away. Anyone else out there have this sort of problem? She's hoping she'll be dismissed after a day.

That is discrimination right there she was selected because she owns a house. 50 miles would be travel hardship for most people of any age. Wear and tear on car. And cost of gas
It is a great injustice.