Jury Service - what if you have small DCs?

[TheseThingsAreGoodThings]

Anyone else been called up for Jury Service and have very small children?

Did you manage to defer or get an exemption?

I will fill in the form to let them know that with 2 pre-schoolers and no childcare that Jury Service will be very difficult,

But would like an idea of my chances to get off this.

Its such a shame becuase I have allways wanted to do Jury Service

[mustdash]

That happened to me, I think DDs were 4,2 and 1 at the time, and I was excused. I just filled in the form saying that I could not get childcare. Which was true - it wasn't that I was trying to get out of it.

[Collaborate]

I got excused as I would have lost so much money through not being paid that I wouldn't have had enough coming in to pay my usual contribution to the bills that month. They'll let you off.

[Catslikehats]

It depends where you are how much of a problem they are having getting jurors. Plenty of courts wont allow you to defer just because of childcare and none will give you an exemption.

[BigHairyGruffalo]

They pay child care costs, so unless your children can't be without you (for example- if you're breastfeeding) you should be fine. Best to call them and speak to them about it.

[MindtheGappp]

If everyone will small children get exempted, they won't be able to make up balanced juries.

[rockinhippy]

Not with DCs, but I managed to get an excusal because I was self employed & had a order to get out - it wasn't really a big deal, but it was at the Old Bailey & having just sat in on a panel of Jurors up to be chosen by defendant & had the case details read out realised I could be there for a VERY long haul, which as interesting as it might have been I didn't want to waste that much time - so I went & spoke with the Clerk of Court, who despite my not really having the best of reasons as I did have staff at the time, was very understanding & excused me completely :) - so I would advise speaking with the the Clerk of Court & laying it on thick about your worries about leaving such young DCs for an unknown length of time - I'm sure you'll be let off

[areyoutheregoditsmemargaret]

You'll be fine, I was summoned a year or so ago and said, truthfully, I was self employed and had two small dcs and no alternative childcare. They'll excuse you, don't worry.