Can an ASD diagnosis get me out of jury service

almondswirl19 · 2021-09-11T14:09:43+00:00

I have ASD, I've never been called for Jury service so far however like with everyone there is a possibility that I will one day. I don't want this to come across wrong in any way but could my ASD diagnosis be a way for me not be forced to do it. The reason why is I just wouldn't want to do it so I just wonder whether I could get out of doing it.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 11/09/2021 15:14

Well how does your asd manifest itself and how would it affect your ability to weigh up the evidence?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 11/09/2021 15:15

Nah. If anything, it could easily make you a very good candidate for being on a Jury.

But then again, I've never been called up, so you could just be overthinking this in the first place and will never get the letter which gives you the reasons where exemption can be applied.

VainAbigail · 11/09/2021 15:16

You have to give reasons for not being able to do it and an ASD diagnosis and “I don’t want to” isn’t good enough.

XenoBitch · 11/09/2021 15:18

I believe you would need a note from your doctor to get out of Jury service on the basis of a diagnosis anyway.

waterBottle78 · 11/09/2021 15:19

Yes it can

Explain to them in detail all the ways it may affect you and they will be fine about it.
I had similar and I explained how I can’t cope with new people and situations , that travelling there would be overwhelming and how I genuinely didn’t want to do it

waterBottle78 · 11/09/2021 15:19

@XenoBitch

I believe you would need a note from your doctor to get out of Jury service on the basis of a diagnosis anyway.

I did not need a doctors letter

Waspsarearseholes · 11/09/2021 15:22

Lots of people don't want to do jury service. It can be very inconvenient and triggering for many people. Is your ASD pertinent in not wanting to do it? Would it be unbearable for you to do it? Or would you just rather not? Having an ASD diagnosis in itself won't be enough to get excused but if jury service is something you would genuinely struggle with if asked to do it then a note from your doctor supporting your claim should be enough. You shouldn't be forced to do something that would have severe consequences for you.

lilmishap · 11/09/2021 15:23

They send a letter and if you give them any old reason they'll likely accept it. No-one wants to do it and the courts know that, they also know people who don't want to be there are more likely to not turn up or dick about.

DeletedByAccident · 11/09/2021 22:18

Can I ask if you have anxiety? Just wondering as you haven’t even been called up but you are concerned about the possibility. Anxiety is a reason to not do jury service.
I was called for jury service, I sent the form back with an explanation that I have anxiety & depression and said I would be happy for them to contact my dr to have it confirmed. I never heard from them again.

CallMeNutribullet · 11/09/2021 22:23

You need to have a better reason the I just don't want to I'm afraid. If your ASD diagnosis means you'd be unable to be objective or might be more deeply impacted that's maybe different

TheNarwhalBalloon · 11/09/2021 22:30

Yes it's totally possible OP. Autism - which, just as a reminder for previous commenters, is a disability affecting your communication, how you interact with the world, and causing significant social and behavioural challenges - could make it a very difficult experience for you and if I am ever called up I will refuse based on my autism.

motherofcatsandbears · 11/09/2021 22:44

I was called up for jury duty in 2002. I was nervous but really got into it and loved it.
I’m hoping I will be called up again.
Give it a chance if you’re called up - you will be surprised at how interesting it is.

XenoBitch · 11/09/2021 22:46

@motherofcatsandbears

I was called up for jury duty in 2002. I was nervous but really got into it and loved it. I’m hoping I will be called up again. Give it a chance if you’re called up - you will be surprised at how interesting it is.

I have never been called up but know several people who have. Their experience has been the same as yours. They all found it interesting and would do it again.

Hont1986 · 11/09/2021 23:13

The ASD by itself wouldn't be a reason you couldn't do it, but maybe there is some symptom that would make it difficult for you.

However "The reason why is I just wouldn't want to do it" isn't going to cut it!

Fluffypastelslippers · 11/09/2021 23:16

Yes. I got called up and emailed them saying I struggle processing information and don't have the ability to make good decisions. They replied really quickly confirming I didn't have to do it.

Moelwynbach · 11/09/2021 23:42

You can't define all people by their diagnosis. You need to explain how your ASD affects you and take it from there.

TheNarwhalBalloon · 11/09/2021 23:59

I am feeling frustrated by some of these answers - ASD by itself totally is a reason to be excused. It is a disability which affects communication and social interactions. Autism does vary from individual to individual, but those elements have to be present for autism to be diagnosed. It is a perfectly valid reason to be excused from jury duty.

Gilead · 12/09/2021 01:29

It is a perfectly legitimate reason and is accepted by the courts.

People with ASD can be terrified by this sort of thing, and people who don’t know for sure but think well, it’s not really a good enough excuse should not reply, you’re compounding the worries.

LadyWithLapdog · 12/09/2021 01:32

It’s a great experience to see how the justice system works. I’d do it again.

Gilead · 12/09/2021 03:12

I did jury service at 22. I’m 63 now and can still remember every detail. I was distressed for months. Those of us with Autism can relive things and it can be grim.

KrytaSeraph · 12/09/2021 03:49

I got excused from jury service a couple of years ago, I explained the reasons I just explained why I felt I couldn't with my asd, the stress of being around strangers, struggle with processing the information and I would not be able to cope in an environment like that basically.

Kanaloa · 12/09/2021 03:55

Well I think if your asd involved symptoms/difficulties that would make it unbearable or very difficult for you then yes you could use it to get out of doing jury duty.

But if it really is that you ‘just don’t want to’ then I would think not about whether you can get out of it but whether you should. Most people don’t want to do jury service.

Fluffypastelslippers · 12/09/2021 07:14

@TheNarwhalBalloon

I am feeling frustrated by some of these answers - ASD by itself totally is a reason to be excused. It is a disability which affects communication and social interactions. Autism does vary from individual to individual, but those elements have to be present for autism to be diagnosed. It is a perfectly valid reason to be excused from jury duty.

This. 100%.

I would also lay money on the fact OP 'doesn't want to do it' because they have said difficulties.

People saying 'it depends how your autism affects you' don't seem to have much understanding at all. I think too many people get hung up on 'common traits' and completely forget or are unaware that the most important factor is the diagnostic criteria which needs to show deficits/impairment in several areas. These will be absolutely enough to be excused from jury duty. Nobody needs to compile a huge list or provide evidence of how their autism affects them.

TheNarwhalBalloon · 12/09/2021 10:26

Thanks fluffy. It seems like people think autism is just being a bit quirky or having a great memory or something. ALL autistic people will struggle with communication and social difficulties. They may be great at masking this so you don't realise the challenge of it, but that doesn't mean it isn't a daily part of their lives. It's literally part of the criteria for being diagnosed as autistic.

LadyWithLapdog · 12/09/2021 10:29

I’d had thought it depends how it affects you. You wouldn’t want a blanket discrimination from certain jobs or activities because you have autism.