<p>Calling all attorneys: My child just received a summons to jury duty in the state where he attends college. Is he obligated to go? Is he considered a resident? Or is that immaterial? Which college administrator should he ask for advice and possibly assistance to get out of duty? Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>Why doesnt he look on the summons and see what it says? Full time students are usually excused from jury duty. The last time I was summoned for jury duty there was a place to fill out reasons that you would not be able to do it. My daughter was called for jury duty here in PA while she was at college in IL. She just sent in the note with an explanation and was excused. Would have been a long commute. : ) My guess is that he registered to vote in that state and that's how they got his name. If he's taken the responsibilty to vote then they assume he's good enough to be a juror.</p>
<p>It all depends on the jurisdiction--you might find your answer at the college website, if you search. Williams students--and I assume the rest of Massachusetts students--are expected to serve on the local jury, if called. They are understanding about colleges schedules, and willing to be flexible, though.
[quote]
Is my student eligible for jury duty while at Williams?
Yes. Jury selection includes all Massachusetts inhabitants, who are American citizens 18 years or older and who reside in Massachusetts for 50 percent or more of the calendar. There are virtually no exemptions; however jury duty in the Commonwealth is of short duration and one is allowed to schedule duty to suit one's schedule. Contact the dean's office for more information.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Not the answer I was hoping for, driver, but very helpful. Massachusetts is where my son attends school. I can't imagine when jury duty would be convenient for a college student.</p>
<p>Why does he want to get out of jury duty in the first place? I know it's sort of a pain and trying to get out of it has become a game for some, but it can actually be interesting and eye-opening. Why doesn't he just show up and see what happens.</p>
<p>Worrywart, my post crossed with yours. Jury duty isn't convenient for anybody -- which is why courts are so reluctant to excuse people.</p>
<p>When I'm called for jury duty, my employer understands and doesn't expect me to be working during the time I'm on duty.</p>
<p>If my college student son is called for jury duty, his professors won't be as accommodating. They will expect him to keep up with the lectures and problem sets he misses. And I don't find that double burden to be appropriate for a full-time student.</p>
<p>worrywart, if you find there's a MA exception for students, I hope you will post to let us know, since that's where my son would be called also.</p>
<p>Is there any chance he's either registered to vote or has a driver's license in MA? Those are the lists from which jury pools are usually chosen here. How would they have gotten his name otherwise?</p>
<p>My daughter was called last year during regular school session, and was able to postpone until Williams' Winter Term (right now) where she really wouldn't miss much except a ski day or two. I don't think she's been re-called for an actual trial, though, as of now. I'll see what else I can find out. She had no trouble at all getting out of the first call, just as you or I wouldn't have any trouble getting a deferral for a legitimate reason such as a long-planned vacation, etc.</p>
<p>mootmom, I really appreciate your post. I was beginning to feel like Scrooge for resenting the burden that this summons places on my son. Not only is it a hardship for someone without a car to get to jury duty and a considerable source of stress to miss lectures, labs, and recitations, but I personally have a problem with the thought of his skipping classes for which I'm paying $200/hour. To answer your question, he is a registered voter and holds a drivers license in our home state so I have no idea how they got his name.</p>
<p>I agree with you worry, and my daughter is also registered and licensed outside of MA.</p>
<p>*If my college student son is called for jury duty, his professors won't be as accommodating. * </p>
<p>Why not? I can't imagine any professor that wouldn't respect a jury summons -- and in any event, university profs are subject to the same laws that govern everyone else. The reason your employer is so accomodating is that it the law requires it. </p>
<p>Jury notices generally allow the person an opportunity to reschedule, and they come well in advance of the time the service is required - so if the notice is for finals week or something, it can be put over to another day. </p>
<p>I was called for jury duty in college and never had a problem with it. I remember my college boy friend was called -- and was seated on a jury -- and they ended up electing him foreman. It was an interesting experience for a youngster in his early 20's. (I don't remember what the case was about or how it came out - but I think the trial took several day or a week).</p>
<p>I don't know the system in MA, but in my neck of the woods, people call the presiding judge of the court if they need to be excused. It doesn't say that on the notification form; folks just know to do it. If a person has a reasonable excuse the judge will work with him. For local jury duty, we're on call for six months. (That's right - six months!) When I was first notified for jury duty, I talked with the judge and told him my schedule. He arranged that I wouldn't be on a jury on days when I had something going on, which was all but a few days of those six months.</p>
<p>In most jurisdictions, you can postpone jury duty one time. For example, many teachers postpone until the summer break. You will need to check what the summons says. There are usually very clear directions to follow. I know vacation time isn't convenient either...but postponing until then might be an option.</p>
<p><<why not?="" i="" can't="" imagine="" any="" professor="" that="" wouldn't="" respect="" a="" jury="" summons="" --="" and="" in="" event,="" university="" profs="" are="" subject="" to="" the="" same="" laws="" govern="" everyone="" else.="">></why></p>
<p>Ditto. I don't mean to be a pollyanna here, but I absolutely believe that jury service is a civic duty. It's an inconvenience for everybody. I wish it were better organized and run more professionally, but it's not and its the system that we all live with. </p>
<p>For what it's worth, I'm an attorney for a company and when my CEO got his notice, he asked me to "get him out of it". I refused and told him I'd be happy to call the court and see if I could find a time that was not as inconvenient. But I absolutely would not try to get him excused. Not a pleasant conversation . . . but when he did go and was actually chosen for a panel he had a great time. Couldn't stop talking about it when he got back to the office. </p>
<p>The court wants to work with you, so please call them and work something out. But looking to get totally excused would be a BAD idea.</p>
<p>My son was called to testify as a witness in a case last year, and they rescheduled it for summer, so instead he missed two days of work. (He'd rather have missed school.) But he's been called again, and will have to miss school this time if the case isn't plea bargained out before trial. I was kvetching about this to some of my friends and one of them - a retired Court Commissioner - laid into me about giving my son the wrong message about civic responsibility. [lecture] Ticked me off, but he was right. We're not talking about drafting these kids and sending them off to war, we're asking them to take three or four days out of their normal schedule to perform the honorable duty of sitting in judgment over a serious issue involving their fellow citizens. It's a burden to just about everyone (except retirees, I suppose) but how the heck else are you going to find a "jury of your peers?" (Chances are the people involved in the legal action will find your son more "peerlike" than old Aunt Hattie.) I'd be surprised if a college professor would not make allowances - even go out of his or her way to do so - under the circumstances. I'd suggest you and your son view this as an opportunity to embrace, not a burden to be avoided. [/lecture] I'd also note that there's usually a lot of "down time" for jurors, so your son should have plenty of opportunity to hit the books even if he's seated on a jury panel.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Massachusetts has recently changed its laws for jury selection to include all Massachusetts inhabitants. This means that any U.S. Citizen, 18 years or older who resides in Massachusetts for 50% or more of the calendar year is eligible to be called for jury duty. The main impetus behind this change it to include a broader range of jurors. The previous selection process relied on voter registration lists and thus limited the diversity of jurors. In addition, under the new laws there are virtually no status exemptions (e.g., under previous laws, all teachers, legislators, etc. were exempt. This is no longer true). Therefore, unless you do not satisfy the basic qualifications of an eligible juror (see Part A below) it is likely that you will have to serve. However, you should keep in mind that the laws have been modified both to shorten the length of jury duty and to allow you to schedule your duty at a convenient time. First, check Part A to make sure you are not exempt from jury duty. Then, if you do not qualify for an exemption, check Part B for suggestions on how to plan your jury duty.</p>
<p>Part A. Students exempt from jury duty in Massachusetts.</p>
<p>You are exempt from jury duty if any one of the following conditions are true. Note that if you are exempt, you still need to return your forms indicating to the Jury Commissioner the reason(s) for your exemption.</p>
<p>1.</p>
<pre><code> You are under 18 years old.
</code></pre>
<p>2.</p>
<pre><code> You are not a U.S. Citizen.
</code></pre>
<p>3.</p>
<pre><code> You have served on a jury (anywhere in n the U.S.) within the past 3 years.
</code></pre>
<p>4.</p>
<pre><code> You have committed a felony in the past 7 years.
</code></pre>
<p>5.</p>
<pre><code> You will not be residing in Massachusetts for 50% of the calendar year. This means that any senior leaving the state by July 1 is exempt. (Indicate this exemption by checking box #5). Note junior year abroad students are not exempt and must serve jury duty.
</code></pre>
<p>Part B. Students Who are Not Exempt --How to Plan for Jury Duty</p>
<p>1.</p>
<pre><code> Choose a day that is convenient for you. You are allowed one automatic postponement of up to a year. Keep in mind that 95% of jurors serve 3 days or less and it is most probable that you will only have to serve 1 day. This is because even if you do have to appear in court, you may not get selected as one of the jurors. In addition, at the judge's discretion you can be dismissed from serving on trials lasting for more than one day.
</code></pre>
<p>2.</p>
<pre><code> If you are on standby status, call the Courthouse in Pittsfield after 3 p.m. the day before you are scheduled to serve. Ninety-nine percent of potential jurors in Berkshire County are placed on standby status. Notification of status is through the mail about one week before your scheduled date. If you are placed on standby, call the Courthouse the day before your are scheduled to serve to see if it is necessary for you to appear in court. If you are not needed, you do not have to go to Pittsfield and you will have satisfied the jury duty requirement for one year. If you are needed, you will have to go to Pittsfield (see below). If you do not receive standby notification, you will automatically have to appear in court on your scheduled date.
</code></pre>
<p>3.</p>
<pre><code> Arrange for transportation to Pittsfield. You will need to be at the Courthouse at 8:30 a.m. for an orientation meeting (a 20-30 minute film and brief explanation of procedures). Following this orientation you will have a chance to request that the judge limit your service to one day. (You might explain to the judge that you are a full-time student with a difficult schedule, transportation difficulties, grade problems, etc., - if applicable.)
</code></pre>
<p>4.</p>
<pre><code> If you have further questions contact the Dean's Office or call the Office of the Jury Commissioner (1-800-843-5879) or Pittsfield District Court, 43 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA (clerk's office 413-442-5468).
[/quote]
It's worth noting that any and all professors and administrators in this jurisdiction are also eligble for jury summons, so of course they have a built-in reason feel some empathy. I think mootmom's point was that someone else can fill in for you at work, but someone else can't fill in for you in class.
</code></pre>
<p>driver, your last post is invaluable. Thank you ever so much for sharing.</p>
<p>Here's the summary of my daughter's recent MA jury experience:
Got the summons a few weeks before spring break.
Requested and received an extension...specified that January would be preferable (due to Williams' "Winter Study" month), which was agreed to.
Got a notice 2 weeks ago that she had been named as a standby (she was already back up there).
Called the next day, and was not on the list asked to report.
Is back to skiing, partying, and taking some silly course on cartoons. Real classes start next Thursday.
So.....she's good thru next year, unless she ends up in Boston for grad school in Fall of '07.</p>
<p>Well, what if you don't want to do it?</p>
<p>I don't get how someone can get called for it if they aren't a resident. Odd??</p>
<p>If you don't want to do it, you can be held in contempt of court, arrested, fined, and even jailed. Students are allowed to vote in their college's state because they're considered residents, based on the fact that they have an address and live there for most of the year. You have no idea how Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College distort our local politics where I live. I'm not happy with it, but it is what it is. I'm not sure that they have to do jury duty here, though.</p>