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Iowa Hall of SHAME!, p2 |
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Disclaimer: Legal information is not legal advice. Only a lawyer can provide you with legal advice. |
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(Last updated September 1, 2005) |
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If you have been mistreated by the Courts in this way, or if you know of others that have, please click on the letter to e-mail me and share your story! |
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Iowa |
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In early 2004, Joanne Lake was called for jury duty at the Clinton County Courthouse in Iowa. When she requested to be excused in order to care for her 23-month-old daughter, the judge rejected her request outright, totally dismissing Joanne’s obligation to her child. Here is her story: I'm a stay-at-home mom of a 23-month-old girl. When I was summoned for jury service by the Clinton County Courthouse in Iowa, I wrote a letter requesting deferment based on my inability to find alternate care for my daughter. I was distressed to find out my request was denied!
I then went in to speak to the judge at the Clinton County Courthouse. I explained that I have no family in this town, my husband works full-time, as do all my friends. He told me that my husband could take vacation from his job. I explained that it was not possible. The judge, totally disregarding my family’s situation, just kept on repeating (with a pompous smirk on his face) that my husband could take off from work. He then went on to lecture me about my civic duty. I responded that I was already fulfilling my civic duty by taking care of my child and raising a good person. I was told that I could get a deferment to later this year. I explained that my situation will not be any different later in the year -- my daughter will still only be 2 and my husband's work schedule will be even worse then. I'm so angry at the flippant, arrogant way in which I was treated by the judge. Why can’t they defer me until my daughter is school-aged? |
