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(Last updated March 6, 2005) |
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Oregon Hall of SHAME! P2 |
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Good News for Oregon residents:
As of January 1, 2000, A bill instructing Oregon courts to excuse a person from acting as a juror if the person is the sole caregiver for a child or other dependent during the Court’s normal hours of operation took effect. (Oregon statute 10.050 )
Click here to learn how determined mom, Tawni Johnson, helped enact Family Friendly Jury Duty legislation in Oregon.
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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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Oregon |
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Tawni Johnson’s Story: ...In March 1999, I was...summonsed to jury duty (by the Washington County Court)... Upon calling the courthouse I spoke with the Judge’s assistant and explained my situation. I explained that I have a baby that I am the primary caregiver of, that I stay at home, that I work at home and that my child is a breast-fed baby as well. I also explained that I could not afford daycare and that I did not have day care arrangements for my child. I was told that, “I have had (enough time) to take care of my (childcare) problems...”. She stated that if I was not available on April 9, 1999 for jury orientation that I could be arrested and put in jail! We hear speeches from politicians and others about “children first”, but yet our system would allow a parent to be held in contempt or be sentenced to jail because their first choice is their child not their civic duty. This is a punishment and does not take into consideration the children, and basically is abandonment of your child in the words of the law. |
